Books of Prophets
Who is a Prophet?
Biblical prophets are persons who convey a message from God. In addition, sometimes God gave them a prophecy of the future.
Prophet is a spokesman for God
There are 16 MAJOR Old Testament prophets, whose prophecies form part of the inspired canon of Scripture.
These are divided into 4 groups:
- Prophets of the northern Kingdom of Israel
- Hosea
- Amos
- Joel
- Jonah
- Prophets of the Kingdom of Judah
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Obadiah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Prophets of the Captivity period
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Prophets of the Restoration period
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
The greatest prophet, above all others, is Jesus Christ—who is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:1-3) and speaks for God because He is God.
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The book of Jeremiah teaches us the importance of "Calling onto the Lord"
When Jeremiah was in prison and the enemy's army surrounded him, Lord spoke to him and said "Call to me"
Lord said "Call to me and I will answer you" 33:3
Two things we ought to reflect:
1. Almighty God was inviting him to a conversation to reveal secrets in a time and place like that?
2. God "called" Jeremiah and asked him to "call on to Him"?
One: On days when we feel under pressure or locked up by anxiety and worry, Lord invites us to simply call onto Him.
He will come to us where we are. Offering to enter into a conversation with us and reveal the truths about our lives, our circumstances and Himself.
No matter how confined or restricted our situation might make us feel, we are united to a God who knows no boundaries, no restrictions and no limitations.
Remember: He loves us dearly and desires our best.
Two: God came to Jeremiah and asked him to call onto him? Why would God not reveal the secrets right there?
It's like calling someone on the phone and asking them to return their phone call to continue the conversation.
This is a trend you'll notice in the entire Bible where God always needs you to take the first step to see any miracle.
Let's take the first step today
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The book of Lamentations teaches us The role of lament in our Prayer.
The book of Lamentations presents us with an opportunity to consider the role of lament in our spiritual life.
Many of us think of Prayer as either giving praise to God or presenting God with our list of requests
While the Lord wants us to do these things, He also wants us to come to Him with our honest expression of anguish, distress, and pain.
When we come to God in the mode of Lament, we are telling the truth about hard times that come our way
including the deepest feelings of anger, bitterness, and sadness
We bring these things to God, not simply because we are venting, but because He is our loving and faithful Father
A Father who wants us to rest in His arms assured of His great love and Care
If you add lament to our pattern of prayer, you'll find your relationship with God growing deeper than you expect.
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The book of Ezekiel reminds of the sin of Pride
Ezekiel 28:11-19 says concerning King of Tyre: "your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour"
Apostle Paul too warned us of becoming puffed up with pride and falling into same condemnation as the Devil. (Tim 3:6)
Sinful pride is taking our eyes off God and all He has done for us.
We are preoccupying ourselves instead with our appearances, possessions, attributes, or accomplishments
Price can enter our mind in a flash - even in the midst of worship, like a burglar through the unlatched window.
Apostle Peter warns us that "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"
(1 Pet 5:5)
If you long for God's favour, be vigilant against this sin of Pride which is older than the earth itself.
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The book of Hosea teaches us about "Spiritual adultery"
This seems like a strong word for simply replacing God in our affections.
But that is exactly what it is!
Israel's spiritual adultery began with a drift of affection towards other gods.
When we allow other interests, preoccupations, and pursuits to take over us, we replace Christ from our focus and affection
And we drift from our love and allegiances to one true God
Jesus told us "Take heed, watch and pray" (Mark 13:33)
When we do not "hold fast" we lose our grip on the very purpose of our lives.
"Remember... Repent" (Rev 2:5)
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The book of Joel teaches about God's Restoration
In Joel 2:25, the Lord says "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten"
Only a sovereign, eternal God can speak of "restoring" lost days, months and years
NO ! We can never go back and reclaim the "squandered time choices" we made
God can take The time we do have | The life we still hold | The opportunities that still exist | and The Relationships that still lasted
And multiply their impact beyond what we could ever conceive
Example: the Thief on the cross next to Jesus
In the tattered end moments of his life, he not only attained eternal life
But he also became a beacon of hope to millions over the world even to this date
When we finally put our lives in God's hands, He can multiply our impact a thousandfold.
He can not only restore, but He can also make all things new!
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The book of Amos teaches us the ineffectiveness of our Rituals
God cares nothing for the exercises of empty religious rituals. In fact, He hates it.
God also denounces moral and ethical practices that violate HIS standards and invalidate worship
As God knows the secret of every heart. He knows how we treat our neighbours, friends, family and coworkers.
He knows when we are genuinely seeking Him and when we just observe traditions trying to look pious to others.
A simple fact to remember is God does not desire our traditions even our PRAYERS and BIBLE readings. UNLESS.... these things come from an obedient truly loving heart
If our external actions towards God do not flow from an authentic desire to love others, we are only putting on a religious show.
God wants none of it. (Read Amos 5:21-24)
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