"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it…" Ezekiel 22:30
Who was Ezekiel? Ezekiel was born into the priestly family of Zadok in 622BC. Along with Daniel, Ezekiel was among the first Judeans to be deported into Babylonian exile, in 597BC, when Nebuchadnezzar first captured Jerusalem. In the exile of 593BC, to reduce the conquered people to helplessness, Nebuchadnezzar deported 7,000 army officers and soldiers, 1,000 craftsmen and around 10,000 artisans. Ezekiel lived in the city of Tel-Abib, on the River Chebar. The name Ezekiel means God Strengthens. The prophet Ezekiel is also referred to 83 times as "Son of man." This is a title that our Lord used for Himself. No other prophet is known by this title. While it depicts frailty on behalf of the prophet, the Messianic title as used by our Lord emphasised authority. Called and Commissioned At the age of 30, when he would have started his priesthood, Ezekiel was called to be a prophet. While Jeremiah was warning the people in Jerusalem, Ezekiel was ministering amongst the exiles in Babylon, at the same time as Daniel was serving in the courts of Babylon. Ezekiel is the only prophetic book that is autobiographical. Only in the Book of Ezekiel does the prophet write in the first person. Ezekiel demonstrates a fascinating and unique style of ministry. He used symbols, parables, poems, proverbs and artistic street theatre to dramatically present the prophecies and visons entrusted to him by God. When Ezekiel was called and commissioned as a prophet, God told him that he would make his forehead like flint, so that nothing would be able to discourage him. When the people became more rebellious, intransigent and hard-hearted, refusing to heed his warnings, Ezekiel needed to be single-minded in his determination to be faithful to his mission.
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"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3
Who was Daniel? As a young man of 16 years, Daniel was exiled from Jerusalem, in 605BC, when Babylon conquered Jerusalem. Daniel and his three friends were selected for special training and service in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, because they were "good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve…" Daniel 1:4. Although in exile, in a foreign land, Daniel rose to the highest levels of leadership under three kings, yet without compromising his Faith. Daniel means: "God is my Judge." One of the Greatest Prophets Daniel was a contemporary of the prophets Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah. Ezekiel described Daniel as one of the most righteous and wise examples of integrity, along with Noah and Job (Ezekiel 14:14). Our Lord Jesus quotes from the prophet Daniel in Matthew's Gospel. Historic Background The Book begins in 605BC when Babylon conquered Jerusalem and exiled Daniel and other nobles from Jerusalem to Babylon. It continues to the demise of the Babylonian Empire in 539BC when the Medo-Persian Empire conquered Babylon (5:30-31), and goes on to the rule of the Persian king Cyrus, who gave permission for the exiles to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (10:1). Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon for 45 of its 70 years of existence. Babylon ruled the most powerful empire that had existed up to that time. Daniel lived through the whole 70 years of Babylon’s existence, seeing its rise and fall. Daniel bridges the entire 70 years of the Babylonian captivity (605-536BC); (Daniel 1:1-9; 1-3). Daniel is referred to by the Book of Hebrews as one of "…the prophets; who through faith… stopped the mouths of lions" Hebrews 11:32-33. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…" Hosea 4:6
The Book of Hosea is about God's steadfast love for His people in spite of their continued unfaithfulness, vividly depicted by Hosea's marital experience. The Holiness of God, the depravity of man, the seriousness of sin, the inevitability of judgment and the amazing grace of God are strikingly portrayed throughout the Book of Hosea. The Prodigal Wife Hosea married Gomer only to discover that she was unfaithful. Although separation followed, Hosea's love for Gomer, like God's love for His own people, persisted, and reconciliation for the prodigal wife was eventually accomplished. Hosea's life and ministry dramatically portrays God's steadfast love for His Covenant people. In spite of Israel's idolatry and immorality, the Lord seeks to restore His unfaithful bride. The story of Gomer, the wife of Hosea, can be summed up in three words, sin, punishment and restoration. Who was Hosea? Hosea is the first of the twelve minor prophets. Hosea, like his contemporary prophet Amos, prophesied to the Northern kingdom of Israel at the same time Isaiah and Micah were ministering to the Southern kingdom of Judah. When Hosea began his ministry (2 Kings 14:23-17:41), it was during the reign of King Jeroboam II (782-753), when material prosperity and spiritual bankruptcy characterised Israel. His ministry followed that of Amos in the North and he was contemporary with the prophets Isaiah and Micah who prophesied in Judah to the South. 2 Chronicles 26-32 record the historical background of Hosea's ministry. Idolatry and Harlotry The Old Testament frequently uses prostitution as an image of the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is like marital unfaithfulness against the Lord. Harlotry (in Hebrew Zanah) refers to illicit sexual relationships. The Northern kingdom of Israel is also frequently called Ephraim after its largest tribe. "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved."
Joel 2:32 Who was Joel? Joel, the son of Pethuel, prophesied to the Southern Kingdom of Judah in the 9th century B.C, while Hosea was prophesying to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. As a young man Joel would have been exposed to the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Joel is one of the earliest of the written prophets. Joel means "Jehovah is my God." Joel focuses on the Holiness and Judgement of God. The Historic Context The books of 1 and 2 Kings provide the historic background for the ministry of Joel. While Joel refers to priests, there is no reference to a king. Between 841 to 835 B.C. Queen Athalaih ruled Judah. Athalaih had been the Queen Mother and when her son died she seized the throne and murdered all of her grandsons, except for Joash, who was hidden in the Temple, by the High Priest, to preserve the line of David. Athalaih was the daughter of the notorious Jezebel, the enemy of the prophet Elijah. Jezebel had wrought havoc in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. After Joel's prophecy calling for national repentance had been delivered, the people gained the courage to depose Athalaih and place 7-year-old Joash on the throne. A Plague of Locusts The prophecy of Joel begins with a natural disaster. A plague of locusts had devastated the country. Swarms of locusts of up to 600 million insects have been recorded, eating up to 80,000 tonnes of food a day, travelling at a speed of 16 kilometres a day and laying 5,000 eggs per square foot. In North Africa, where such swarms are common, they can blot out the sun and make midday seem like midnight. They can not only strip trees of their leaves but of their bark as well. "What the chewing locusts left, the swarming locusts have eaten; what the swarming locusts left the crawling locust has eaten; what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten." Joel 1:4. In Exodus 10 the 8th plague (of locusts) was sent by God on Egypt. In Deuteronomy 28 the Lord warned that one of the curses of disobedience would be plagues of locusts. "A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?"
Amos 3:8 Who Was Amos? Amos was a prophet from the Southern kingdom of Judah called to deliver a message primarily to the Northern tribes of Israel. He was not of priestly, or noble descent, but worked as a sheep breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit (7:14). Amos' name means "burden bearer". Amos was a contemporary of the prophets Jonah (2 Kings 14:25), Hosea (Hosea 1:1), and Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1). Amos came from Tekoa, a small town about 18km South of Jerusalem and 8km from Bethlehem. The village of Tekoa sits on an elevation of 2,700 feet overlooking the wilderness where John the Baptist, eight centuries later, grew up. As a young boy, Amos would have learned of the ministry of the prophet Jonah and he may have witnessed some of the ministry of Elijah and Elisha. Later in his ministry he would have known of the ministry of the prophet Hosea who continued his work after Amos concluded his ministry. Humble and Bold Amos was humble in not hiding his station in life. Amos was wise in not preaching over the heads of the people. Amos was fearless in not tickling their ears, but boldly proclaimed the truth. Amos was faithful in proclaiming the Word of God, even when it was unpalatable and unpopular to his hearers. Amos had a refreshing rugged frankness about him as he tore the blinders off peoples' eyes and showed them the inevitable consequences of their idolatry and injustice. When Was Amos Written? The Book of Amos was written in the mid-eighth century B.C. during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah (790-739 B.C.) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (793-753 B.C.). Two years before an earthquake (1:1; Zechariah 14:5) about 760 B.C. "For the Day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head." Obadiah 15
Obadiah means servant of the Lord. Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. The prophet Obadiah presented this vision from God in 845BC. This opened a period of 300 years, during which many prophets warned the people of God not to continue in ingratitude, injustice, immorality and idolatry. Words of Rebuke and Reassurance Obadiah warned Edom of imminent judgement and reassured God's people of His sovereign justice. Ultimately, it is not the evil will of men that will determine history, but the righteous purposes of God. When the people of God suffer persecution they need to turn to the prophecy of Obadiah to renew their faith that God cares for His suffering people and He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Esau the Red Obadiah proclaims judgement upon Edom. The Edomites descended from Esau, the first born (twin) son of Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 25:24-26), who struggled with Jacob, even while in the womb (Gen. 25:22). Esau's name means hairy because "he was like a hairy garment all over." Esau was also called Edom, meaning "red". From birth he was red-headed (Gen. 25:25). Despising His Heritage The Bible says that God loved Jacob, but he hated Esau (Malachi 1:2-3). Esau showed contempt for the Covenant by marrying two Hittite women, who were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen. 26:34-35). Esau later married a daughter of Ishmael (Gen. 28:9). Esau despised his heritage and sold his birthright for a mere plate of food (Gen. 25:33-34). "But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord." Jonah 2:9
A Prophet from Galilee Jonah (dove) the son of Amittai, is reported on in 2 Kings 14:25 as the prophet from Gath Hepher, who ministered in the reign of King Jeroboam II (793-753BC). It was during the reign of Jeroboam II and the ministry of the prophet Jonah, that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was able to reclaim the land which had been lost and extend their border beyond the frontier of Syria. The pharisees were wrong when they claimed that "No prophet has arisen out of Galilee" (John 7:52), because Jonah was a Galilean. By Jewish tradition, Jonah was the son of the widow of Zarephath, who Elijah raised from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24). Historic The Lord Jesus Christ refers to the Book of Jonah as an historic narrative firmly rooted in historic reality (Matthew 12:38-41; Luke 11:29-32). For those who think it impossible that a man could be swallowed whole by a whale, the Daily Mail of 14 December 1928, reported a whale carcass displayed for a week in Birmingham, where 12 men could fit through its mouth and into its belly at one time. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.
Who is Micah? The name of the prophet means, 'who is like the Lord?' In Micah 7; 8, the prophet uses a play on his own name by saying: "Who is a God like you?" Hosea was a contemporary of Isaiah who had also ministered in Judah, and Hosea who ministered to the ten Northern tribes of Israel. While Isaiah was born of royal blood, in the palace, a cousin of the king, Micah was a simple man from a poor region in the country. When Did Micah Minister? Micah prophesied during the reigns of King Jotham (750-731 B.C.), Ahaz (731-715 B.C.), and Hezekiah (716-686 B.C.). The Doom of Israel The rulers of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, are held directly responsible for its corruption. Samaria, the capital of Israel, had adopted calf worship, Baal worship and other Canaanite, Syrian and Assyrian idol worship. God sent Elijah, Elisha and Amos to warn the ten Northern tribes of Israel to repent, but they persisted in their wickedness. "Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from His holy Temple. For behold, the Lord is coming… The mountains will melt under Him… for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel… I will make Samaria a heap of ruins… All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, and all her pay as a harlot shall be burned with the fire..." Micah 1:2-7. "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him" Nahum 1:7.
About 150 years after Jonah had been sent to Nineveh, Nahum delivered "a burden against Nineveh" (about 660 B.C.). In the Book of Jonah we see that God controls the forces of nature (the storm, the whale and the worm). In the Book of Nahum, we see that God controls the forces of history (the rise and fall of nations). Understand the Times This often neglected and disparaged Book of Nahum provides us with a vital key for understanding past, present and future history. Events do not occur as random happenings. Every particular aspect and direction of history is determined by the will, purpose and power of God. Everything has consequences. God is Sovereign The Lord, the incomparable and all-powerful Creator God, is the Eternal Judge. He holds universal dominion over every state and nation. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. As a holy, covenant keeping God, He deserves, desires and demands undivided loyalty and complete obedience from everyone, everywhere, at all times. Rejection of Almighty God and violation of His Laws inevitably lead not only to serious consequences in society and nature, but inevitably evoke His wrath and judgment. "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14
Habakkuk is of great relevance to us today. It deals with difficult questions: Why do the innocent suffer? Why do the guilty go free? Why doesn't God punish the wicked? How can a Holy God overlook the wickedness all around us? Who was Habakkuk? Habakkuk means one who embraces, it is a wrestling term. Habakkuk worked in the Temple in Jerusalem. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Zephaniah. When Did Habakkuk Minister? Habakkuk prophesied during the final days of the Assyrian Empire and at the beginning of the rise of Babylon. Habakkuk had lived through the Reforms of king Josiah (2 Kings 22 & 23), who had abolished many of the idolatrous practices of his father, Amon, and grandfather, Manasseh (2 Kings 21:11-22). The Empire of Assyria had fallen, just as Nahum had prophesied. Egypt and Babylon were contending for dominance. In 605 B.C., the good king Josiah had been killed at the battle of Carchemish. The burden of Habakkuk was published during the early years of the reign of king Jehoiakim (609 – 598 B.C.). |
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