There are 66 books in the Bible.
That in itself should give an indication as to the nature of the Bible. It is a library. A library featuring a number of books and with that there are a number of different styles of writing in it. Even within the genres there are different ways of expression just as there are different personalities expressing.
As someone brought up in a Christian environment, there were elements of the Bible that were assumed and although Bible Study was encouraged and practised, that did not necessarily mean Bible understanding took place. Certain parts of the Bible were given attention over others and although reading the whole Bible was something said, even that encouragement could be reduced to a ritual. For example pointing folks to plans to read the Bible in a year would often be treated like New Year’s resolutions; an initial enthusiastic plunge into following the plans in January, momentum stumbling by April and the busyness of life making it a chore rather than a delight. By October and November if they are reading it, they certainly aren’t engaging with what they’re reading and it’s not making much change to how they live or what they appreciate.
Those are generalisations, to be fair, but the challenge of knowing God through His Word is something that He encourages us to do wholeheartedly. Discipline definitely helps with that, but the commitment from the heart is so crucial. No point n giving piecemeal and tokenistic efforts to God.
This is particularly noteworthy when it came to the opportunity to March With The Minors. A major running theme with a number of these prophets was criticising the hypocrisy of God’s people claiming to worship Him but at the same time still dealing treacherously with Him either through blatant idolatry or through practising injustice.
Going through these twelve prophets over the month highlighted for me just how much these men have to offer in understanding the nature of God and the nature of humanity. A major theme for any follower of Jesus has to be the Kingdom of God. This is something that Jesus devoted His time to proclaiming and pointing people towards. That Kingdom is something that prophets were pointing His people back to and offering people the hope of seeing realised even if they had to face tough consequences for their disobedience.
This Kingdom rule wasn’t just exclusive to His people, there were ramifications for the neighbouring nations. It was fascinating seeing how certain prophets even indicated that God was known and would be known by those who were not a part of Israel. Blatant hints and nudges towards the eternal purpose of God being global in nature as well as national in specific application.
Reading these prophets, there is no doubt that God is a caring and loving Creator and King. The values of justice and mercy are so important to Him. These are not in contention with each other and He always applies these in a righteous way. There’s no doubt that He is eager to show mercy even to strangers who repent and turn to Him. At the same time the theme of the Day of the Lord – prominent among the prophets – is about executing judgement. It’s not for us to seek to do that on His behalf – He will be apply it Himself in the fullness of time and just as history highlights how He applied, so we can trust Him to deliver it in completion that sees righteousness alone remain.
As these prophets highlight the tendency of God’s people in that covenant relationship, it continues to challenge me about my own relationship with God. Reading these words never lets me off the hook a tall. I can’t afford for a minute to think that this was something to do with them back then that couldn’t possibly affect me here and now. It doesn’t take much at all to see how the hypocrisy and pathetic approach to the relationship could seep in and inform my relationship.
Also bearing in mind that these prophets were addressing a community of people and so I have to consider the lessons to be learned in the context of ongoing Christian relationships, their purpose and function. Experience has taught me that it’s not unusual for Christian collectives to completely miss Christ in pursuit of retaining some values or prestige. Reading of the remnant among these prophets I can see now groups that would be keen to associate themselves as the modern equivalent because of their devotion to certain doctrines. Yet that doctrinal devotion doesn’t mean anything if the overall commitment to covenant relationship doesn’t shape how we engage with each other so we can be examples of those who are filled with the Spirit of God to display His life in such a way that encourages others to see Him and follow Him.
It has been a blessing to appreciate these twelve prophets over the month of March. It’s certainly not with the belief that they’re covered and I don’t need to return to them. There is more than enough to be returning to the likes of Nahum against Nineveh or Zephaniah’s dire warnings. It reinforces Paul’s encouragement to refer to these scriptures for training in righteousness. It’s easy to neglect these prophets because they don’t appear to ‘say anything to me in the 21st Century’ which is why folks pick and choose tidbits to fit their own agendas. It’s a gross injustice to what God expresses through these men. It’s worthwhile appreciating them for the judgement that God must bring about as well as the hope of restoration that fills the pages. Jesus does not come and negate these words at all. He fulfils them, highlights them and inspires the followers to consider how they all point to Him and the Kingdom He brings.
I am sure that if I were to do another March With The Minors there would be lots more that could be said about these men and their engagement with God. It is worth knowing that they all remind us of the importance of knowing God and living for Him.
God help us with that.
(Photo by Pepe Reyes on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 