(REFLECTIONS ON Micah 4:1-13) There is an image in today’s Scripture of the labor pains of giving birth. The “kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem” in verse 8 gives us the image of Jerusalem, personified as a daughter, waiting for the restoration of the kingdom and the fulfillment of God’s promises. However, God’s people in Micah’s […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Micah 3:1-12) 1 And I said,“Hear now, heads of JacobAnd rulers of the house of Israel.Is it not for you to know justice? Yes, it is for them to know justice, but what happens when those in positions of authority rather than knowing justice, know only evil and bring about destruction, pain, and anguish […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Micah 2:1-13) There the people of Judah are late in the evening, planning, plotting, and setting things up to their advantage. These actions aren’t by accident, but are strategically planned. When they should be at rest and asleep, Judah plans, plots, to “rob a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.” However, […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Micah 1:1-16) Micah saw the judgment of the Lord concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. As a prophet of the Lord, when the prophet’s heart aligned with God, he said, 8 Because of this I must lament and wail, I must go barefoot and naked;I must make a lament like the jackalsAnd a mourning like the […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Jonah 4:1-11) What was Jonah’s initial problem? Was it that he did not hear the Lord clearly? Was it that he was confused what the Lord wanted him to do? No, it was that he processed what the Lord commanded him to do through himself. Jonah made it about him, rather than about God. […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Jonah 3:1-10) 1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Jonah 2:1-10) Yes, Jonah’s prayer is significant. It shows Jonah sinking deeper and deeper into the sea and then the Lord saving him from death by appointing a great fish to swallow him. Perhaps what is more significant than Jonah’s prayer, is from where the prayer took place. 1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Jonah 1:1-17) Jonah was called to go to Nineveh, the future capital city of Assyria, the enemy of the Israelites. How could he go to the enemy to proclaim a message of repentance from the Lord? So, although the word of the Lord came to Jonah saying, “Arise” and “go“, Jonah tried to flee […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Obadiah 1:1-21) The vision of Obadiah concerning Edom. Who is Edom? The nation of Edom is the descendants of Esau. Esau was the older twin brother of Jacob, who later became Israel, father of the Israelites. Esau was deceived by his brother Jacob of his blessing and birthright, and even before birth they were […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Amos 9:11-15) 11 “In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David,And wall up its breaches;I will also raise up its ruinsAnd rebuild it as in the days of old; The fallen booth of David as written in the New American Standard Bible translation refers to the fallen dynasty and kingdom […]