Week 10: God of Judgment and Mercy

Pre-Exile Prophets
These men prophesied to the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel in the time leading up to the exile.

• Hosea is the first to appear, though he was the last to prophecy in the Northern Kingdom before the Assyrians took them into exile. He was told to marry a prostitute and then, when she inevitably cheated on him, he was told to take her back. Through these circumstances, Hosea is an example of God.  He also married an unfaithful bride – Israel. But what does God do? He takes her back. Does she deserve it? No. Will God take us back? Yes. Do we deserve it? No.
• Joel prophesied during a time of severe drought and a plague of locusts. His main message to the Israelites is that the day of the Lord is coming, bringing judgment before restoration.
• Amos spoke of false religiosity. He told the people that God was not interested in religious routines, but rather in the heart of His followers. Amos foretold that Israel would face judgment, but God would be merciful.
• Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. He prophesied against the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. They took advantage of Judah when they were attacked by the Babylonians. But God repays injustice.
• Jonah is the most well known minor prophet because of his compelling story. He runs from God, gets swallowed by a large fish, and is purged once he finally repents. But what happens when he finally gets to Nineveh? This book teaches us that no one is outside the realm of God’s mercy and compassion.
• Micahsaw the coming judgment for Israel, but he also saw the coming restoration. The Lord sentences Israel for her crimes, but God will not stay angry forever. Micah also told of the One who would come out of Bethlehem to “be our peace.”
• Nahum also had to preach to the people of Nineveh. Many years after Jonah, the repentant people of Nineveh sunk back into sin, and Nahum came to proclaim judgment. This time there was no repentance and God did not let the guilty go unpunished. They did not realize that God is the true shelter of peace for those who trust in Him.
• Habakkuk lived in a time of violence, conflict, and injustice among God’s people. God tells Habakkuk that He is raising the Babylonians to come and bring justice to Judah. But the Babylonians were worse sinners than the Israelites. Why would they be chosen to bring the judgment to Israel?
• Zephaniah came after Habakkuk to proclaim the judgment to come. But the people of Israel were ignoring God, saying, “The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.” Zephaniah proclaimed judgment, but, echoing the future message of Jesus, he also preached that there is security and safety in the Lord.

Post-Exile Prophets
These men prophesied to the Israelites when they were released to return to the Promised Land and rebuild the temple. This took place in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.

• Haggai urged the Israelites to reorient their priorities. When they were being discouraged by their neighbors, they became stagnant and stopped rebuilding. How did Haggai respond? He proclaimed the glory and majesty of the temple to be a symbol for peace and blessing – which would inevitably point them to the coming Messiah.
• Zechariah was a prophet and priest who had the difficult task of receiving a series of complicated visions. Fortunately for him, and for us, an angel was sent to interpret what he saw. Over and over again, we are pointed to the branch who would come, to the messianic offspring of David, to the day when a Good Shepherd would suffer for His sheep, to remove sin and purify God’s people.
• Malachi is the final prophet to write an Old Testament book. The temple was finally rebuilt, and Malachi came to remind the people not to turn away from God like their fathers did, but to patiently serve Him. God will fulfill His promises. There will be a Messiah. And His coming will be preceded by a prophet like Elijah, who we all know to be “John the Baptist.”

Matthew 1 – 26:56  As Malachi closes out the Old Testament, you’d expect Matthew to pick up where he left off, right? Wrong. There are 400 years of history that takes place between the testaments – and much has happened.

The Israelites are conquered again, the temple gets desecrated, a family of priests lead a revolt against the Syrian Seleucid Empire, Greece conquers much of the surrounding land, Rome grows to be more powerful than Greece, and Israel is set up under kings who have to answer to the Emperor. Enter King Herod and the census, and we’ve made it to Matthew chapter 1.

As you read the Gospel of Matthew, try reading it from a 1st century Jewish perspective. Matthew was a Jew and he was writing the account of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension in light of all the books you just read.  This is when reading the Bible in such a short amount of time begins to pay off! Now you can finally start putting together the pieces from many of the Old Testament cliffhangers.

Mike Bingham, Florida

On to the New Testament. Having traveled through the Old Testament it’s nice to arrive and meet Jesus the Messiah! Have you noticed how much the Old Testament is quoted in just the first 4 chapters? Thus saith the Scriptures! Confirming and validating everything that had been said. The Word is alive! Having read the Old Testament as fast as I did I love how I see the New Testament in a whole new light. How is everyone who is on track doing? Don’t quit. This Bible bus we are on is on a non-stop course to Revelation:} ALL ABOARD!

Jim Martenson, Michigan

Why quote Exodus when we’re at the end of the Old Testament? Because this verse concisely states who God is and how He revealed Himself throughout history. This verse shows up again and again in the Minor Prophets, and it is what we should all have in mind when reading about God in Scripture.

“Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” – Joel 2:13

How many times do we need to be reminded of who God is? The Israelites needed to be reminded again and again. When we read God’s Word and discover His perfect plan for redemption – we can’t help but respond with thanksgiving and praise.

This week, find the many different ways you can worship the Lord through the reading of His Word. Try to find out something about God that you never knew before and give us your thoughts in the comment section below.