Minor Prophet

MINOR PROPHETS

INTRODUCTION

 Genesis – Malachi – old Testament

Mathew – Revelation –New Testament

Genesis – Deuteronomy – Pentatench

Joshua – Esther – Historical books

Job – Song of Solomon – Poetical book

Isaiah – Daniel – Major prophets

Hosea- Malachi – Minor Prophets

INRODUCTION TO MINOR PROPHETS

Without call, there is no prophet. Call and Vision are necessary for the prophetic ministry. The Hebrew word for prophets is called “Nabhiim” white the greek word for prophet is called TIPOQETES (protetees) which means the expounder of God’s words. The schorlars grouped the prophets into two groups

1.     Escatic prophets

2.     Classical prophets

ESCATIC PROPHETS

They are the prophet regarded as the 7^th centrury prophets. They started thier ministry in 639BC- 608BC.

Some of the prophets under this group are

1.     Zephaniah

2.     Jeremiah

3.     Nahum

4.     Habakkuk

CLASSICAL PROPHETS

Concerning the classical prophets, they are the 8^th century prophets and the prophets that were in this category were;

1.     Isaiah

2.     Hosea

3.     Amos

After some development, the scholars re divided them into three groups

1.     Pre- exilic Prophet (awon woli siwaju igbekun)

2.     Excilic Prohet (awon woli ninu igbekun)

3.     Post- Exclic prophet (awon woli leyin igbekun)

A.    Some of the pre-exilic propher were refers to as 8^th century prohets and they are;

i.                 Hosea

ii.               Micah

iii.             Isaiah

iv.             Amos

v.               Habakkuk

vi.             Jeremiah

B.    The exilic prohets are;

i.                 Isaiah

ii.               Daniel

iii.             Ezekiel

iv.             Zach

v.               Mal

vi.             Haggai

vii.           Isaiah

C.    Post exilic prophet are

i.                 Haggai

ii.               Malachi

THE TERM; MINOR PROHETS

The disignation “Minor prophet” is given to the last 12 books concluding the old testament cannon. They are thus distinguished from the four greater prophets that is Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekieel and Daniel which are known as major prophets

The reason why we used minor for these 12 prophets are

1.     They are minor only in that they are differ in extent and volume of material

2.     They repeated the principle of what the major prophets had spoken about and recorded again and again

3.     Some of these minor prophets were contemporary of the major prophets for example Hosea, Amos and Micah were contemporary of Isaiah and all of them prophesied during the time of Jotham, Hezekiah and Ussiah the kings Judah

These minor prophets were vigorous men, rugged, uncompromising with unrighteousness. Therefore they realized their responsibilities is to present God to the people. For instances; Amos refused to be intimidated by Amaziah.The priest of Bethel and also JeroboamII who was also trying to close the mouth of the prophet Amos 7:10-17

      On the other hand these 12 prophets called minor prophets were surrounded of the disobedience and rebellion of their people. They suffered because of the spiritual blindness of their nation and rejoiced at the prospect of the better day.

3.      

HOSEA THE PROPHET

NAME AND THE CHARACTER OF HOSEA.

            Hosea is one of the classical prophets that worked before the exile. Hosea was one of the minor prophets, we call them minor prophets because of the time they used to work which was very short Hosea 1:1-11. This prophets began his minsistry during the time of Jeroboam II to the fall of the northern kingdom in 721 BC. Prophet Hosea is a contemporary to Amos (they were colleagues and worked at the same time.)

KINGS IN ISREAL, FALL OF ISREAL AND RESTORATION

SAUL

DAVID

SOLOMON

REHOBOAM

                                                REHOBOAM                                      JEROBOAM

                                    Souhther kingdom                              Northern kinddom

                        Judah- Jerusalem                                            Isreal – Samaria

                        19 kings                                                                      19 kings

Fall in 586 bc through babylonia captivity                Fall in 721BC through Assyria captivity

Restored back in 538BC                                                         never return till date

19 NORTHERN KINGS

1.     Jeroboam

2.     Nadab

3.     Baasha

4.     Elah

5.     Zimri

6.     Omri

7.     Ahab

8.     Ahaziah

9.     Jehoram

10.  Jehu

11.  Jehoahaz

12.  Jehoash

13.  JeroboamII

14.  Zechariah

15.  Shallum

16.  Menahem

17.  Pekahiah

18.  Pekah

19.  Hoshea

19 SOUTHERN KINGS

1.     Rehoboam

2.     Abijah

3.     Asa

4.     Jehoshaphat

5.     Jehoram

6.     Ahaziah

7.     Jehoash

8.     Amaziah

9.     Azaraiah or uzziah

10.  Jotham

11.  Ahaz

12.  Hezekiah

13.  Manasseh

14.  Amon

15.  Josiah

16.  Jehoazah

17.  Jehoiakim

18.  Jehoiachin

19.  Zedekiah

The name Hosea came from the same Hebrew word as the name Joshua and Jesus e.g

Hosea – Yoshea

Josua – Yeshua

Jesus – Yesus

These three names has the same meaning in Hebrew language which named salvation or deliverance

It means salvation or Jehovah is our salvation .it means help or deliverance

            Hosea was a native of Northern Israel because he speaks so often of Places in the Northern kingdom places like Lebanon, Tabor, Samaria, Betthel, Jezreel and Ramah

            Hosea uses the word of “Ephraim” not less than 37 times in referring to the Northern Israel. It is often used in the old testament in referring to the Northern kingdom. In all that in wrote, it is clear that Hosea was deeply aquianted with the Northern Israel (He was born of Norther Israel). He loved it. He new all its activities, it’s national aims, and history through which it had gone. His writing shows a deep feeling and sympathy for his country that only a native prophet could had.

            Hosea in the Northern kingdom may be compared to Jeremiah in the southern kingdom. Hosea also was presented and in this way pointed forward to the sufferting of Christ. Both Hosea and Jeremiah loves their country, and both had a strong heart yet gentle religious characters. Jeremiah openly spoke about his grief over his country’s sin Hosea shows his grief without intending to do so. Jeremiah was more a thinker and a theologian; Hosea was a poet. His book is a poetic sermon. It also speaks the gospel more full than most of books in the old testament. This is not because there are special prophecies about Messiah in it. It is rather because centruies before Christ came. Hosea  had preached the new commandment of love which the gospel proclaims. Hosea was the first of the prophets that understand the truth that God is love. He was the first to preached that Israel’sgreat sin was that she did not appreciate the love of God. Therefore Hosea may be called saint John of the old testament

THE TIME OF HOSEA

The tittle of Hosea’s book is formed in Hosea chapter 1:1 which says the word of the Lord which came to Hosea theson of Berri in the days of Uziah, Jothan, Ahaz and Hezekiah the kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash the king of Israel”.

POLITICAL CONDITION OF ISRAEL IN THE DAYS OF HOSEA

Hosea began to preach in the time ofgreat Prosperity of Israel and he ended up his ministry when the country has lost its greatness and was full of lawlessness. During Hosea’s early years, Jeroboam II was a great King, He stood as the head of a proud military dictatorship of true decendant of Jehu. In his days the Israel was at the height of her military power. The second book of kings tell us that when Jeroboam died, the kingdom began to fight with one another. Politicians plays their own interest above the interest of the country. Princes become immoral, kings were set up who had no authority and they came to an end shortly like a chips upon the water (ifoofo lori omi). Hosea 10:7.  

The National power was seriously weakened.

            Jeroboam was the last really strong in Israel, out of the six kings who reign after him, only Menahem died naturally. Conspiracy is the key words of this time. 2kings chapter 15.

            Zechariah the king ruled for six month, shallum ruled for one month. Not knowing what to do, the kings learned first one way, then another to obtain foreign help. They paid tribute (isakole) first to Assyrian, then to Egypt until they lost their independence, their strength and their wealth. At last they had to became powerless slave of Assyria.

SOCIAL CONDITION IN ISRAEL IN THE DAYS OF HOSEA.

            When Israel’s independence was gone, it soon began to loose everyting else. To a patriot like Hosea (olooto omo ilu). It was terrible to appeal to foreign government for help. Hosea 8:9, 10:6 such a course was no remedy for the nation’s moral sickness Hosea 5:13 without realizinf it, Ephraim became old before its time gray hair were sprinkled upon him and he did not know it. Hosea 7:9. All classes of society sank lower. Even the priests became bandits and rejoice in the sin of the people because  it increase their income, things from bad to worse util the prophet exclaimed “There is no faithfulness or kindness and no knowledge of God in the land” there is swearing, lieing, killing, stealing and committing adultery, they break all bounds and murder follow murder. Hosea 4:1-6

RELIGIOUS CONDITION IN ISRAEL IN THE TIME OF HOSEA

The condition in Israel was become terrible. Religion was turned into adulterous idolatry (won nfi ibaloo ati agbere sin Olorun nile ijosin) e.g. it is also happening nowadays when you go to some praise night, you see people having sex around the corner of the church, picking condom around the church after programme, some Pastors having sex with members on the pulpit onpenly in the church all in the name of deliverance. Read  I sam 2 for reference in the bible

            Family life especially became immoral and unclean. About these the prophet spoke his heaviest words. To express the hopeless condition that he saw, he uses the hateful word “harlortery” about 17 times.

Hosea probablylived in the storming and unrulling times through which the country ever passed Hosea 7:4. Every-where men are opposed to eachother. The future was hopeless, Israel sun was set. It was not necessary to be a prophet to see that the end of the country was near. Indeed it was not long after Hosea seazed to preach that Israel was carried away captive into Assyria by king Sargon between the year 721-722 BC 2King 17

Jeroboam setup an idol at Gilgal, Dan and Bethel, he caused people not to come to Jerusalem to serve God in temple at Jerusalem

HOSEA’S CALLTO BE A PROHET

The story of Hosea’s own life may be regarded as the key that opened the meaning of his teaching. The reason for this is that he looked upon his own history as a picture of God’s dealing with Israel.

            Gently, carefully and without filling of shame, he tells the sad story of his family life. It burned two idea deeply into his soul;

(1)  The lord’s loving faithfulness to Israel and

(2)  Israel’s ingratitude and unfaithfulness to the Lord who has been so good to her

·       Sometimes our home and what we are passing through in life is a message to the generation when you conquer it. God always way to use our challenges as a message to our generation as He uses the life and story of Hosea as a message to his generation

·       What you don’t conquer in your life, you can’t conquer it in other people’s life

Hosea 1:2 :-The woman whom her chose was Gomer who bear him two sons and one dayghter. The name of the first son was Jezreel which means Venegeans, the name of the daughter was Lo-ruhamah which means not pitted and the name of the second son was Lo-aimi. This name pointed to the judgement that will certainly comes to the house of Jehu 2kings 10:11 reference to vrs 4 of Hosea 1 (Because God was not sent Jehu to kill all people of Jezreel.

            Gomer showed herself to be unfaithful to her marriage promises. She took part in the wilder and adulterous worship of badland astaroth, she left her husband to another lover and fell into the slavery of sin. But Hosea took her back for  15 shekel of silver and a homer and Lethech of baal Hosea 3:2

THE MESSAGE OF HOSEA

Although the book of Hosea has no clear outline, we can find it in a various steps, that leads to Israel’s ruin. They are:

1.     Lack of knowledge Hosea 4:6

2.     Pride (a pride heart) Hosea 5:5 “when pride arose in a nation their wealth will be destroyed, and it will lead to its destruction” 1peter 5:5. This is common among the gifted believer

3.     Instability Hosea 6:4 (unstability of the true worship)

4.     Worldliness; They joined themselves with the world, they are like a silly dove that lack understanding, they are joined themselves with Assyira and Egypt which God commanded them not to do. Hosea 7:8 ( A cake unturned).

Aye opolopo Christiani, laa fiwe akara alaiyipada. Akara ti akoyipada kii jinadenu, apakan ajina, apakan koni jiina bee laye opolopo Kristeni, abala aye won kan sunmo Olorun, abala aye won kan  koyida) e.g their business is Godly but their home is not Godly. Their ministry is Godly but their secret life is not . e.t.c

5.     Corruption (iwa ibaje) Hosea 9:9, Everywhere is so corrupted including the church and Priest and Politics,

6.     Backsliding Hosea 11:7; This means to say that Israel has turned away from their God

7.     Idolatry Hosea 13:2

Summary: this then are seven principal sins of Israel. She had no true knowledge of God; she was pround, she lack the stabilityof true worship, she was worldly in her politics, she was corrupt in her religion , she turned away from God, and she served idols.

THE ASSYRIAN KINGS

1.     Tiglath –pilesar

2.     Shalmenezer

3.     Pekah

4.     Sargon

5.     ShalmenezerII

6.     Senacherub

JOEL THE PROHET OF PENTECOST

THE PERSONALITY OF JOEL

Nothing is known about Joel’s birth or his biography his carrier and character are hidden from us. Only a few things about him are suggested by his writing. We often found such silence concerning God spiritual servants in the old testament.

            Perphas the purpose of this is that, God and not man have the glory we do kown however, that the prophet Joel was the son of Petuel, which means persuaded of God

            Joel’s own name in Hebrews means Yo- el which means Jehovah is God. The name Joel reflects frequently in the old testament there are 14 people bearing this name in the Bible and they are;

1.     Joel the eldest son of Prophet Samuel Isam 8:2, Ichr 6:33, Ichr 15:7

2.     A descendant of Simea Ichr 4:35

3.     A descendant of Reuben Ichr 5:4,8

4.     Head of a Gadite family Ichr 5:12

5.     A levite of the family of koath. Ichr6:36

6.     A descendant of Issachar Ichr 7:3

7.     One of David’s valiant men Ichr 11:38 called igal in 2Sam 23:36

8.     A chief of the family of Geshum Ichr 15:7,11

9.     One of the keeps of the treasures of the house of the Lord Ichr23:8, 26:22

10.  A prince of Manasseh Ichr 27:20

11.  A descendant of Kohat in the time of Hezekiah 2chr 29:12

12.  A Jew who had a foreign wife  Ezra 10:43

13.  An overseer of the Benjamite that dwells in Jerusalem Neh 11:9

14.  Joel one of the minor prophet a son of Petuel who lives in Judah under the reign of Uzziah but nothing more about it Joel 1:1

It is probably that the prophet is a native of Judah, perpharps He is a citizen of Jerusalem, sin he speaks familerly of Zion” and “the children of Zion” Joel 2:1, 23 “Of Judah and Jerusalem,” and of the children of Judah and of the children of Jersualem Joel 3:1,6. Because of his interest in the temple, it has been taught also that he was a priest Joel 1:13-17. Whether this is true or not, it is every clear from his prophecy that he was not only a poet and a man of prayer but also that he was very truly a seer and a prophet. He preached repentance with divine power and he announced the great and terrible day of the Lord Amos2:11,31. He may even have belong to one of the group known in the early Hebrew history as “The sons of the Prophet

OUTLINES AND THE CONTENTS

There are two main divisions in Joel’s book

1.     Chapter 1 to chapter 2:17, in this section the prophet speaks. He begins by describing in clear and exciting language the coming of a plagues of Locust accompany by draught and it closes with an earnest appeal for repentance

2.     Chapter 2:18 to chapter 3:21, in this section, the Lord speaks. It announces in a solemn language that final doom of Israel’s foes, and closes with a description of the glorious victory of the people of the Lord.

The first half of the book therefore begins in gloom and closes in light the second half of the book started with judgement and closes in victory. The prophecy of the first part which Joel speaks prepare the way for the prediction concerning the end time the second which God has spoken.

There is really but one great thought  in the prophet entire message. It may be called the parable of lust and what it will teach us.

The book of Joel is therefore written differently from many other books in the old testament

OCCASION THAT LED TO THE WRITING

It is evident that the subject in Joel’s book is a plague of ordinary locust. Deut 28:38-39. The Israelite faced the problem of locusts that destroy the food and Joel prophesied that the locusts will continue to destoy their farm unless they repent

THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK

            The message of Joel is divided into three categories and after he preached this message, people like Nahum, Zephaniah, Amos Isaiah quoted from him.

1.     The first part of the Message is about the day of the Lord. The bible gives us other six names for the day of the Lord

v The day of the lord Isiah 2:12, Zeph 1:14

v That day or the last day Joel 1:15, 3:14

v The time of tribulation of Jacob Jer 31:7

v The great day of anger Rev 6:17

v The day of revenge Itess 1:8, Isaiah 16:4

v The day of trouble Ezk 7:1-8, Isaiah 24:1-23, Dan 9:20-27

2.     The second part of his message is the new thought that God puts in Joel’s heart about mount zion

3.     The third part of the message is the outpouring of the Holy spirit

When we look at the book of Joel, his first message where he used the day of the Lord. That phrase “the day of the Lord” was used in the two fold in the bible. John the beloved refrences to the day of the Lord as the first day of the week Rev1:10. But Joel is talking about the judgement of the lord, that is the day of God’s wrath, the day that unbelivers will weep bitterly. Matt 24:21, Joel 3:14

AMOS THE PROPHET OF JUSTICE

THE STORM OF HIS LIFE

Many students of the Old Testament believes that Amos is the earliest prophet who will have a book, if this is true, then his book is the earliest volume of Sermon in existence. In any case Amos is one of the most forceful preachers of repentance and jugement among the prophets of old testament. One writer has said that Amos is one of the most wonderful appearance in the history of mankind. His name burden or burden bearer. It should be carefully distinguished from this Amos and Amos who was the father of Isaiah.

Like Elijah and Matin Luther and other religious Leaders, Amos was formed by the time. He was stern, fairless, strong as granite and he had an independent character. He had a strong mind and a clear imagination. Amos was one of the most notable figure to appear in Hebrew history. He was the first of the prophets to write down what He preached and he began a new era in Israel’s history.

HIS HOME AND EARLY OCCUPATION

Amos was brought up on the edge of the desert, 12miles south of Jerusalem. There he lived among the Lord’s in “Tekoa” Amos 1:1. He lived therefore in the open country (wilderness) like Micah, his father’s name is no where mentioned for the reason, he probably came from a poor and unimportant family. His work was to be a shepered and perhaps this help him to be a good shepherd of men. He raised a special breed of fine wooled sheep. The breed was small in size and ugly in appearance. They were highly tought of however on account of their wool. Amos was also described himself a dresser of Sycamore tree. It is clear therefore that Amos lived close to nature. He lived in lonely district of Judah that slopped rapidly eastward to the dead sea while beasts were often found there. Here, Amos doubtless had studied the stars at night, observe the changing moon and marveled as the full sun arose over the distant hill of moab in the east. Amos breathed constantly by the fresh air of the desert  and he could climb the highest mountain, of Judah. There he could feel God’s presence in the land scape of the desert around him. His work made him necessary to go to the wool market at the northern citie. There he learned to know the life and religion of people. He was an educated man for had lived in the desert region of Tekoa. He was noble in character and he was strong and healthy in body.

            John the Baptist spent most of his years in the same wilderness in which Amos grew up it was in this circumstances that Amos developed into a religious reformer. His great concerned was to speak for the right of God and for  justice among his fellow men

HIS CALL

Amos has no special preparation to be a preacher. He had not attended any school. His training was his observation around him. He was not a prophet by family inheritance, for he was not a son of prophet. He belongs to no established school of the prophets, the Lord took him. Amos says God picked him from following the flocks and say go, Prophecy to my people Israel Amos 7:7-12. From their in the wilderness, perhaps frightened by the flood and storm, He thought about God.

A shadow fell upon his soul which made him aware of the coming judgement of God on men. As this certain judgement of God became plain to him, he cried out in sorrow over his people. When such simple people are called from the open life of nature to the busy life of the city they often make both politics and religion more healthy.

Amos message was especially for the northern Israel. He went therefore to Bethel 12 miles north to Jerusalem. There in the very shadow of royal Palace, He lifted up his voice in a deep and vigorous cry for justice and ask for justice.

HIS TIME

Amos prophesied in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash the king of Israel, two years before earthquake. Amos 1:1. The date of the earthquake is however some how uncertained but it must have been a very severe one, for it was even spoken of by Zechariah who preached more than 200years later Zech 14:5. A total eclip of the sun seems to have accompanied this earthquake. Astronomer have calculated that this Eclips took place on June 15 763BC. This will make the prophet Amos time to be 760B.C. this was the golden age of Israel the higest point of its national prosperity.

            At this time JeroboamII was on the throne, he was a strong king, he ruled over a large territory as Jonah has predicted he would 2King 14:25. But unhappily, through there was much wealth in the nation, there was little wisdom feasting and banquet took the place of religious effort. The people as a whole greedy corruption of Justice was an everyday sin, might became right. The rich sieze land from the poor, the land lord controls the government so that they could oppress the farmers who rented the land from them. The result was that, the rich became richer and the poor became the poorer.

Men scorn the right and live at ease in Zion Amos 6:1. Everywhere there was love of luxury just as there was before the downfall of Rome. Religion lost its strength and Morality become ignored. Insincerity and dishonesty, corruption and evil, money spending and carelessness took such hold of the rich that they become pagan in everything except name. it is no wonder that the prophet who come from the desert was hot more than he could sy. It is no wonder that he could say hard doom upon the sinful nation. However we are surprised that he did not codemn the calf (idol) at Bethel and Dan and that he did not announce the name of the enemy that will destroy Israel. It is strange that Amos never mentioned Assyria.

THE HEART OF HIS MESSAGE

The heart of his message is that Samaria shall be destroyed, the nation of Israel is ripe for judgement. Amos was the first prophet to say that Israel shall be destroyed. On a great day at Bethel he opened his lamentation crying the virgin of Israel is fallen, she shall not rise. Amos 5:2. This was the funeral song of the nation. The situation was indeed very serious, the day of Israel’s doom was coming; the day of the Lord where Joel had stoped, there Amos began. He cried and 1 quote “ The Lord roar from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem” Amos 1:2 with great boldness among spoke to the people who lived to get riches. He told them the judgement is clear, the were, wealth and luxury, in difference and corruption.

1.     Wealth and luxury

2.     Indifference and corruption

3.     Riches accompany with oppression

4.     Summer and winter palaces

5.     Expensive bed

6.     Wine drinking and bad songs

These were the evil that calls for judgement. The prophet of the desert saw clearly by that there was but one thing which a righteous God could do. More over, there are specific evil that were worst that those mentioned above:

1.     The poor were robbed

2.     Their garment were taken away to pay their debt

3.      Adultery and drunkness were covered up by religion

4.     Title was not done from the heart

5.     Sabbath keeping was empty and insincere

6.     Pilgrimages were made to distant shrine that did not honoured the God of Israel

All these and other evils cost Amos heart to burst in him and made him open his mouth in protest. He discover everywhere that the heart of people was not healthy. He was deeply convinced that the Lord had appointed him to be the corrector of the life of Israel.

            His message therefore was a message of judgement not of Mercy; of law not of grace.

CONTENT OF HIS BOOK

            The prophecy of Amos are easily divided into three part. These are:

A.    Chapter l and 2:- these chapters consist of eight judgement pronounce on Israel and on Israel’s neigbours. Eight times over, He picture the Lord as saying for three transgression and for four, I will not turn away the punishment of these cities.

                           I.          Damascus:- Thus says the Lord, for three transgressions of Damacus , and for four I will not turn away its punishment because they have treshed Gilead with implement of Iron. Amos 1:3

                         II.          Gaza: Because they took captive the whole captivity to deliver them up to Edom vrs 6-8

                       III.          Tyre; Because they delivered up the whole captive to Edom and did not remember the convenant of brotherhood vrs 9-10

                      IV.          Edom; Because He punished his brother with sword and cast off all pity, his angertore perpetually and he kept his wrath forever. Vrs 11-12

                        V.          Ammon; Because he ripped open the women with child in Gilead, that they might enlarge their territory (won fi ida la inu alaboyun ki won le ba so agbegbe won di ni nla) vrs 13-15

                      VI.          Moab; Because he burnt the bone of the King of of Edom to lime. Chapter 2:1-3

                    VII.          Juda; Because they have despised the law of the Lord and have not kept His commandment their lies lead them astray, lies which fathers follows. Vrs 4-5

                  VIII.          Israel; They sell, the righteous for  silver and the poor for a pair of sandals. Vrs 6-16

The whole series of eight Judgement teaches the fundamental law of the Bible for a  good society:

i.                 God is the God of all man and all nations

ii.               It is a sin for  a man to hurt his fellow man

iii.             All mankind must give an account of his for his action to God

Amos was the first prophet in Israel to teach that there is a law for all nations and that God is the maker of this law

B.    Chapter 3-5; These chapter consist of three sermons that speaks of heavy judgement. Each section begin with the call that says “hear this words”. Chapter 3:1, 4:1, 5:1. All these sermons warn Israel very strongly, they are best described like these.

i.                 First sermon; Chapter 3; The Lord chooses Israel so as Israel remain faithful. These is the greatest chapter in the book

ii.               Second sermon; chapter 4; A warning to the lady of Samaria “you cow of bashan” who are taughtless, selfish and cruel. Isaiah 3:16 forwad

Although God has repeatedly warned them by famine Amos 4:6, draught Amos 4:7-8, blight and mill dew 4:9 pestilence and sword 4:10, and earthquake 4:11. Yet they have not returned to the Lord. Therefore the prophet shout “prepare to meet your God whole Israel”. 34:12

iii.             Third sermon chapter 5 and 6. These sermon is a poem of lamentation  for the nation of Israel cannot recover from its spiritual wickness. The causes of this sickness that must lead to death are causes of this sickness that must lead to death are,

a.      Israel spurns righteousness Amos 5:7

b.     Israel hate reprove (won korira ibawi) Amos 5:10

c.      Israel mockingly desire the day of the Lord to come Amos 5:18

d.     It religious feast and solemn meetings are not sincere and because of this God hate them. Amos 5:21

e.      It will not listen to God’s call to seek the Lord and live Amos 5:4,6,14

Therefore the prophet announces the double punishment on Israel and its princes; they shall go into captivity and their city will be destroy. Amos5:6 verse 7,8,11

C.    Chapter 7-9; This section consist of a series of Five vision and an ending of hope and comfort. At the end of the their vision there interupption by Amaziah the priest of Bethel Amos 7:10-17.

`The outline of this section is as follows;

i.                 A vision of lucost Amos 7:1

ii.               A vision of devouring fire Amos 7:4-6

iii.             A vision of the plumb line of righteousness 7:7-9

When Amos had spoken this third vision, Amaziah the priest of bethel tells Amos that he has no right to prophecy in these ways against the house of king Jeroboam. Amos answers Amaziah’s charges boldly.

            He denies that he prophesies to make a living. He has had no training in the school of prophet. He is not a prophet by trade nor he’s a prophet son. Amos 7:14. It was the Lord who took these from following the flock and who said to him, “go and prophecy to my people Israel”. For this reason he is not afraid to speak either against Amaziah or against the king Amos 7:14-17

iv.             A vision of a basket of summer fruit Amos 8:1-14 which means “the end is come”

v.               A vision of the destroyed temple. Amos 9:1-6. The people are pictured as berried under ruined of their false religion.

The book end with the promised of restoration Amos 9:7. This is a section of great beauty. There is hope in it comfort and assurance

            Israel shall be tested (shaken with a sieve) vrs 9 and these who remain (the pebbles that do not fall through the sieve) will rebuild the cities and inhabit them.

THE LESSONS DERIVED IN THE BOOK OF AMOS

1.     Amos shows that the God of Israel is a moral God Amos 4:13, 5:8, 9:5-6

2.     Amos also taught that the elaborate worship, if it is insincere, it is an insult to God. Amos5:21 5:23,

3.     Amos also taught us that there must be a social justice between man and man Amos 5:24

4.     Amos taught us that if we receive blessing from God, we must walk with them and use it in a right way.

 There is no blessing, that has no duty. Amos 3:2

5.     Every disaster is a new call to repentence Amos 4:6, Lk 13:1-5

The Ephesian land is now called turkey

6.     Amos also taught us that the warning that Israel needed to hear, we also need to take heed of it. Amos teaches that if prophet is a true prophet, he would have conviction that God has called him to preach Amos 7:15.

Amos also taught that Israel had to obey the moral teachings of God.

OBADIAH (THE REPROVER OF THE RIDICLE)

            Obadiah is the shortest book in the old testament it has only 21 verses. It is never quoted or referred to in the New testament. In the twelve prophet, the book appear immediately after Amos because it is further explanation of the short prophet found in Amos 9:12 against Edom that they may posses the reminant of Edom.

This however is very uncertain

The title describe the book as a vision and is directed against Edom.

The book is short but difficult, infact it is as difficult as it is short.

THE AUTHOR

 Obadiah does not have a personal history. His name means worshippers of the Lord.

Some of  the Obadiah in the

1.     The head of a family who apparanltly decended from David 1chr 3:21

2.     A decendant of Tola the son of Issachar 1 Chr 7:3

3.     A son of Azeel a Benjamite Ichr 8:38, 9:44

4.     A levite the son of Shemiah 1Chr 9:16

5.     A Gadaite who joined David in Ziklag 1chr 12:9

6.     The governor of the house of Ahab king of Israel. He hid and fed some propehet of God during the persecution of Jezebel Ikings 18:3-16

7.     One of the priests of Judah who taught the people the law in the region of Jehoshaphat IIchr 17:7

8.     The father of Ismaiah Ichr 27:19

9.     A levitte, Overseer the rebuild the house of God in the time of Josiah IIchr 34:12

10.  A son of Jehiel. Ezra 8:9

11.  A priest who seal the covenant made by Nehemiah Neh 10:5

12.  A keeper of the Sanctuary Neh 12:25

13.  Obadiah the fourth of the Minor prophet who lived after the destruction of Jerusalem 588BC. But nothing more we know about him. Obadiah vrs 1.

Apparently by Obadiah thought that the work is more important than the workers for the sake of the work. The author allow his own person to slip into the background

THE MESSAGE

Obadiah’s message can be summed up into two phrase;

1.     The destruction of Edom. Vrs 1-16

2.     The Restoration of Israel. Vrs 17 -21

The prophet’s first purpose, however, was not to warn Edom but to comfort Israel.

These are the two main subject of the book. Its material is often divided into three part as follows

I.                 Vrs 1-9; The ruin of Edom even though She’s securely sheltered in the rock

Who are the Edom? They are decendents of the brother of Jacob (Israel)

II.               Vrs 10-14; The reason for this destruction, namely are cruelty to Israel and her rejoicing over Israel’s adversity

III.             Vrs 15-21; punishment for Edom and Restoration of Israel

PROBLEM OF DATE AND AUTHORSHIP

There are numbers of old testament scholars who believe that the book came to being over a long period of time they do not believe that it was written by Obadiah alone but that three other writters contributed to it. All four separated to each other by long period of time. Each wrote something that is now in the book. In their view, Obadiah probably lived about 450BC. He took up an early prophecy against Edom pridicting its defeat. Vrs 1-4, and he added to his own warning vrs 5-14 and vrs 15b. A prophet who lived a hundred years or so after Obadiah spoke about the restoration of Israel to her former power and glory. Vrs 15A and vrs 16-18. This he added to the former writing of the other prophets and Obadiah.

            Finally the fourth writer contributed the conclusion in vrs 19-21. In it he assured the Jews that the God’s kingdom will be established and that the Lord will reign alone. This was probably written about the time of Maccabian revolt in 168BC.

            This view of the book means that many of the verses that seems to be prediction about the future really took place in the past. It is therefore better to accept the book as it is appears to be “A prediction of punishment that is coming upon Edom for its wickedness to Israel. The book does not clearly indicated when it was written we must therefore try to determine the date of writing from such evidence as we can find in the book. Many widely different had been suggested. Some put the date as early as the time of king Jehoram of Judah in 850BC. In that year, the Philistines and Arabian attacked Jerusalem and carried away the riches of the royal palace 2chr 21:16-17. Other dated the book as late as  312Bc when Edom was conquered by Nebath.

EDOM (THE DESENDANT OF ESAU)

As we have seen Obadiah prophecy concerning Edom and in particular concerning inhabitant of Edom. They lived in rocky fortress (ilu ti afi okuta ko) and thought no one could defeat them. Therefore Obadiah could write “The pride  of your heart has deceived you, you who lived in the cleft of the rock, whose dwelling is high who says in your heart “who will bring me down? Obadiah vrs3

            “The Rock” that is here refered to as almost certainly the city of Petra. This was probably from earliest time the main strong hold of the nation. The Mordern Arabs were call it “Wady Musa”. The acient Syrian, Josephus tells us that this same place was called Rekem after the Middianite Prince who fell in the battle with Israel in Moab in the days of Phenahas. Num3:18. Petra standout among the ancient cities of the world for its natural beauty and unusual situation. It is almost impossible to describe it fully. It is located deep down among the mountains of seir. On all sides it is surrounded by richly coloured rocks of such beauty and grandeur as are found no where else. Petra has been called the wonder of the desert. One enters this beautiful but strange city through a narrow rocky passage that is more than a mile long. It is called the sik or cleft. It is a most magnificient it most of the way. The Rock which high sides are beautifully tinted with all the colours of the rainbow. The passage that entered into that city is so narrow and deep that it is  often also dark at noon day. The colours of the rock add richly to the beauty of the city. Deep red, purple, orange, yellow, white, violet and other colours are arranged by nature in a wonderfully varying ways.

·       Deep red – pupa

·       Purple – Elese aluko

·       Orange – olomi osan

·       Yellow – ofefe

·       White – funfun

·       Violet – elese aluko pupa

One colours run into another and all curf and twist in gugeous shape that capture and hold the admiration of the visitor. The whole city and its surrounding area have the immense pattern of richly coloured mountains, cliffs, chasms, rocky shelves, narrow valley, plauteax, shady cornet, sunny area,

Cliff – bebe okuta

Chams – ogun nla

Rocky shelves – pepe apata

Narrow valley – Afoni foji tooro

Plateau – ile oke

Shady corners – igun ikoko to sijibo

Sunny areas – Agbegbe oorun

It was a place of beauty and protection, a fortress of a trade and commercr that will satisfy any oriented nomad. But as all the beauty surrounding the city that is dead. Petra is desolate and empty. Men have abandoned it and on every side there is the stillness of death

LESSON DERIVED

Edom gloated over Juda’s defeat. They mocked and scorned the defeated Israelites. They had rejoicedover Juda’s ruin for this Obadiah rebuked Edomites.

TEACHING IN PROPER FROM LESSON DERIVED

1.     Scorn and ridicule comes out of pride

2.     When we scorn others we show the spirit that is in ourselves

3.     Ridicule shows the lack of brotherly love

4.     Constantly they had carried on war of revenge against each other

5.     National selfishness and tribal jealousy had made them unforgiven enemies

6.     Pride always leads to destruction

7.     The house of Jacob shall posses the possesions of all the nations

Finally, Edom shall be subdue and shall become part of Israel’s kingdom. “Saviour shall go up to mount Zion to rule Mount Esau and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s”. vrs 21. The promise is the bright side of the days of the Lord. It point to the end and final fulfilment of all human history. The prophet here enlarge his prediction of judgement for Edom to include world judgement. The judgement shall be on all the heathen nations (orile ede keferi) and through it, Israel shall be restored. This is the final vision, not only of Obadiah but of all prophecies it is glimpse of the kingdom of the Messaiah for which the prophet langed. It also tell us how Israel looked upon herself, how she regard her own place in God plan. Today the prophet word are finding their slow but silent fulfilment in the certain coming of the kingdom of God and of His Christ.

JONAH (THE PROPHET OF CATHOLICITY)

The book of Jonah is very largely a book about Jonah himself. Apart from his prayer in Chapter 2 there is only one sentence which can be called sentences, this is in chapter 3:4. However this is unusual in the prophet. Their personal experience are sometimes recorded in their book. For example Hosea in Hosea chapter 1-3, In Amos 7:10-15, Jer 1:25-29 and chapter 36-38

JONAH: THE MAN AND HIS STORY

            Jonah is a man who worked as a prophet in Israel. Almost all scholars identify him with “Jonah the son of Amittai” who prophecy to Jeroboam the restroration of Israel to her former boundary IIking 14:25.

He was a native of Gath-Hepher in Galilee, this town is situated about 4miles to the north of Nazareth and it is known to the modern Arabs as El-meshed. IIkings 14:25

INFORMATION RESEARCH

·       A legend said that Jonah was the prophet Elisha sent to anoint Jehu

·       A legend said Jonah was the son of the widow of Zerephat whom Elijah revived Ikings 17:17-22

When the Lord called Jonah to Nineveh to preach, he was completely opposed to the task. He fled from the presence of the Lord Jonah 1:3, 10 to Tarshish a city in Southwestern Spain. Jonah therefore abandone Prophetic work. How old he was,we do not know. He may have stood in the presence of the Lord for many years. We read also about cain who walked out from the presence of the Lord Gen 4:16. We may say therefore Jonah was a true Cannite. Why did Jonah go West world? Why did he risk the sea which the Jews usually avoided? He gives a frank reason for this and what was that “I knew that then hath a gracious God and Merciful, slow to angar and abounding in steadfast love and repented of all evils’ Jonah 4:2. If he had been sure that God will destroyed the city, with doubtlessness he will had gone in to Nineveh. But he was more concerned to be an Israelite than to be an obedient believer. He was jealous and vindictive. He could not see why God should wish him to preach to the people who are eager to destroy Israel. Jonah fell far short of the kind of man about whom Jesus spoke, the man who desire the welfare even of his enemy lk 6:27-30, Matt 5:25.

            Jonah went to Joppa, the chief sea port of the holy land there he found a vessel sailing far westworld. He boarded the ship paid his fair, went below into the hold and like sisera in the tent of Jael the treacherous Judges 4:21. He fell asleep. His conscience appeared went to sleep. Jonah deceived himself into thinking that he will soon be far away from God. A storm arose but Jonah remains asleep. Jesus also once slept peacefully during a storm, but He could do so because He felt Himself secured in God’s hand, not far From God’s hand mark 4:37-39

NOTE: when one set out to defeat God, there is bound to be a storm

Two brief verses tells us the story of Jonah’s rescue from the sea. Chapter 1:17, 2:10. The Lord prepared a great fish to swallowed Jonah and Jonah was in the belly of the sea three days and three nights. At Alexandretta, North of Antioch in Syria, there are stands two pillars

            According to the Arab tradition, this mark the spot where the fish vomited Jonah on the dry land

Whom God loves, He will handle him by force but those that God leaves. He does not have focus on them.

The story of a man called Josephus (an author) however says that it was on the shore of Euxine sea, The fish vomited him.

Jonah after now learnt lesson. God gave him another chance to go and preach to the people in Nineveh. This time he obeyed and later became the first missionary to the Gentiles.

            Entering the street of Nineveh, he began to cry perphaps in his own language “yet fourty days the Nineveh shall be overthrown” Jonah 3:4. In Hebrew language only five words are used to say this. We can imagin with what pleasure the revengeful prophet announce the warning. The Ninevites repented as a result of that, God also repented of the evil when He said He will do them, and He did not do it. Chapter 3:5-10

            When the Lord delayed executing the judgement on the city, Jonah became angry. Did he became angry because he would be mocked because his prophecy did not come through or because he would no longer be accepted as a true prophet, NO. these were not the reasons for his anger. He was angry because God has shown mercy to Nineveh. God had been willing to spare a city which will only continue to make war against Israel and make her pay every tribute. Jonah was angry because he was a selfish Israelite than being a child of God. He put Israel before the will of God. He felt that God was loosing wonderful opportunity to purnish Nineveh.

            Jonah sat for forty days expecting the fall of Nineveh but he failed. After that day he was angry. He believed that sooner or later, his people will soon be doomed to distruction. “Better to die he thought than to live in a world govern by such God.

            In His hopelessness, Jonah resembled Elijah 1King 19:1-18, but there was a great difference between them. Both were despondent, but Jonah did not have Elijah’s reason for being despended. Elijah was concerned for the honour of God, Jonah was concerned with the honour of his country.

            Jonah wanted to see the city destroy. He watched from the top of a Hill burning under the heat of the sun. God reproved him because of his anger but it did not change jonah’s attitude. To protect him from the fair heat of the sun, God caused a plant to grow over his head, almost with a magical swiftness, with this Jonah was greatly pleased but as quickly as God gave it, he took it away. A worm gnawed at its root and it died, it came into being in a night and perished in a night, Jonah 4:10. Because he lost his shady cover, Jonah became angry and he wanted to die. At first he had been angry because niniveh was speared, now he was angry because the gourd was not speared. Therefore, God compared the gourd with that city and compared the love that Jonah had to that city, Jonah 4:10?

            The value of the book of Jonah was very great as we shall see but we must admit that Jonah himself stand rather low in the list of old Testament prophet. He was proud, much more concerned about himself, wilfull, he easily become angry, he was obstinate and still was a patriot, a loyal lover of Israel.

            Jonah was a man in whom the love of God and the love of his country were in conflict. Piety and duty were nit seems to comply, piety towards God and duty to the country seems to oppose each other. Jonah feared God but ran away from his task. Patriotism almost kill his love for fellow men. Jonah was a man who has strong religious feelings but he did not have the will to carry them out in life. Jonah wept because Nineveh was not destroyed when she repented. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because she refused to repent. This is the great difference between Jonah and Jesus

THE PROPHET’S TIME

Jonah lived during the reign of JeroboamII King of Northern Israel. This was from 790 to 750BC. When Jeroboam came to power. The kingdom failed. The reason for this was that the time of Jehu, the people has been force to pay tribute tro Assyria under. However, the former power of t the kingdom has come to power.

The brilliant reign of AdadnaririIV about 1872-810BC had come to an end. During his reign, he had made three expendition (irin ajo sise alami) to Pallestine and other lands in the west. He had received tribute from Hittite, Tyre and Sidon the land of Homri, Edom, and Philistine. Through his extensive victory, he had made himself one of the greatest king of the Assyrian empire. No Assyrian king before him had actually ruled over so wide extent of territory. Non had ever posses, in addition to it so many tributes paying state.

Adadnariri had believed in a king of religion of (Menotheism) “sisin orisa kan” in a remarkable inscription which he left, it read “ put your trust in Nebo trust no other God’. It has suggested that Adadnariri was the king of Nineveh who welcome Jona when he came to Nineveh to preach. It is probably however that Adadnariri was already dead before Jonah went  to Nineveh and that Syrians decline was already began. After his reign, Assyrian went slowly to a sure backward into a period of strange explainable weakness. It was this appearance of weakness that made Jonah want to see Assyrian become still weaker.

            A difficulty arises, however, dust here. At this particular time down to 705BC, Calah are not Nineveh the capital of Assyria.

MICAH (THE PROPHET OF POOR)

THE NAME

            Micah is the sixth out of the twelve minor prophet His name come from Hebrew name “Mikayahu” which means who is like God. Micah 1:1,7,18 Jere 26:18. Like the name Micheal which means whois like God. The name Micah contains a question which required answer. There are many people bearing Micah in the Bible

1.     An Ephramite who have fallen into idolatory higher the levite to be his priest, his idols were stolen from him by the Danite. Judge chapter 17 and 18

2.     The sixth of the Minor prophet a native of Moresheth-gath west of Jerusalem in Gath. Micah 1:1

3.     Micah, a Reubenite 1 Chr 5:5

4.     The son of Merib-baal. Ichr 8:34 and 35 called Micha in 2sam 9:12

5.     A levite of the family of Asaph 1chr 9:15 he is called Micha in Nehemiah 11:17,22 and also called Michaiah in Nehemiah 12:35

6.     A levite of the family of Kohath Ichr 23:20, called Micha in Ichr 24:24,25

7.     The father of Abdome IIchr 34:20 and called Michaiah in IIkings 22:12 , Iking 22:8-14

HIS HOME TOWN

Micah is called the Mora-shitt Mica 1:1. Because he was born in Moresheth-gath. This was a town that was governed by moresheth-gath. This town is about 20miles southwest of Jerusalem. Like Amos, he was a  native of open country. There is usually more truly religion than in the city. Micah apparently have no special love for city. Mic 1:5,5:11,6:9

HIS PERSONALITY

Micah must have been an Unusual person, He had a very strong convinction and he had courage to speak his convinction. The secret of his power is told in chapter 3:8 “But truly I am full of Power by the spirit of the lord, and of justice and might to declare to Jacob his tragression and to Israel his sin”. As a  true patriot and like every true preacher he fairlessly uncovered sin and pointed people to Christ He was especially a prophet of poor and a friend of the oppressed. His whole soul was in sympathy with those who are down throding. He had Amos longing for justice and Hosea’s heart of love. Micah may be said to be another Amos that come to life again. His frank sincerity put set him apart from the false prophet of the day.

            Micah spoke his mind. The other prophets spoke what the people wanted to hear, saying peace when they have something to eat and declaring war against those who put noting in their mouth. Micah 3:5-6

TIME OF HIS PROPHECY

Micah prophesied in the time of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah the kings of Judah. Micah 1:1. This days is confirmed the evidence in the book and also Jeremiah 26:18 which quote Micah 3:12. Micah therefore was a younger contemporary of Isaiah he seems to have preached both before and afer the downfall of Samaria 722BC, very probably for about 735 to 715BC. Some scholars think he preached more than the great luxury. He built fortress and palaces in Jerusalem and many poor man lost their lives in Jothan’s building programme. Under Ahaz, Judah had to pay tribute to Assyrian. The cost of the war with Syria and Ephraim in 734BC was very high all these fell as a heavy burden on reach and poor alike. They took awy their properties and took widow out of their houses. All sorts of injustice existed in the land, the rich eaten up the poor. Hezekiah attempted to improve conditions but in his reign things became even worst. Men stopped trusting each other Jerusalem became a city of bad politics. The advises of the king were divided in their counsels. Some advice the king to make alliance with Egypt against Assyria, others advised him to submit to Assyria. Those who guided the law abuse their power, nobles rubbed the humbler classes; judges accepted bribe; prophets prophecy to please the rich; The priests taught for hire. (micah chapter 2). Everywhere there was a sinful desire for wealth. The rich master of the country laughed, they laughed at the thought of judgement. Right and Religion were put aside so that business and money making might meet no obstacle.

THE MESSAGE OF MICAH

Micah’s message strengthens the one that Isaiah preached. They lived at the same time Isaiah belong to the higher classes while micah was a simple man from an obscured village. Isaiah was a stateman while Micah was an evangelist and a student of the life of people Isaiah was concerned with the political problem of the day, Micah was concerned with the religion of the individual man and the problem right and wrong in the society. He was a more common man than Isiah was. He associated not with kings but with common people. Isiah taught that Zion could not be overcome. Micah taught that it will be destroyed (Micah 3:12)

The reason why their message contradict is that Elijah was a state man and micah was among the common people which means something people on top does not know what is going on in the grass root. Therefore they preached according to what surrounded them. The higher classes had a totally mistaken idea of God they taught that they were respectable, no judgement will come upon them. Chapter 3:11 “He head judge for a bribe, her priest teach for  pay and her prophet divine for money yet they learn on the Lord and say is not the Lord among us No harm can come upon us.

Micah had very high idea about the kingdom of God for this reason, he felt that true religion and moral should occupy an important place in the life of men micah 6:8. The whole message can be summed up in these words; those who live rich and selfish life are blood sucker of the poor in the sight of God He will not accept their costly sacrifice.

ANALYSIS ON THE BOOK OF MICAH

The materials on the book of Micah is best divided as follows:

A.    Chapter 1 – 3 – Judgement

B.    Chapter 4 and 5 – comfort

C.    Chapter 6 and 7 – the way of  salvation

With these three division one could preach a fine modern sermon, we shall discuss these division one by one

A.    Chapter 1 to 3 ; Judgement

These chapter speak an heavy doom unto Judah. They are full of blame consure for officers of church and state. Judgement and threat are heaped up, until the people no longer want to hear them and tell him to stop. Micah 2:6. Micah was the first of the prophet to threaten Jerusalem with destruction, Micah 3:12. He always distinguish however between the nation of Judah and the city of Jerusalem, the city will be destroyed but to the nation, He give the promise of restoration.

B.    Chapter  4 and 5; Comfort

In this section Micah present glimpses of coming glory. There are promises of salvation and this promises, there are included hopes for a messiah and hopes for glory in the endtime. But Micah looks backward and as well forward. His vision of the future is based on the reality of his own time. These realities have come into being in the history of the past. In the deliverance of Judah which is coming, Micah sees the future triumph of righteousness. As he thinks of the future that awaits Israel, two pictures of glory come into his mind. These are; the exaltation of Zion and the birth of Messiah in Bethlehem

A.    Chapter 4:1-5 gives a picture of Zion which is to become the central spiritual city for the whole world (Isaiah 2:2-4). He sees pilgrims come from part of the world to form fellowship of the world under the Government of the God of Israel. In this fellowishp, the law of the Lord will be accepted as a guide for the time of universal peace. Israel shall be religiously supreme and the long awaited golden age will become a reality.

B.    5:2 To the end: These are the prophecy that messiah will be born in Bethelehem as David was. Isiah has foretold His virgine birth (Isaiah 7:14). But Micah predicted His village birth Micah 5:2

700 years later in the days of Herod the great wise man from the east searched for the Christ child to which the guilding star directed them. With the help of the Jewish rabbis, they obtain from this passage the need information to continue their journey Matt 2:1-6

C.    Chapter 6 and 7

This section may be called the Lord’s controversy. It is a dialogue, conversation between God and His people. In this dialogue, God justifies the way in which He has led Judah. The people think that God is hard grasping master as the landlord they know before. They wanted to know therefore how much He want from them. By cruel and mistaken method, they had been trying to please God and take His anger away from themselves. They had offered the fruits of their bodies for the sin of the soul. Micah 6:7. The Lord responded to them in Chapter 6v8.

THE REQUIREMENT FOR BEING A TRUE CHILD OF GOD

1.     To do justly

2.     To love kindness, compassion on Mercy. Micah call it “Hesed” in Hebrew language

Many People are just but they are not always kind kindness guarantee that through justice will be give.

3.     To walking humbly: This third requirement make it possibly to fulfill the other two. One cannot justly and do kindness if he is not humble.

NAHUM

THEPOET OR THE PROPHET OF VENGEANCE

NAME:

      We know alot nothing about Nahum except his name, even the Nahum appeared no where else in the Bible like so other prophet. Nahum is little more than a voice. However His name carried the message for it means comforter.

HIS HOME TOWN

The prophet is introduced  to us as Nahum of Elkosh. This is probably intended to tell us his birth place. We read likewise of “Elijah the Tishbite”. The Septuagint talked about Nahum as the Elskesite. There are four view as to where his home was;

a.      Al-kush:- A village 24 mile north of Mosul, close to Nineveh his tomb is here still referencely pointed out by both Christians and muslims but especially by the Jews of the state.

b.     Ain-Japhata:- A small village south of Babylon in 1165AD, there was said a thumb of Nahum was found in this town.

c.      El-Kauze:- A small village in north Galilee, other feels however that Capernaum in Galilee was the home of the Prophet. It is thought that the word Carpernaum was derived from the word called Kefr-Nahum which mean in the Arabic language. “The city of Nahum”.

d.     Elkese:- A town line 20 miles south west of Jerusalem now called “Beit Jibrin” it lay in the area of the tribe of Semon.

THE TIME OF THE PROPHET

We know quite accurately when Nahum lived and prophesied Chapter 3:8-10 speak of the defeat of “Thebes” in upper Egypt. It has already been captured and fall of Nineveh was to take place in a short time. Thebes was captured by Assurbanipal in 66BC and Nineveh by Nabopolassar in 612BC. Nahum has prophesied between these two dates (66BC-612BC).

            Assurbanipal was a very cruel king. In Israel that has been found, he bost of his violent and shameful deeds. He tore of the limbs ( isan eyin ese) and the lips (tete) of kings; one time he forced them captured Elam rulers to drag his Chariots through the street, and he compelled a capture prince to wear around his neck the head of his king. Once upon a time, Assubanipal was feasted with his queen in a garden in which there hung above them the head of a Chaldea king who he had forced to commit succide, (whom he had forced to hang himself). No other king of ancient time over hosted of such in human action. As he advance towards egypyt on one of his expendiction (irin ajo sise alami), twenty two kings have said to have paid said to have paid him homage. Upon his arrival in Egypt both Memphis the capital of lower Egypt and Thebes which is the capital upper Egypt were captured from king Tikahah and were cruely punished. The people of Judah and Jerusalem living between Assyria and Egypt had to hear and see the horrors. Indeed from generations there has been constant Assyrian invations of Pallestine Shalmezer II in 842BC, Tiglath Pilesar III 734BC.

Sennacherib – 701BC. Esarhadden – BC. And now Assubanipal. In him the worst seemed yet to come. Judah seems to be helpless in the hand of his cruel enemy. The last part of Chapter 1:15 and chapter 2:1-2 indicates how the land had suffered in the hand of Assyria. Nineveh the capital of Assyria was stil at the height of her glory Chapter 3:16-17. It seems from the written of this prophet that Thebes had only fallenand that Nineveh downfall, lays at the future. She was still strong and was feared by all. The prophet could see that her defeat was come but many people does not see it. Because of this circumstances Nahum ministry probably took place in 650BC.

NINEVEH

Nineveh is situated at the eastern side of Tigris, opposite the modern city called Mosul. It was founded by Nimrod of Babylonia Gen 10:11

Babylonian comes from Babel in Genesis

And especially worship the goddess Ishtar. It was a capital of the Assyrian kings from 110 to 880BC, and also after Senacherib became king 705BC. Infact it was the chief city of the empire. It was strongly fortified by walls and ditches before the walls, and by forts (odiaabo) and tower on the walls. The wall extended seven and half miles around the city (7^1/2miles) and they were so broad that three chariots could ride on top of them a long side each other. Such is Nineveh the capital of the most sinful, cruel and most powerful nation of men that ever existed on earth. Their armies were expert at be sieging the city of enemy, ever crying siege, siege;

            But says Nahum, the besiegers of the world will be sieged. Nahm 3:1

Nahum prophecies were remarkably fulfilled. Esarhaddon was the last king of Nineveh. The medes with the Babylonian first destroyed all the fortress surrounding the city. Then they besieged the city itself of their gods. John 3:15. But it was invade. The city fell. An ancient authorithy described how the last night of the besiege of this city was spent in drunken huges. Nahum 1:10, 2:5. In which the weak king himself set an example. That night the Tigris river over flows it bounds, breaking opened the wall of the city. Through this opening, the enemy entered. When the king saw that all was lost, he burnt himself in the palace. Nahum 3:15-19. All the rich spoil of the city was taken away by the conqurorsNahum 2:10-12. It fell about 611BC.

“KOUYOU YIK” or “Nebi Yunu” means broken piece of wall (awolu alapa).

THE CONTENT OF THE BOOK

Nahum’s prophecy naturally falls into three great division

1.     Chapter 1 – A triumphant song over the coming fall of Nineveh

2.     Chapter 2 – The judgement that is coming upon the city, the uselessness of her defence

3.     Chapter 3 – The guilt of the city, her cruently her greed, her lieing diploma, her adultery and treacherously.

“Nineveh” says Nahum you will fall, and all the nations will rejoice to her defeat. There would be no one lift to comfort her. The poet seems almost to rejoice in the destruction that he sees coming.

THE MESSAGE OF NAHUM

Nahum express the whole of His message in Chapter 1:7-9. He is a prophet who has one idea. The idea is a doom that is about to descend on Nineveh. Nahum is convinced that although God is slow to anger, He will in due time take vengeance on His adversaries. He fixes the light of God justice on Nineveh, and he sings the death song on the world’s greatest oppressor “Nineveh”. It is a judgement that has waited from the day long but it is judgement that is sure and it will be complete and final

THE LESSONS FROM NAHUM BOOKS

1.     The university of God’s government over men and nation

2.     The justly punishing character of God’s government

3.     The justice of God is subordinate to the love of God’s.

If you refuse to receive the love of God, you will have His judgement.

4.     The judgement of God is inescapable

5.     Nahum thought that there is divine law of justice.

6.     Sin which is fully grown bringeth forth death.

7.     Judgement of God is very slow but very sure

8.     God will not atall aquite the wicked

9.     God will take vengeance on His adversaries

10.  God is powerful good and jelous God

HABAKKUK THE PHILOSOPHER

NAME AND PERSONALITY

We know nothing about Habakkuk outside the book appears his name. Habakkuks name may come from word “Habalak” which means to embrace. This may suggest wrestling with God, or one who is loved by God or that Habakkuk ws a comforter of his people.’ Matin Luther said that Habakkuk had a right name for his Prophet position, for it means one who encourages, one who take another to his heart, one who speak gently to a weeping child and quiet his fear. For this reason we do not know whether the name Habakkuk was the actual name of the Prophet or whether he was given the name because of the kind of prophecy that he made to Israel.

            Like Haggai and Zachariah, he is called the prophet. Hab 1:1, this means he was a man of Judah, perhaps well known in Jerusalem, and therefore aquianted with the local and political situation Hab 1:3-4. In anycase, there is good reason to believe that he was one of the great men of his time, perhaps he was one of the great men of his time, perhaps he was one of the Isaiah’s disciple. Isaiah 8:16. Habakkuk was an independent thinker. He made men ask religious question and he had lead many to religious doubt. He was however a man of strong faith. He was the kind of man God uses to begin new time of usefulness for His church. Some believe that Habakkuk was the sentinel (iranse enitiaran gege bi olusoded) mentioned in Isaiah 2:16 to look out to the fall of Babylon. Other suggests that he was that of the son of Sunamite widow whom Elisha raised from death. It is not possible to do more than to guess who he was. We do know that he was a thinker, earnest and frank, He may be called a philosopher, thinking in his owns thought  and strong in expressing them. He had a gentle spirit, he knew how to pray and make request to God and he believe strongly in the good rule of God.

AIMS OF HABAKKUK

The sole aim of the Prophet was to foretell the coming downfall of the Chaldeans (The Babylon), and in so doing to give encouragement for Judah in her time of need

DATE OF WRITTEN

            The date of Habakkuk prophecy depends on the time hen the Chaldeans began to conquer the world around them. When did they set out on their carrier of conquest? Chapter 1:6 says “for low I am rousing the Chaldean” this to indicate the beginning of their conquest. There is no indication in the book that they had already to inter fear directly in the life of Judah. Many authority agreed that Habakkuk was probably written in 604 or 603BC.

Nineveh had fallen in 612BC. Nebuchadnezar had just began his carrier of conquest in western Asia. At Carchemish he defeated Pharaoh- necho of Egypt in the year 605. This victory met on turning point in the history of a time. Between 608 and 605 Egypt had troubled Judah. She herself was trouble and humbled by the Chaldean conqueror and will never again rise to reatness.

ANALYSIS AND CONTENT OF THE BOOK

The book opened a dialogue between God and the prophet. It then pronounces woe against the Chaldean. It closes with a beautiful poem of confidence that God will deliver His people. The whole book may be easily divided into six section;

1.     Prophet’s complaint – Chapter 1:2-4

Habakkuk begins this prophecy with a cry despair (cry of  hopless) “Oh Lord, how long shall I cry for help and them will not hear”. He is unable to understand by God permit evil to happen

2.     God’s answer – Chapter 1 vs 5-11

God told Habakuk “ I am working a work in your days” vrs 5. The work that God was doing was a painful work for Israel; He is raising up the Chaldean to punish His people. The vrs 5-11 contains a most clear description of the character and the conquest of the Chaldean. They are called  that bitter and hasty nation who match through the breadth of the whole earth. They are terrible and dreadful and gather captives as they gather sound

3.     Prophet’s Problem – Chapter 1 vrs 12 -2 vrs 1

The answer of God strrengths the prophet but it also creats a great problem for him. God’s method confused him why should God used sinful foe to punish Judah? Were not the Israelite more righteous than the Chaldean? How can God who has the purer eyes than to behold evil permit the faithless Chaldean to swallow the men who are better than them? How can Holy God used the cruelty of the Chaldeans? Is there no divine government? This is Habakkuk’s problem. How can be wicked be strong and the just be humiliated Habakkuk found an answers to his problem only when he becomes the man of faith. Although he sees the world on ruing.Around, him he finds comfort in firm believe in the providence of God. Chapter 2:1

4.     Chapter 2:2-4 – God’s final reply. The tower in which Habakkuk has stationed himself is a tower of faith. It is in this tower that he waites for God’s reply. He does not have to wait very long. Gods speaks to him through vision. He must write a vision on tablet so plainly so that anyone who read it will run to tell the answer. God tells Habakkuk “if it see too slow, wait. It will surely come, it will not delay”

5.     A series of Five Woes – Chapter 2:6-20.In these verses, the nations that has been conquered by the chaldeans lifting up their voices and condemned their oppressors. Habakkuk speak here for all the nations that has been conquered. He speaks as Nahum spoke against Nineveh. He believes that those who take the sword will themselves perish by the sword, He believes that tyranny leads to sucide that the Chaldeans are criminals and that injustice must lead to decay

These are the woes:

       I.          Woe to him who long for new conquest, so that he may gain more plunder chapter 2:6-8, such a plunderer shall himself be plundered

     II.          Woe to him who oppresses others. Cities built by violent and cruelty shall certaingly be destroyed vrs 12

   III.          Woe to him who thinks alone of his own gain and welfare such a policy is a sucide and those who follows it will in due time loose their own soul vrs 9-11

  IV.          Woe to him who humiliate the vanquished (the poor) so that he may gloat ( rejoice) over their hopelessness and defeat. With what measure he meet shall be measure back to him. Vrs 15-17.

    V.          Woe to him who foolishly go to dump/deaf idols ( odi orisa ti ko lee soro) for instruction. Idolatry make no sense and an image is only a  teacher of lies. Vrs 18-20.

6.     Habakkuk’s Prayer Poem – chapter 3.

The third chapter of Habakkuk is one of the most beautiful songs of praise in the old testament. It’s though is higy, its expression is beautiful and his language is pure

i.                 A prayer asking God to renue the work of his deliverance in the midst of the year 3:4

ii.               The lord’s appearance to the prophet; God comes from Teman ad Param in a thunder cloud 3:1-5 compare with Deu 33:2, Judges 5:4

iii.             The effect of God’s wonderful appearance on Habakkuk. At first he’s feaful and uncertain but afterward he became calm and joyfully confident 3: 16-19

TEACHING OF THE BOOKS

1.     The fact of divine discipline

2.     The fact that evil destroys himself (eniyan buburu ni yi pararerun)

3.     The fact that we can live only by faith

In conclusion; one of the important lesson Habakkuk mentioned must be mentioned. It is that courage in time of crises. Chapter 3:17-19. One who read the book of Habbakkuk carefully will see that he asking the reader to be courageous and happy under all circumstances. Habbakkuk want man to lift up his heart to God and ther found peace. When one is cut off from all outward possession. He must rest in God alone and found in God confidence and joy. Such a Joyous confidence Habakkuk Posses and could therefore shows it to others. Chapter 3:17-19

ZEPHANIAH THE PROPHET OF ORATOR’

NAME AND GENELOGY

Beside the Prophet who we study in this chapter, two other Zephanih are mentioned in the old testament. One of these belongs to the Kohathites of the tribe of Levite. He was an ancestor of Heman the singer 1chr6:36. The other Zephaniah was a priest who lived at the time of Jeremiah and who wanted Israel to be friendly with Egypt, 2king 25.

In the Hebrews the name Zephaniah means whom the Lord protected Psalm 27:5. This is the meaning which fit the message of the Prophet. Zephaniah probably lived in Jerusalem

DATE OF ZEPHANIAH

The opening verse declares that Zephaniah prophesied in the days of Josiah. This will make Zephaniah’s day to be between 639-608BC. The general tone of the book seems to agree with this. In the book the prophet, clearly condemned the Israelite for their idolatory, corruption, violence and injustive of which they were guilty. And yet Zephaniah does not speak against any particular evil. He wanted his book to be a book that will speak to people of all time and places. Therefore he did not speak against any particular time, particular place or people. Passing event do not seems it concerned this prophet, he is a prophet of all times. His message is relevant to every time, places and people

THE THEME OF HIS MESSAGE

The great theme and the only theme in the book of Zephaniah is “the  coming day of the Lord”. On that day the Lord will reveal Himself in His fulness to the whole world. He will judge evil doers and will complete His redemption among His people

THE CONTENT OF HIS BOOK

The great content of the Zephaniah’s prophecy is the day of the Lord. This subject he treat it in three part

1.     Threatening and Judgement – Chapter 1; This part announces with condemnation and threat the coming day of the Lord’s wrath. This wrath will fall upon the whole earth, but it will be directed especially upon the idolators and those who fell away from God in Jerusalem and in Judah

2.      Warnings and Admontion - Chapter 2; this were directed to the nations around Israel; Philistine Moab, amon, Ethopia and Assyria. They are followed by an earnest appeal to Jerusalem to repent so that it may escape the doom that will fall on the will ful sinners. 3:1-7

3.     Encouragement and Promise – Chapter 3 : 8-20; Salvation is promised to those who repent, especially to the reminant of Israel. This will become known throughout the world as the redeemed of the Lord who will dwell in His Presence for ever.

THE VALUE OF HIS BOOK

The book of Zephaniah is a small book but valuable. It is short but no book should be estimatied by its length alone. There are permanent teachings in Zephaniah of which we ought to take note. They are as follows:

1.     The constant necessity of warning 1:14-16

2.     The deep moral concern of the whole book. Zephaniah said it is necessary for the Lord to visit Israel with discipline and judgement. He said Israel must be tried and in her trial the good will be preserved and evil will be destroyed. Chapter 3:7-13.

3.     The spiritual nature of God’s kingdom chapter 3:14-20. These few verses are one of the writings about the end time in the old testament. Judah’s captivity will come to an end and Judah will be free. The nation of Israel will be full of the glory of God.

THE STYLE OF WRITTINGS OF ZEPHANIAH

            Zephaniah’s way of written is to speak clearly, about his subject in strong language. Gentleness and pleasantness are not outstanding in his written but the vigour and streght of his speaking make up for these no prophet ever made the day of the Lord so real ad clear like Zephaniah. The thunder of the day of wrath that is coming rolls so powerfully through the book so that translator could render it fully into another language.

            Conclusion; Zephaniah shows new thought less than most other prophet. His style is similar to that of Isaiah, He knows how to repeat words and phrases skillfully so as to give added strength to his words some of his expressions are very striken.

Chapter 1:12, 17 and 2:1

“I will search Jerusalem with lamps” 1:12

“They will walk line blinds” 1:17

“Oh nation that has no shame” 2:1

            It has been said if anyone desire to see the utterances of te prophet in a brief space, let him read through the small book of Zephaniah.Zephaniah consider not only Israel but all the land and nations in reviewing the spiritual affairs of the whole earth. This is what makes Zephaniah such a valuable book.

HAGGAI THE PROPHET OF TEMPLE BUILDING

PERSONAL HISTROY

Little is know Haggai beside the truth tht he was the first prophet of the Jewish colony that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem in 536BC.

Both in his own book and in Ezra 5:1, He is introduced as Haggai the prophet

Haggai chapter 2:3 may indicate that Haggai was an old man when he prophesied. In any case, it seems to have been senior to Zachariah, for when their names occurs together, Haggai is being always mentioned first Ezra 5:1. One ancient tradition even declares that he was born in Jerusalem, was carried into captivity by Nebuchadinezer in 586BC, and was then allowed by Cyrus to return to the Holy city in 535BC. This will make him rather old man indeed. Three ancient versions of old testament placed Haggai and Zachariah name on some certain Psalm. The three version are

1.     The greek which is also called (the Septuagint)

2.     The latine Version (Volgate)

3.     Syriac (Peshitta)

Some sholars believe that Haggai and Zachariah may be the author of these psalms which are

·       Psalm 111

·       Psalm 125

·       Psalm 137

·       Psalm 145

·       Psalm 146

·       Psalm 147

·       Psalm 148

Haggai’s name in Hebrew comes from a word which indicate rapid or excited movement as in dancig. This suggest that Haggai was born on a feast day. The name Festus which means Feast is a good example of this in Roman history. Hebrew means a people were some times formed in these ways, e.g “Brazillari” which means a man iron comes from the words called Barzel which means iron. On the other hand, the name Haggai comes from Haggaiah which means festival of the Lord. 1chr 6:30. The name Haggai may be an abbreviation of Hagariah which means. “The Lord girds.

HIS WORK

            The rebuilding of the temple is the centre of Haggai’s message. All his preaching turns around this theme. It was his supreme purpose to rouse up the Jews of Jerusalem, to rise up and rebuild the temple of  Solomon which Nebuchadinezer had destroyed in 586BC. No prophet ever preached more directily or earnestly to his country men, nor was any prophet more successful as Haggai. His young colleague, Zechariah, was like wise called to assist in the same great undertaken. Haggai preached only during a short and critical period. Zechariah wrote his vision of temple building, and he added to them spiritual prophesies that are valuable for all times

THE TIME OF HAGGAI

All of Haggai’s prophesies took place in the second year of Darius Hag 1:1, 15, 2:10. This was 520BC. Many of Ezekiel’s prophesies were writing at the same time. If we wish to understand the work of Haggai and the timing which he lived, we must consult the book of Ezra. In this book of Ezra many details are given about Haggai ad the time his time which cannot found in the book of Haggai itself.

Note especially Ezra 1:1-5 and 4:24, to 6:25. In this section we learn that a return took place to the holy land. This return which might be a second exodus from boundage, was made Possible by cyrus the king of Passia. He gave the Jews permission to return to Jerusalem Ezra 1:1-4. Their leaders were Zerubabell who had governing authority and Joshua who was the religious leader under this two men 42,360 Jews were returned back to Pallestine. They settle in Jerusalem and in the Neigbouring towns of Bethlehem, Bethel anathoth, Gideon and else where Ezra 2.

            The book of Ezra further tells us that Cyrus’ permission to rebuild the temple was not carried out for many years Ezra 4:1-11. The Jewish exile had retured from Babylon and they were eager to re-establish again the worship of the temple. They had setup the altar of burnt offering on it old place (Ezra 3:2,3), and they had even laid the foundation of temple itself. Ezra 3:8-10.

But we know that they were unable to complete to the work of temple which they had began. The Sammaritans hindered them, this were half pagan people and were descendant of captive from other country who had been forced to stay at Samaria through the king called sargon, the king of Syria, in 722BC (IIkings 17:24-41). When the Jews refused the offer of the Samaritans to help build the temple the Samaritans became their enemies in the difficulty with them that followed, the temple building became a halt all together. Ezra 4:1-5, 24. Ezra 5:16

For sixteen years, the work of the temple building stand still. The eagerness of the early return because in difference. Money making became the chief interest in their heart, it even seems that the jew almost welcome opposition to the rebuilding of God’s house because it made it possible for them to spend their time and money on the building of their very displeased and poor years followed for the Jews Haggai 1:14-1

            When Darious became king, However a new time began for the Jews in Jerusalem. Darius became king 521BC. The Passian empire was not strong. Darius therefore began the work of unifing and strong theningh the empire. The great kings who had ruled before him like Cyrus and Cambyss had been mainly war kings. They had conquered other countries had enlarged the empire. But now many of the tribes that had been conquered of tried to become indepent again. When Darius became king, rebellious broke out throughout the empire. Twenty three provimces revolted, among them were Susiana, Media, Assyria, Armenia, and Parthia.

In sub dueing the rebellion, Darious fought nineteen battles. These events shook the empire of Passia to its foundation, especially in the year 520BC in which Haggai preached. Haggai 2:6,7,21,22. Haggai seems to consider the shaking of the nations as an events that must preceed the apperace of the Messiah, and he looks upon the rebuilding of the temple as a necessary preparation for Israel to receive their divine king.

ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK

Since Haggai prophecies are all dated, it is easy to study them

1.     Chapter 1 vs 1-11

This prophecy was open on the first day of the Sixth month of the Jewish year. (sept in this present day calendar.

In the year 520BC. In it, the prophet rebuked the people because of their indifference to the house of the Lord. He warns them that, it is because of ther indifferences to rebuilding of the Lord’s temple, that has not given them harvest in their farm. Chapter 1:10, 2:16. He therefore calls on them to consider their ways. Chapter 1:57. The result of Haggai rebuke and appeal to the people was that only 24days later, they began to work. Chapter 1:14-15

2.     Chapter 21:1-9

This prophecy was delivered on the 21^st day of seventh month (October). It was spoken to encourage the temple builder. They wanted to build a temple which its size and beauty would be like solomon’s temple. They did not see how they could build so expensive structure and they were discouraged, but the prophet assured them that the Lord will “shake” the nations and the treasure of nations shall come in and the Lord will fill this house with splendor. Hagg 2:7-8, Heb 12:26-28

3.     Chapter 2:10 -19

This prophecy was given on the 4^th day of the nineth month (December), exactly 3 months after the work of building the temple began. Like the first prophecy, it is a rebuke to people. The prophet charges that their neglect to rebuilding the temple had a bad effect on their whole life. By using an illustration; he shows how unclean can make the whole things around it unclean. Hagg 2:11-14.

            He call on people to remove the unclean things in their lives. Namely, Their in differences to the temple building. If they would work hard in building the temple He would bless them and fruitful season would follow their obediene. Hagg 2:19,            Zech 8:9-12.

4.     Chapter 2:20-23

This prophecy was delivered on the same date of the 3^rdprophecy, it announces that the time is near when the throne of kingdom would be overthrown. Then Zerubabbel would be made king of Jerusalem in the house of David. He would be the honoured and trusted ruler of Israel under God. He will be the Royal ring on the hand of the Lord. Jer22:24

PERMANENT LESSON

Haggai’s message covers only 38 verses. This brief prophecy is of course not the whole of his message of Israel. His prophetic activities made the temple building goes forward. Ezra 5:1, 6:14. The result of Haggai’s preaching is a result of his victory. It was not an easy task to persuade the whole people to sacrifice their business profit for the building of the Lord’s temple, but Haggai did this. In so doing, He became the true founder of Judaism, that existed after the exile. His work was a preparation for the work of Ezra and Nehemiah.

These are the permant lesson from Haggai

1.     All successful preaching has its source in God

2.     The sin of delaying to do God’s will is a spreading disease

3.     The church is the religion centre in the world

ZECHARIAH (THE SEER)

            The first verses of the book speak of Zechariah as the sn of  Berichaiah, son of Iddo. Chapter 1:1-17. In Ezra, he was simply spoken of as the son of Iddo. Doubless, the same prophet is spoke of in both books. In Ezra, he spoken of as the one who lived at the same time as Haggai. The agrees perfectly with the date given to their prophesies in both Haggai and Zechariah. Haggai 1:1, Hgg 2: 10, Zech 1:1-17. They have same task to perform, they are to lead and encourage the temple. Zechariah was probably younger than Haggai. Zech 2:14, Hagg 2:3. He was a man of great wisdom and understanding. He was able as gew before him had being to read the future. Since he was a priest, as well as Prophet. Neh 12:16 and also the head of a father’s house, his influence in Israel is very great. His name seems to suggest that he had been given a special gift and abilities for  it means he whom the Lord remembers. Meaning (OLUWARANTI)

THE TIME OF ZECHARIAH

The earliest date of Zechariah is the secod year of Darius, we know that this was the year 520BC. The last date that we have of the prophet is the 4^th year of king Darius reign, Zech 1:1-7, Zech 7:1. It is quite possible until the year 516BC when the temple was completed. Ezra 6:15

The time which Zechariah lived were therefore same as time of Haggai, because Haggai started his  prophetic ministry only a couple months before Zechariah began his own ministry. Haggai 1:1, Zech 1:1. At this time, ther were as we have seen upheaval and revolution. When we reading Zechariah 1:11, therefore that all the earth remain at rest, this means that “All opposition to the Jews has ceased”. So that they should continue the work of Building temple. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, the prediction of Jeremiah about the 70 year had fulfilled. Jer 25:11, 29:10. Work was began on the temple under the leadership of Joshua and Zerubabel. The opposition of the neigbour of the Jews had made it necessary to postpone the completion of God’s house. During this postponement the Jews had groan discouraged because they were not able to restore Zion. The foundation of the temple had long been laid, yet there was no building erected on them. The altar of burnt offering had been set up in it former place, but there were no priest who are worthy to serve at the Altar. Ezra 3:2-3 Zech 3:3

When the life of a minister is not worthy and unclean the work of the ministry will delay. Zech 3:3. This Joshya was putting on filthy rag, he can not offered sacrifice

Note Jesus and Joshua has the same meaning

Jesus

Joshua

Yeshua

They give the same meaning in Hebrew language

ANALYSIS AND CONTENT OF THE BOOK

The prophecy of Zechariah fall naturally into two part; the first part is Chapter 1-8, the second part is Chapter 9-14. Both begings with the time Zechariah lives and looked forward to the end time that is to come

1.     Chapter 1-8

This consist of  three messages that were delivered on three separate occasion

a.      Chapter 1:1 to Chapter 6; it is an introduction to the whole book and it was delivered in the eight month of the second year of Darius that is 519BC. It setforth the character of the whole book. It is one of the strongest and most deeply spirttual call to repentance in the entire old testament

b.     Chapter 1:7 to Chapter 6; in this section, we found different eight visions which Zechariah saw in the night. This vision are symbol or picture of the way which God will deal with Israel. They are the way which God’s command to Zechariah to crown Joshua the high priest. All these night vison were delivered on the 24^th day 11 month of the second year of Darius. The visions were intended to encourage the Jewish colony in Jerusalem to continue and to complete the building of the house of God.

They teah us the following lessons

1.               The heavenly messangers. Chapter 1:17-17, this vision teaches God’s special care for an interest of the people of Israel. It state very clearly that “My house shall be built”

2.               The four horns and four smiths Chapter 1:18-21; this vision teaches that Israel enemy had finally destroyed themselbes through the war that they have made. There’s no longer any opposition to the building of God’s hous

Horns in the bible means king or kingdom

The kingdom of Satan is divided into four parts

i.                 Principalities

ii.               Power; These are up to six in numbers, example of this is family idols

iii.             Rulers of darkness of this world; they are numbered and was divided into many categories

iv.             Spiritual wickedness of the high places

The world is also divide into four cardinal point

Vrs 20; These four Blacksmith are the one’s God sent to destroy these four kingdom with hammer in their hands. Each blacksmith to reach kingdom to destroy those kingdom

There is no way you will see the blacksmith without hammer and the hammer here means the words of God according to the book of Jeremiah.

3.               The man with a measuring line in his hands. Chapter 2; This vision teaches that God will again make Jerusalem a geat city. God will Himself dwell in Jerusalem. He will protect it and the city will grow until it becomes metropolise. It shal have no wall because God will build a wall of fire round about it and He will be the Glory in the midst of it

4.               Joshue the High Priest dressed in the dirty garment, bear the sins of himself and people. Chapter 3; This visions teaches that priesthood will be cleansed and that it would be continued. It will become a picture of the Messaiah brach who is to come. In this day the iniquity of the land will be taken away

5.               The Golden Candle Stick And The Two Olive Trees. Chapter 4; This vison teaches that the spiritual things will be stronger than physical “ Not by might, not by power but my spirit says the Lord of Host” Zech 4:6. Through the two anointed ones that talks about the two olive tree. Zerubabbel the leader of the society and Joshua the leader of Jews congregation Zech 4:14. The light of God’s Temple will burn with brightness. In this way the house of God will be built

·       The Golden candle stick means live (iye)

·       The two olive tree are the two spiritual leaders, Zerubabbel and Joshua

·       As the oil from Olive tree is droping into the Candle stick, the fire will keep burning and glowing

6.               A flying role or scroll. Chapter 5:1-4; This vision tells us that God has pronounced a cause upon wickedness and intends to cut off all sinners

7.               The Ephah. Chapter 5:5-11; This vision describes wickedness as a evil woman, she is in the Ephah which will be carried away into the land of Shimna.

Zechariah want to say here that when the temple is rebuilt, sin will be removed from the land.

If the sin will be conqured totally in the church, their should be restricting of the church and pastorate.

8.               The Four Chariots; Chapter 6:1-8; This vision teaches that four chariots comes away from the presence of the Lord of all the eath. Therefore they are for protection of God’s people and the Holy sanctuary. Nehemiah may build the wall of the city but the real protection of Jerusalem is God’s watchfulness over it

c.       

i.                 Chapter 7 to chapter 8

These two chapters are Zechariah answer to the men who came to him from Bethel to ask about fasting. It was delivered on the 4^th day of ninth month of the 4^th year of Darius. This was in 518BC since the downfall of Jerusalem in 586BC, the Jews had fasted on the anivassaries of four great even in their recent history. These four event and the time of the year which they were celebrated were ;

a.      The capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadinezar – 4^th month of the year

b.     The burning of the temple by Nebuchadinezar – 5^th month of the year

c.      The murder of Gedeliah the governor – 7^th month of the year

d.     The beginning of the siege of Jerusalem- 10^th month of the year

In his reply to the men of Bethel, Zechariah emphasis that Israel fast shall cease to be fast sorrow and will become festival of joy. Many nation sall joined the Israelite to seek the Lord of Host in Jerusalem. Zech 8:18-23. The prophecy of this Chapter is manifest till now which means the people going to Jerusalem for pilgrimage.

ii.               Chapter 9-14;

This make up the second part of the book of Zechariah they are made up of two oracles or prophecy which had no date given to them

a.      A prophecy given concerning a new “Theocracy”. Chapter 9-11. Theocracy means the government controlling by God. While Democracy is the government controlling by man

This section contains the promises about the land in which Israel will dwell, and of victoy over a great enemy kingdom. It also speaks of blessing given in the field and of the home and of national strength

This section class with a parable of judgement that has been caued by Israel’s rejection of God and the shepherd who he had sent. In Chapter 9 Zechariah prophesied that Judah and Ephraim will be restored and united, and they will be victorious over their enemies. They are also promised a land and a king in chapter 10, Israel is to be punished for rejection the shepherd by care that God has had for her.

b.     A prophecy describing the victory is of the new Theocracy and the coming day of the Lord. Chapter 12-14. This section is particulary concerned with the end time. It present three pictures, each separate and clear, of the event that will accompany the end. Thus in chapter 12. Jerusalem shall be deceived by her enemies but will be saved by the Lord’s power. In chapter 13, a reminant of Israel that has been purified by adversity will be presered. In chapter 14, the nation that has besiege Jerusalem and taken it shall come up together to the city and will keep the joyous feast of terbanacle with the Jews.

In that day, everything shall become Holy; even the pots in Jerusalem and the bells on the harness neck of their houses. All things even the smallest will be dedicated to God. The whole section is a ground vision for  judgement and Redemption in the end time.

THE NAME OF ZECHARIAH IN THE BIBLE

1.     Zechariah the son of Jehoada the High Priest, he was stoned to death at the command of king Joash 2chr 24:20-21

2.     Two chief men who return from Babylon with Ezra 8:3 8,11, 16

3.     The father of Iddo Ichr 27:21

4.     The son Jeberechaiah Isaiah 8:2

5.     A chief of Reuben Ichr 5:7

6.     A Benjamite Ichr 9:37 called Zachar Ichr 8:31

7.     A priest Ichr 15:24

8.     A prince from Judah IIchr 17:7

9.     A son of Jehosaphat IIchr 21:2

10.  A man who lived in the time of Uziah IIchr 26:5

11.  A man who took a foreign wife Ezra 10:26

12.  A prince who stood beside Ezra while he read the book of law. Neh 8:14

13.  Two descendant of Pharez. Neh 11:4-5

14.  Another Zechariah was mentioned in Ichr 9:21, 26:2,14

15.  Another Zechariah was mentioned in Ichr 15:18,20, 16:5

16.  Another Zechariah was mentioned in Ichr 24:25

MALACHI (THE LECTURER)

THE NAME OF THE AUTHOR

            We do not knw anything about prophet Malach apart from His book who carries his name. Since he was the last old testament prophet, we would expect him to be well known but this is not the case. Since the name Malachi does not reflict elsewhere in the old testaments, some people think that it may not have being the real name of the author. From the second century AD. However, Malachi had been properly regarded as a name of Man

            The name Malachi means “My Messager”. This is the very word that is used in Malachi 3:1, and 2:7. The Hebrew word called “Malakhi” may be an abbreviation of “Malakhiyah” which means messager of the Lord. The prophet Haggai was expressly called a messenger of the Lord. It is of course possible that the name may not be His name but that he took the name have been a great her because of his boldness to speak to attack the Priesthood as it is. The meaning of the name is therefore significant.

THE TIME OF THE PROPHET

The book does not say when it was written. However, it is generally believes that the author lived at the same time as Ezra and Nehemiah. He therefore wrote sometime between 460 to 430BC. It was in the time of Passian rule. The temple had been rebuilt and been dedicated in 516BC. The worship and daily sacrifice had been going on now for about 65years. Spiritual life does not high is Israel, the priest become lax and unspiritual. Animals that were not fit for sacrifice were being sacrificed on the altar. The people were not paying their tithe and divorce was common. God’s convenant was forgotten and the people questioned weather God was righteous. They asked sincerely whether they were really the people whom. He had choosen. These we known were exatly the conditionsa which exisated in Nehemiah’s day. Neh 3:5, 5:1-3. The evil which the prophet attacked are the same as those which Nehemiah tried to correct when he visited Jerusalem for the second time in 432BC. Neh 13:7-14

SIX CHARGES AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE BOOK OF MALACHI

I

 

THE VALUE OF MALACHI MESSAGE

Malachi was an Israelite who love Israel and had desired to become a powerful nation again. The first purpose of his written was to encourage his people. The prediction of Haggai had not been fulfilled as yet. This disheartened the people. They wanted to see the kingdo of the Messiah become a reality. They doubt about God’s provindence and Justice, and their root in this disappointment. A new reformation of the people was necessary. To do this, He emphasize the following main point;

i.                 The true value of spiritual worship. Chapter 1:64

ii.               The crime of divorce. Chapter 2:10

iii.             The coming of the Messiah and his Kingdom. Chapter 3:1

iv.             The eternal discipline of the law. Chapter 4:4-6, 2:7-8 and chapter 2:17 to 3:12

In conclusion, it is clear from the book fo Malachi that the people were already been influenced by their closer knowledge of the great nation around. More and more they were leaving behing them, the ancient ceremonies and the old beliefs of the fathers. Malachi met this new spirit in Israel by holding hight the law of Moses. The keeping of the law had been the real cause of the nation’s strength in the year past

      Malachi knew how to keep and use all that was good in the past. As with Christ so as it is with Malachi, not one lot or little of the word ever pass away or become useless. With God all things are possible, keeping the law of the Lord and it shall be well with you.

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