A lot of the book of Amos is fairly brutal and bleak. Then the Sovereign Lord showed me another vision. In it I saw a basket filled with ripe fruit. “What do you see, Amos?” he asked. I replied, “A basket full of ripe fruit.” Then the Lord said, “Like this fruit, Israel is ripe for punishment! I will not […]
Read More MWTM: Amos Part 2 – Hope of RestorationThe scope of the prophecies of Amos is intriguing. Amos comes from the southern nation of Judah, but the majority of what he is told to say is for the northern nation of Israel. It doesn’t end there, though, for Amos has a remit to speak to a range of nations and powerhouses to let […]
Read More MWTM: Amos Part 1 – He Sees, He KnowsThe Day of the Lord in Joel is not a pleasant experience on initial reading with all the devastation, destruction and desolation. That’s not the only aspect of the day to look forward to. If all of that is the necessary night that needs to happen, then there’s also a day to look forward to. […]
Read More MWTM: Joel Part 2 – Good DayThe prophet Joel is interesting for a lot of reasons and reading what He says in three oracles is fascinating to get an idea of who God is and how He engages not just with His people, but with those around His people. A major theme of this prophetic utterance is the Day of the […]
Read More MWTM: Joel Part 1 – Bad DayGod has a relationship with His people. That relationship is confirmed with a covenant. God’s chosen people were chosen not because of anything they had to offer, but because of God’s character of love. It is this godly love that is established throughout the collection of writings from Hosea. As with a number of key […]
Read More MWTM: Hosea Part 1 – The FaithlessSovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! (Luke 2:29-32) Some people have been waiting for a long […]
Read More Glad I Lived To See ThisThe 26 year old monarch had established himself as a refreshingly godly kind of King. For the majority of his conscious life he ruled the kingdom of Judah and endeavoured to do so in a way like David the standard of kings. So it was understandable that he would have a concern for the temple […]
Read More The Kings II 22 – Torn: Look What I FoundJudah never had a king like Hezekiah. His reign represented a high point in the age of the monarchy in the southern kingdom. They had not had it so good before and they would not have it that good again. When he was struck ill with a sickness that should have lead to his death, […]
Read More The Kings II 20 – Hezekiah: Healed and OverexposedWhen Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” (2 Kings 9:22 NIV) Her influence had determined the religious outlook of the northern kingdom of Israel over the reigns of three kings. […]
Read More The Kings II 09 – Justice for JezebelHazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?” “The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” answered Elisha. (2 Kings 8:13 NIV) Years before, God had instructed Elijah to put people in place who would carry out the necessary judgment on the wickedness of Israel. The […]
Read More The Kings II 08 – The Rise of Hazael
Life With CD 