Bart Byl on Malachi 3:1-4, 4:1-6.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

In the closing book of the Old Testament, God promises to send His Messenger before him, whose arrival will mean God Himself has come to His temple. And so this book closes with breath held, leaning forward, waiting for the Saviour whose name has been whispered in every book of the Old Testament.

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Bart Byl on Zechariah 9:9-17.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

Amid the strange visions and oracles against the nation in the book of Zechariah are a collection of prophecies about an unusual figure. A future king is coming who will come in triumph, yet lowly and riding on a donkey. Valued at the paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver, the shepherd will be rejected and pierced. Yet somehow his death will open a fountain of cleansing for God's people.

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Bart Byl on Haggai 2:1-9.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

The remnant who have returned to the land have grown discouraged and abandoned the rebuilding of the temple. God sends Haggai to stir them up to the work, because nothing is more important to God than dwelling in the midst of his people.

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Bart Byl on Zephaniah 3.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

Zephaniah was called to speak God's word in a time of spiritual crisis and opportunity. Through his prophet God warns of creation itself being reversed in judgment, but holds the door of mercy open until the last repentant sinner squeezes through. For the Lord longs to bring all his lost children home, so he can sing over them in delight.

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Bart Byl on Habakkuk 3.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

Habakkuk is a conversation between the prophet and God, in which Habakkuk wrestles with the judgements of God in history. In the end, what gives us the ability to wait for him to act is the whole-hearted allegiance to God which we call faith: the enduring fidelity which Christ himself demonstrated for us in going to the cross

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Bart Byl on Nahum 1.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

Welcome to the least-preached book of the Bible. Nahum's message of God's wrath against Nineveh makes for uncomfortable reading. But for those suffering under oppression, God's destruction of evil is good news indeed. Make no mistake: Christ came to bind the strong man and plunder his house.

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Bart Byl on Micah 4:1-8, 5:2-4.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

Micah is a prophecy, alternatively, of warning and promise. Stern judgment on the sin of Israel and Judah is suddenly following by the most stunning visions of future peace and glory. Because God is determined that his grace through the coming Messiah will get the last word.

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Bart Byl on ⁠Jonah 3-4⁠.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

The Assyrians were the cruel and bloodthirsty empire of the ancient world. Yet God sends the prophet Jonah on a mission to Nineveh, the capital of this terrorist state. Jonah is angry when God responds mercifully to their repentance. But there's a wideness in God's mercy, and he shows inexplicable compassion to his whole creation — ourselves included.

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Bart Byl on ⁠Obadiah 1-21⁠.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, the Edomites had gloated over Israel's downfall. Now God warns their own judgement is coming—and reminds the exiled Jews he has seen and will respond to their affliction. "Vengeance is mine," God declares, and it's our trust in him as the only one who can bring justice that allows us to drop the sword from our own hands.

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Bart Byl on Amos 5:4-24.

Series: Christ in the Old Testament

Through Amos, God denounces the social injustice that supports the decadent lifestyles of the upper class in the the northern kingdom of Israel. God wants his people to hate evil and love good, because they're meant to be a scale model of what his reign looks like. It's the kingdom of righteousness and justice Christ came to inaugurate on earth.

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