Psalm 21 - 25

The psalmist praises God for His power.  That power is able to deliver kings and nations from destruction, able to deliver one from death and suffering, able to provide One Who will end death and suffering by His own death, able to meet the diverse needs of His diverse people, and able to redeem a people to Himself.  His power results in the entire earth being His created possession, and yet He qualifies sinful men to enjoy its pleasures by making them holy.  His power and majesty are dependable and will not disappoint those who trust in its Source.  This powerful God is accessible, not hidden away behind the machinations of the universe.  He reveals Himself powerfully and carefully to those willing to seek after Him.

Psalm 17 - 20

David states that God is worthy to be praised.  God demonstrates His worthiness by protecting the righteous from those who seek to destroy, by hearing those that are in distress, by delivering His people by extraordinary means, and by treating all people as individuals - not just with a broad brush.
God is worthy to be praised because He lives!  Those who serve Him have placed themselves under the authority and influence of a living deity Who demonstrates His power by creating all that is as a testimony of His greatness.  The challenge is given to find a place in the universe where His glorious power is not on display.  His words are delightful, energizing, potent, and valuable.  We serve a precious Master.

Psalm 9 - 16

Psalm 9:9 - 10 states that the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed; those who seek Him are not forsaken.  In times of trouble, when He seems far off, He is never really distant - only waiting for those who trust in Him to declare their faith and see its results.  None can oppress or intimidate the righteous, for they have Omnipotence as their defense.  The fool denies God's presence, yet the righteous abide in His presence, enjoying the joy and pleasure found in His sanctuary.

Psalm 1 - 8

"The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish."  This principle is proven over and again in these opening psalms.  God watches over the ungodly and sees their opposition to His Son.  He listens to those who call on His name.  He hears the cries of those in trouble and delivers the righteous from their enemies.  His power is further seen in all He has created.

Malachi

Malachi delivers a message to the nation that they have offended God.  Over and again, the nation's response is "There is no possible way we have behaved in that fashion." God pointedly states the case against His people, bringing exact evidence of their treachery against Him.  However, He does still have a remnant which will comprise His treasure in the day He establishes His kingdom.  They will flourish while all others perish.

Zechariah 8 - 14

God tells Zechariah about His plans for the future city of Jerusalem, the gathering point for the nations.  The city would be one of refuge for God's people, and one of attraction for the rest of the global community.  God's people would prosper once again and the reputation of His majesty and blessing would draw many to praise Him.  The nations that would raise themselves up against Israel would be soundly defeated.  The Promised Messiah King would arrive and bring salvation to His people, restoring Israel and Judah to their rightful places.  Zechariah assumes the role of a shepherd to illustrate how God's people had rejected His plan and His true Shepherd.  Because of this rejection, God's people would not deliver His people immediately, but would delay until a future point in time.  But He would deliver when the people realized their error and repented for piercing the One Who could deliver them.  At that point, God would restore the blessing to the land and avenge His enemies, providing a place of safety and security for His people.

Zechariah 1 - 7

Zechariah the priest prophecies during the reign of Persian king Darius.  God was still inviting those who would to return to Him.  Their evil ways would only bring destruction, and God offered restoration and forgiveness.  Those who had refused His offer in the past had met with destruction; why would the present outcome be any different?  Zechariah is told to declare God's zealous desire for Jerusalem's restoration.  God will measure out the city and bring its inhabitants into agreement with His commands.  The high priest is pictured as having his robes exchanged from filthy to clean - signifying that God would wash away the iniquity of the land.  If the nation would listen, they would be blessed beyond degree.  Zechariah sees a vision of a menorah with unlimited supply of oil, picturing the ever-present presence of God's Spirit with His people.  Further visions explain how God will accomplish His purposes throughout the earth.  God asks Zechariah to remind the nation that their fasting is good, but it would be better to obey the commands, rather than mourn and fast after breaking them.

Zephaniah, Haggai

Zephaniah, a descendant of King Hezekiah, delivered a message from God during the reign of King Josiah.  God's message was one of coming judgment.  A day was coming in which everything would be consumed by His wrath and judgment.  God would search out those who feared Him and spare them from the destruction that would face all others.  He graciously calls people to repentance and safety, stating that no place will provide refuge.  His own people have behaved wickedly and will be punished.  However, the faithful remnant would be restored and protected from harm.  While other nations feel God's wrath, His people will only hear God's voice singing lovingly to them.


Haggai delivers a message to those who have returned from exile.  The people had decided that their houses were more important to build than rebuilding the temple.  God invited them to reconsider this decision so that their land would return to a state of fruitfulness.  God encouraged His people to not despair.  While the rebuilt temple was not as magnificent as the previous one, God's presence was still with His people.  The people, unclean through their sinful practices, were encouraged to return to the Lord's favor and seek His forgiveness.  Zerubbabel was specially chosen as God's designated representative.

Nahum, Habakkuk 1 - 3

Nahum brings a message to the city of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian empire.  They had repented under the preaching of Jonah; but had returned to their sinful ways.  God would not allow them to make a mockery of His merciful graciousness, and judgment would come to them.  Their nation would be completely destroyed and the nation of Israel would be completely restored.  While these events would not happen simultaneously, they would occur.  The destruction would occur because Nineveh had turned themselves against God; and none can ever stand in opposition to Him for too long.


Habakkuk, bringing his messages during the fall of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of the Babylonian Empire, asks the Lord how long His patience will endure.  Habakkuk had seen much injustice done to God's people and was eager to see those wrongs made right.  God's reply is simple:  within your lifetime events will occur that you would never have imagined, and it will point to God's great power.  God would raise up the Babylonians to punish the Assyrians.  Habakkuk wonders why God would use one ungodly nation to punish another; and is told that those who love and trust the Lord will live with faith that God will do all things rightly.  The wicked would not prosper and righteousness would prevail.  Habakkuk asks God to do all that He has determined to do, knowing that God will do what is right and that God can be trusted regardless of circumstances.

Obadiah; Jonah

Obadiah pronounces judgment on the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau (Jacob's brother).  Although the nation of Israel would survive, the nation of Edom would be removed from the earth.


Jonah stands as a reminder that God will provide forgiveness and restoration to all who respond rightly to Him.  The nation of Assyria, especially its capital Nineveh, was spared from immediate destruction due to their repentance of sin and return to God.  Jonah, God's messenger, was quite perturbed at this aspect of God's faithfulness.  Although Jonah was not faithful, God was - and that is the main point of discussion!

Amos 6 - 9

God was serious in His intent to punish the sins of those who had neglected His commands.  He had set the standards, and would bring all nations into conformity to the guidelines He established. Those who would respond to Him would be restored to a state of experiencing God's blessing.

Amos 1 - 5

Amos, a sheep rancher, brings messages of God's coming judgment to the nation of Israel and other nations in the world.  Because of the sins of the nations, God would break them and cause them to cease being influential in the global community.  Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel would all feel God's punishing force.  The perversions and atrocities committed by these people would not be forgotten or overlooked.  They had stretched God's patience to the limit and would now be punished.  God is still holy and would act in ways that declare His holiness.  Israel had not responded to correction in the past, so she would also be punished now.  Meanwhile, God was still offering forgiveness and calling His people to repent of their sin.  He begs for His people to once again seek Him before the Day of His Judgment arrives.

Joel

Joel describes the land as destroyed by locusts - a picture of the total destruction brought about by the enemies of Israel and Judah.  The nation is commanded to mourn for the destruction caused by their own sins and to ask God for forgiveness and restoration.  Joel then describes a coming judgment (called the Day of the LORD) in which total devastation is brought to bear on the enemies of God.  None will escape or endure it.  The only possible hope is repentance.  Those who turn back to the Lord will find that He will satisfy them and replenish their wasted supplies.  He will pour out blessing upon His people and signify His presence among them, while at the same time judging those who have mistreated His beloved people.  The battle will occur, and Joel begs his audience to be found on the correct side of the conflict.

Hosea 8 - 14

Israel had left the One who loved them, so they would be judged and punished for their errors.  Over and over God had demonstrated His great ability to provide for His people, yet they refused to follow His commands and obey His voice.  They preferred to follow after the other gods of the neighboring nations and found that no real satisfaction was ever found.  God removed their leadership, sent them into captivity and still they refused to see their error.  They would rather die thinking they were right than admit God was correct and live.  In spite of this, God continued to demonstrate His love toward His chosen people.  It certainly was not because they were loving or lovable; it was to show His greatness in love, patience and perseverance.  In His love, God would punish the sins of the people until they repented, then He would carefully, lovingly and fully restore them to their former place of prominence.

Hosea 1 - 7

The prophet Hosea is commanded to deliver not only a message with his words, but also a living example with his life.  He marries a woman of questionable character, fathers children named "God will scatter," "No mercy," and "Not my people" to demonstrate the actions God will take against His people.  God would not have mercy against His people who had acted unfaithfully towards Him, refusing the demonstrations of His love and faithfulness; but He would win back His beloved bride.  Hosea is commanded to buy back his wife from her harlotry as a picture of God's determination to do whatever was necessary to demonstrate His faithful patient love for His people.  There would be judgment for the committed sins but God would restore His bride to her position of honor if she would repent and turn from her adulterous actions.

Ezekiel 46 - 48

Prescriptions for worship are outlined by Ezekiel.  The worshipers are instructed as to how they shall proceed, what offerings to bring when, etc.  Instructions are even given for the preparation of the sacrifices.  A river is seen that brings healing water to the eastern region of the nation, allowing for a fishing industry and productive agricultural development.  The borders and division of the land is carefully described, insuring that all receive their fair and deserved portion.  The city itself will be called by its name "THE LORD IS THERE"

Ezekiel 44 - 45

The eastern gate of the city is commanded to be shut until the coming promised Prince appears to open it and claim His kingdom.  Admittance to the temple is greatly restricted.  The priests serving in the temple would be carefully attired; the land carefully divided; the city, the priests, and the inhabitants would all be carefully orchestrated so that order and obedience would be maintained within the new holy city.

Ezekiel 42 - 43

Ezekiel continues describing the dwelling place of God's glory in the coming kingdom that would be ruled by Messiah, the promised King.  It would be a place of perpetual worship, and Ezekiel is to consecrate the altar for use.

Ezekiel 39 - 41

A great battle will mark the end of the nations opposed to Israel.  God will deliver His people in glorious fashion and a feast will be given to commemorate the event.  Israel will then be restored fully to their land and a new temple will be erected in the newly established city of New Jerusalem.  Ezekiel is allowed to measure and record the dimensions and details of this structure.

Ezekiel 35 - 38

Because of Edom's desire to conquer Israel and take her possessions as their own, God would punish and destroy them.  Israel, however, would receive blessing and protection from her enemies.  This was due to God's choice to favor them, not for any action or benefit they could perform for God.  In fact, they had behaved terribly in response to God's demonstrations of love and mercy to them; yet, He continued to bless them as a testimony to His great power of favor, forgiveness and mercy.  The day would come when the cities of Israel would be rebuilt and the people returned to their homeland.  As proof of God's power, Ezekiel is commanded to preach to a group of dry bones that God reanimates and assembles into a great army.  The point is simple, God can accomplish His purposes through whatever means He chooses to demonstrate that He alone has ultimate power.  He would reunite the divided nation and restore them into one kingdom with one King over them, a descendant from the great king David in fulfillment of the promise made to him.  Enemies would rise up against this reunited kingdom and King, yet they would not succeed in conquering.

Ezekiel 32 - 34

A message is sent to the Pharaoh of Egypt that God would gather him up like a wild animal and allow others to have possession of his land.  This would be accomplished by the instrument of the Babylonian Empire.  Egypt would face the same end as Assyria, Elam, Meschech, Tubal, Edom, Sidon and others who fell for their opposition to God and His commands.
By contrast, Ezekiel was to act as an early warning system to the nation.  His duty was to sound the warning of God's coming judgment.  If he would remain faithful to that responsibility, the consequences would rest on the people for their response.  Were Ezekiel to fail to give the messages, he would bear responsibility for not warning the people.  God's judgment would be fairly meted out on those deserving it who were unrepentant.
The city of Jerusalem did fall during Ezekiel's captivity.  The people thought that their army, of impressive size, could effect a rescue of the city; but Ezekiel was given a message stating that they were not to trust in their might.  However, the people refused to listen and act appropriately to the message God had sent.  God compares these people to shepherds who feed themselves and not their own flocks, while He by contrast is a faithful and true Shepherd to His people.

Ezekiel 28 - 31

The nation-cities of Tyre and Sidon are given prophecies concerning the punishment that God would bring to them.  Perhaps more chilling than the descriptions of the judgment to come is the statement directly from God "I am against you."  We often say "If God is for us, who can be against us?" but what of this corollary "If God is against us, what use is having everyone for us?"  A sobering thought indeed.  The nation of Egypt is spoken against, and the statement continues that Babylon will plunder the desert nation causing Egypt and her allies to be defeated.

Ezekiel 24 - 27

God uses an illustration of a boiling pot to show how His wrath is going to last for a long period of time.   Ezekiel's wife dies as a symbol of God's coming punishment on the nation.  Messages of destruction are given to the neighboring countries surrounding Israel.  God would not spare them from the punishment they had earned with their actions.

Ezekiel 21 - 23

Babylon would be used as God's instrument of punishing the nation of Israel.  Because of Israel's sins, she would be placed in the furnace of God's wrath to burn away the offending materials.  Both Israel and Judah had sinned, and both would be punished.

Ezekiel 18 - 20

God defends His actions against the nation of Israel.  Many were claiming that His punishment was too late; that he should have punished the original transgressors and not their children.  God's position is clear:  the sons have committed just as many sins as their fathers.  In His mercy, He has allowed them the opportunity to change their ways, but they have not.  They are as much to blame as those who first sinned.  In fact, when they came to seek the Lord's wisdom, He would not readily give an answer.  They were more in love with what He provided than they were in Him!  They had made God into a talisman, a charm to be used at their disposal and discretion instead of placing themselves in His control.  In spite of their treatment of Him, He would restore those who returned to Him.  What a merciful God!

Ezekiel 16 - 17

God describes His relationship with Jerusalem and Israel in poetic terms.  He uses the symbols of birth, marriage, love and adultery to picture the pains He went through over His beloved people.  While He showed them steadfast, undeserved, patient love they responded with lechery and adulterous actions.  Because of their actions, God lovingly disciplined His people, hoping to restore them to Himself.  He promises that He will lovingly restore those who return to Him from their wicked ways.

Ezekiel 13 - 15

Ezekiel brings a message to those who claimed God was speaking through them, even though they were only speaking their own thoughts.  These false prophets had spoken, hoping that God would verify their message.  God's message was clear:  He was against those who misrepresented Him, and they would suffer great defeat as a sign that He had not sent them. He would not be treated as some kind of cosmic good luck charm.  The idolatry of the people would be punished, as would their persistent unfaithfulness to the true and living God.  God's message through Ezekiel was that the nation would be tested, like a vine in the fire, to burn away the evil they had done.

Ezekiel 11 - 12

Ezekiel is shown the men responsible for the idolatry and wickedness in the city and told to speak out against them.  God's message is one of warning, punishment and the need for repentance.  While delivering this message, one of the men responsible died.  Ezekiel is overcome with grief and wonders if God will destroy the remnant He has protected.  But God promises that there is sanctuary to be found in his presence and in obedience to Him.  Ezekiel is then instructed to act out the captivity process; this would be another object lesson to the nation of what would happen to the leaders of the nation.  God's judgment was coming and would not be delayed further.

Ezekiel 8 - 10

Ezekiel sees in a vision the horrendous idolatry of Israel, the total perversion and corruption of the temple worship and those who led the people in worship.  Their attitude was "God is pleased with what we do in the temple; it doesn't matter what we do with the rest of our life."  Within the shadow of the temple people were worshiping the fertility gods as well as the sun.  Because of this, God promises to punish them unmercifully.  Those who mourned over the deplorable state of the nation's worship would be spared.  Because of the great wickedness, the glory of God's presence departed from the temple.