I’m reading through the Bible chapter by chapter, I’ve reached the Minor Prophets. I’ve just finished reading the book of Micah. I rarely read or hear sermons preached on them . The Minor Prophets are mostly short books; I’ve been amazed at the promises and guidance for life the Lord gives us in them , here are some familiar verses from Micah Chapter 7 :
Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom.
For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me. v 5 – 8
Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. v 18
I’m thankful for God’s Word which is “living” and relevant, I think I shall revisit these books soon.
I’ve been studying in the book of Hebrews for several months and haven’t read much in the OT, except the cross references that go along with the Hebrews study.
I think I’ll read one of the minor prophets today. Malachi seems like a good choice since it’s the bridge between the old and new testaments–kind of like Hebrews!
: D
Hi again!
I want to tell you that God used the reading of your blog and then the subsequent reading of Malachi to enrich and enlarge my study in Hebrews this week. We were in Hebrews 3:7-12 and the rehearsal of the complaints of the Israelites and their response to God’s provision and His entreaties in Malachi threw unexpected light on the passage in Hebrews!
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation,
And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath,
‘ They shall not enter My rest.’”
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Both the scripture above as well as your post mentions “the living God.” This came home to me in a very personal way as I consider His nearness to me as He guided my reading and study this week.
It’s amazing how scripture helps us understand scripture.