The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By August of 2019, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Introduction– The Book of the Twelve is also known as the Minor Prophets. They all focus on similar themes and are best studied together. They seem to fit into the story line of the OT through themes of sin, judgment, and restoration of God’s people.
Covenant – Arguably, everything in the Minor Prophets deals with the idea of the covenant. Israel has drifted from their covenant obligations, and the Minor Prophets are there to address the issue, each in their own way.
Hosea – Hosea prophesized in 8th century BC before Israel was ever exiled to Assyria (722 BC). Hosea instructs Israel to be faithful to God as a man is to his wife. This is further spelled out through the marriage of Hosea to the prostitute, Gomer. The sin against Yahweh is not merely a breaking of the covenant. For it is also betrayal against one’s eternal love. God desired for Israel to acknowledge His Lordship in the economic worship as well as the religious worship. Instead, Israel strayed and rebelled against God and forgot their Creator. The sin discussed in Hosea did not discriminate as priests, prophets, kings, and other rulers each fell into betraying Yahweh greatly. Israel was threatened with the curses of the covenant for their sin. Hosea predicts that Israel will soon be defeated by their enemies and exiled to Assyria.
Joel – The punishment discussed in Joel is a reflection of their failure to abide by God’s covenant even though he never uses the word covenant. Instead, we hear a great deal about “the day of the Lord” as is discussed below.
Amos – Israel had special status as God’s chosen covenant people. Amos discusses God’s provoked anger by their desire to abandon justice and scheme against the poor. Amos focuses on the judgments that will come as a result of Israel’s sins. They will run from their enemies when in battle. The nearing disaster that awaits Israel is a result of God fulfilling His prophetic word. Amos stopped judgments that God threatened to send through prayer, but eventually covenant judgments would precede the exile. God sent them so Israel would repent and run towards Him, but they failed to do so.
Micah – Micah prophesied in the latter part of the eight century BC and had many connections with Isaiah in text. In Micah, God is a witness against His people from the temple and sees them committing idolatry, coveting, and stealing. Micah explains that Israel should walk humbly, do justice, and love kindness. However, they ultimately turn to violence and theft instead.
Habakkuk – There is no definite date, but it is estimated to be written in the late 7th century. Habakkuk predicts the Babylonian exile for Judah at the hand of the Chaldeans. The punishment would be a result of their violence, immorality, and failure to uphold the law.
Haggai – Haggai begun a new period for Israel (520 BC) in which the exile is real and troubling. The nation had endured exile yet had also experienced God’s mercy in allowing them to return to the land. Still, Haggai had to rebuke the people for neglecting to work on the temple and focusing on their own needs.
Zechariah – Zechariah began his work at the same time as Haggai and was also focused on rebuilding the temple. He reminds Israel that the threats against them are still a possibility, and they must repent to avoid judgment.
Malachi – A date is not given, but Malachi is widely accepted as a post exile book. Israel is promised great blessings, but Malachi challenges them to continue living under the covenant. He recognizes that the core issue is their failure to both fear and respect Yahweh’s sovereign reign as well as their doubt of God’s love for them. Yahweh’s name would be made great and glorified for all the nations as promised. However, Malachi urged the people to repent of their ways. The priests were intentionally dishonoring God, the unrighteous were marrying women who did not worship God, and they were not giving Yahweh what was rightfully His. The righteous heard the message and encouraged one another to repent as they “feared the Lord and esteemed His name.”
The Day of the Lord – The “day of the Lord” is referenced many times in the Book of the Twelve. It represents both the day of judgment as well as covenant salvation. This section will focus primarily on the reference of judgment. The idea of the “day of the Lord” is closely related to God asserting His rule over His kingdom where He will judge the wicked and save the righteous.
Joel – Joel describes the devastation of the locust invasion over Israel. Israel is encouraged to lament and grieve the loss. The invasion is no accident. The punishment is a manifestation of God’s judgment of His people. Joel uses apocalyptic language to describe the day of judgment. Because the people returned to worshiping God, he removed the locus and restored their land. Joel teaches that God forgives if Israel repents.
Amos – His focus on the “day” is to rebuke those who are actively desiring God’s day of judgment. Many forget that it will be a day of darkness.
Zephaniah – Zephaniah is written in the 7th century BC before Judah’s exile to Babylon (586 BC). He reminds us that those who don’t worship and obey will be consumed. He describes the judgments in cosmic terms as an almost “uncreation.” Judah is facing the judgment for its failure to uphold the covenant, and emphasizes the sin of the priests and leaders. Zephaniah uses the term “day” to describe both the judgment and the salvation to emphasize that there will be both. It is also clear from the words of Zephaniah that there will be judgment and salvation before the final “day of the Lord.” We also are reminded that the coming judgment will not only affect Judah, but all nations. Jerusalem is predicted to face judgment for their rebellion and oppression of others. The city refused to listed to God, and they will face the consequences accordingly.
Obadiah – Obadiah references the judgments that will be poured out on Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC. Judah will be punished, but he also warns Edom that their judgment is coming as well. Edom/Esau is a metaphor for all ungodly powerful nations who hurt and threaten God’s people. The nation of Edom is ordered to avoid gloating over the judgment of Judah for they too will be judged. This judgment against Edom represents God’s salvation for Israel. It is in this that we are reminded that God is king over the whole earth.
God’s Rule over the Whole World – God is Lord not only over Israel and Judah, but also the ungodly nations. He promises to judge all for their sins and transgressions, and His rule over all the nations is evident throughout the Minor Prophets.
Amos – God’s Lordship is emphasized where many nations are judged for the evil they have committed (1:3-2:3).
Nahum – Nahum predicts the judgment of Assyria. The judgment represents the victory and therefore power over evil kingdoms. The Lord is described as jealous and will avenge His enemies with His wrath. Other nations’ gods and kingdom will fall to show Yahweh as the one and only supreme king. Nahum describes the battle against Assyria in Chapters 2 & 3 in frightening terms.
Habakkuk – Yahweh raises up Babylon to judge Judah. This decision leads Habakkuk to question the goodness of God since Babylon is far eviler than Judah. God reminds him to wait and trust that someday justice will be served. The vengeance will not be immediate, but “come it will.”
Jonah – Jonah comes after Obadiah to correct assumptions. Jonah desires for Nineveh to be destroyed for their wickedness, but God wants to remind Jonah and its readers that He desires salvation for all. He sends Jonah to proclaim judgment upon Nineveh so that Nineveh would have the opportunity to repent. God was gracious to Jonah in his unwillingness to obey as well as merciful to Nineveh for their transgressions. Yahweh displays his sovereign rule by orchestrating the series of events that allow Jonah to arrive where he was intended to go and do what he was intended to do. Jonah reminds us that God is good and desires to save. However, it is not simply His own people, but all the nations that God desires to save.
Future Promises of Salvation – God’s coming kingdom will bring joy and be a blessing to the entire world. This salvation will bring about an even better Eden.
Hosea – Israel’s abandonment is not the final word from Yahweh. One day, Israel will again live as God’s children and receive His grace. God will remove the joy they find in the idols and allow them to realize that Yahweh is the only way. He also indicates that the return to God will not happen anytime soon. When it does happen, they will seek their Davidic king. This is significant as Hosea is prophesizing to the northern kingdom who have rejected Davidic kings, yet are reminded they will return. They are told that Yahweh will heal their wounds and on the third day give them life. We now know this is referring to Christ’s lifegiving resurrection. The promise of healing mirrors Jeremiah and covenant of peace mirrors that of Ezekiel.
Joel – Joel emphasizes that the salvation will extend beyond Israel into other nations. All will be judged by God, and only those who call on God will be saved. After the judgment, we are told there will be a new temple and a new Jerusalem, anticipating the vision of John sees in Revelation.
Amos – Amos also anticipates the future Davidic king. He describes how Israel will conquer its enemies, Edom. The coming king will save both Israel and the Gentiles.
Obadiah – Obadiah discusses the judgment of Israel’s enemies which in turn symbolizes the salvation of God’s people. Some will escape the trap of the enemy and go up to Mount Zion with the Lord. Ultimately, the book discusses God’s coming rule will take down the malicious intent of powerful nations and restore the holy remnant to receive the promised blessing under God’s kingship. God will rule from a new temple and a renewed Zion.
Micah – Micah reminds them that exile is not their final reality. Yahweh will organize His remnant and bring them back to their land. The return is aligned with the coming of the kingdom. Here, we learn details about the coming Messiah who will come from Bethlehem as well as the tribe of Judah and will be a shepherd and ruler of the people. Micah closes with a future description of Israel reminding them that though they have fallen in darkness, they will again rise in the light.
Habakkuk – Habakkuk does not clearly discuss the idea of salvation. However, it does discuss the judgment of Babylon. This judgment will be a “uncreation” of the evil ways. Habakkuk emphasized victory over the oppression and in a sense, anticipates the deliverance and therefore salvation from their enemies. The book is a call to have faith in God’s promises.
Zephaniah – He recognizes that the salvation will reach the Gentiles. He discusses future worship in which the whole universe is Yahweh’s temple. Zephaniah reminds that only those “who seek refuge in the name of the Lord” will be invited to enjoy the future blessing. In the coming of the kingdom, the primary emphasis of the book, there will be no more evil. Yahweh will reign and dwell with His people.
Haggai – Haggai focuses on the need to rebuild themselves and the temple. God promises to “shake the heavens and earth” to rid the oppressive enemies. God’s kingdom will be established through the rebuilding. Specifically, through Zerubbabel, as a descendant of David. Therefore, the people need to rebuild in population, temple, and city so that God may fulfill the promises He made to His people.
Zechariah – The book focuses on the coming kingdom of God. This kingdom is discussed primarily as one in which God’s presence is with His people. Joshua is symbolically washed and made clean to represent a coming servant as the “Branch” who will atone for Israel. We of course recognize this to be Jesus. Canonically pointing forward, Zechariah predicts a time where the king and priesthood come together to unite unlike ever before. Chapters 9-14 of Zechariah are apocalyptic and difficult to interpret. It discusses a humble king who will come to save. There will also be a time for false teachers to be judged accordingly, the people to regather, and a new Israel to be established. “It is impossible to be in relationship with God unless we are prepared to be ruled by Him.” Ultimately, those who reject His rule will be ruled by evil and judged accordingly. Both the king and shepherd discussed in the book are assumed to be the same Messiah. The order of salvation of God’s people, judgment and destruction of enemies, and a new created is established with regards to the fulfillment of God’s promises. The universe as a whole will be God’s new temple.
Malachi – Malachi focuses on how God’s name “will be great among the nations.” We are told that a messenger will come to purify the people. Those who do not follow the law will be destroyed, but Elijah will restore God’s people to repentance before judgment ensues.
Themes: God will judge Israel for their unwillingness to live according to the covenant. God is sovereign over both judgment and salvation. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounds in steadfast love. A future is coming where God’s enemies will be judged, God’s righteous people will be saved, and God will reign with His people in a new creation.
Interlude: A synopsis of Judgment and Salvation in the Prophets
The prophets do not continue the storyline of the OT but, instead, enhance it. Most prophets are written in a time before the exile and warn Israel and Judah about the dangers of forsaking the Lord. However, a few come during and after the exile to reflect on Israel’s state. Essentially, the prophets are all discussing that God reigns for His own glory both in judging and saving all people.
The people of God have not upheld the covenant and, therefore, are instructed to repent or else they will suffer judgment. It is made clear that there will be days of judgment before the one final judgment where repentance will no longer be an option. God will judge the wicked, but the prophets warn Israel that they too are living like the wicked in sin. Therefore, the time of judgment will not be pleasant. The warning is especially emphasized for the prophets, priests, and kings who failed to lead and teach their people well.
However, the prophets also remind Israel that exile is not the final word. God promises a new exodus as well as a new creation and covenant. The Lord will write the law on their hearts and pour His Spirit over them. The paradise will be greater than any other paradise, because it cannot be tainted. God also promises a new temple. However, the exile will last longer than many imagine. Many will rise and fall before the new kingdom of God is ushered in. This kingdom will be ushered in through the new David who will shepherd Israel with care and love. Israel will experience the return from exile only if they repent and their sins are atoned for through the servant of the Lord. This atonement will be for all nations, not only the Jews. God’s name will be great among the nations, Jews and Gentile alike.