Devoted to Scripture

https://netbible.org/bible/Micah+5-7/

This is day 264 of our journey.

In Micah 5, Micah prophesies of the coming King who will come out of Bethlehem and will rule over Israel.  Micah 6 speaks against the rituals that Israel performs.  This is not what God is calling for; he wants justice, faithfulness, and obedience instead of empty ceremonies.  Micah 7 reiterates that Israel must endure punishment for their sin, but promises that, once God's anger has been endured, he will defend the cause of Israel once more and lead them into the light of his deliverance.

Join me in Micah 5-7 live justly and experience the deliverance of the Lord!

Key verses:

Micah 5:2

 As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.  

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.  

Micah 7:9

I must endure the Lord’s fury, for I have sinned against him. But then he will defend my cause, and accomplish justice on my behalf.He will lead me out into the light; I will witness his deliverance.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Micah+1-4/

This is day 263 of our journey.

Micah's prophecy concerns Jerusalem and Samaria.  The one true Judge is coming and will make his case against all nations.  The people of Israel falsely believe that they are exempt from this judgement because they are God's chosen people.  Their sins have not gone unnoticed and they must pay the price for their disobedience.  They pay false teachers to speak soothing words of comfort and to pronounce blessings, but the lies will not last.  Jerusalem will be destroyed because of the wickedness of their leaders.

In the midst of this condemnation, however, is the promise that there will come a day when Jerusalem will be restored again.  The nations will flock to her for the guidance of the Lord.  The land will be at peace and weapons of war will no longer be necessary.  God will set up Jerusalem to be a haven for all men.

Join me in Micah 1-4 to see God's judgement prepare for deliverance!

Key verses:

Micah 1:2

Listen,  all you nations! Pay attention, all inhabitants of earth! The Sovereign Lord will act  as a witness against you; the Lord will accuse you from his majestic palace.  

Micah 2:10

But you are the ones who will be forced to leave! For this land is not secure! Sin will thoroughly destroy it!

Micah 3:12

Therefore,  because of you, Zion will be plowed up like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the Temple Mount will become a hill overgrown with brush!  

Micah 4:2

Many nations will come, saying,“Come on! Let’s go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the temple of Jacob’s God, so he can teach us his ways and we can live by his laws.” For instruction will proceed from Zion, the Lord’s message from Jerusalem.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Micah/

https://netbible.org/bible/Jonah+1-4/

This is day 262 of our journey.

Jonah is a short story about a most reluctant prophet who is called to prophecy against the city of Ninevah.  Ninevah is the capital city of Assyria, the enemy of Israel.  Instead of traveling northeast to Ninevah, Jonah finds a ship sailing as far west as possible to flee from the call of God.  God causes a great storm to come and Jonah is thrown overboard only to be swallowed by a great fish. After three  days in the belly of the fish, God rescues him from the fish and Jonah finally fulfills the commission God placed on him.  God gives his ministry great success and the people of Ninevah repent!  The destruction is averted, but Jonah cries out to God in despair. How could he possibly rescue this wicked people?  God states his case for rescuing them, but the book ends with Jonah still wallowing in his own self-pity.

Join me in Jonah 1-4 for God's compassion to ALL men!

Key verses:

Jonah 1:3

Instead, Jonah immediately headed off to Tarshish to escape from the commission of the Lord. He traveled to Joppa and found a merchant ship heading to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard it to go with them to Tarshish far away from the Lord.  

Jonah 2:9

But as for me, I promise to offer a sacrifice to you with a public declaration of praise; I will surely do what I have promised. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”  

Jonah 3:10

When God saw their actions – that they turned from their evil way of living! – God relented concerning the judgment he had threatened them with and he did not destroy them.  

Jonah 4:11

Should I not be even more concerned about Nineveh, this enormous city? There are more than one hundred twenty thousand people in it who do not know right from wrong, as well as many animals!”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Jonah/

https://netbible.org/bible/Amos+6-9+Obadiah/

This is day 261 of our journey.

Today, we will finish the book of Amos and read through the entirety of the next book, Obadiah.

Amos continues to prophesy against the people of Israel.  In chapter 6 he speaks specifically against the rich in Israel who have become elitists and believe that they are a caste of special people pulled from an already favored nation. Amos clearly explains that the Lord will bring down those who have exalted themselves.  Chapter 7 tells of a priest who was speaking against Amos (and the Lord's message) that would be brought to ruin for his sinfulness.  Amos 8, prophesies of a coming day when messages from the Lord will cease to come and, when people will look for a word from God, they will not find it.  Amos closes with a message of hope, the Davidic dynasty will be reestablished and strengthened.  They will lead Israel back from captivity and rebuild their cities.

Obadiah is a prophesy against the nation of Edom.  Edom is a relative of Israel, yet they have oppressed their brother.  They think they are safe in their mountain home, but the Lord will bring them down to destruction.  They have conquered Israel, but now Israel will conquer them.  The nation of Israel will reestablish Mount Zion and rule over Esau.  The Lord will be King!

Join me in Amos 6-9 & Obadiah and know that the Lord will reign!

Key verses:

Amos 6:1

Woe to those who live in ease in Zion, to those who feel secure on Mount Samaria. They think of themselves as the elite class of the best nation.The family of Israel looks to them for leadership.

Amos 7:9

Isaac’s centers of worship will become desolate; Israel’s holy places will be in ruins. I will attack Jeroboam’s dynasty with the sword.”  

Amos 8:11

Be certain of this, the time is coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a shortage of food or water but an end to divine revelation!

Amos 9:4

Even when their enemies drive them into captivity, from there I will command the sword to kill them.I will not let them out of my sight; they will experience disaster, not prosperity.”  

Obadiah 1:21

Those who have been delivered will go up on Mount Zion in order to rule over Esau’s mountain. Then the Lord will reign as King!

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Obadiah

https://netbible.org/bible/Amos+1-5/

This is day 260 of our journey.

Amos was a herdsman from Judah, but God called him as a prophet to Israel.  In chapter 1, Amos prophesies against the surrounding nations and tells of their coming destruction.  But, starting in chapter 2, he turns his attention to the punishment that will come upon the nation of Israel.  Israel seems to think that they are secure and that they have God on their side, but they have broken their covenant and turned away from him.  God warns that because he has chosen them to be his special people, they must be punished for their sins.  If they don't return to him, the day of destruction that is coming will be for them as well as their neighbors.

Join me in Amos 1-5 to hear God's words against the people of Israel.

Key verses:

Amos 1:2

Amos said:“The Lord comes roaring out of Zion; from Jerusalem he comes bellowing! The shepherds’ pastures wilt; the summit of Carmel withers.”  

Amos 2:6

This is what the Lord says: “Because Israel has committed three covenant transgressions – make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They sold the innocent for silver, the needy for a pair of sandals.  

Amos 3:2

“I have chosen you alone from all the clans of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”  

Amos 4:13

For here he is! He formed the mountains and created the wind. He reveals his plans to men. He turns the dawn into darkness and marches on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, is his name!”  

Amos 5:14

Seek good and not evil so you can live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, just might be with you, as you claim he is.

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Amos/

https://netbible.org/bible/Joel+1-3/

This is day 259 of our journey.

The book of Joel paints a picture of the long-awaited Day of the Lord.  This day is compared to a swarm of locusts that devastate the land.  At the same time, Joel speaks to a future hope where true repentance brings about restoration.  This restoration will include not just a Messiah to save, but the Holy Spirit to infuse our lives and grant visions and dreams to all people.  Joel doesn't call out Israel for any sins, instead he speaks of the coming destruction and the need for true repentance.

Join me in Joel 1-3 and let true repentance bring deliverance!

Key verses:

Joel 1:6

For a nation has invaded my land, mighty and without number. Their teeth are lion’s teeth; they have the fangs of a lioness.  

Joel 2:31

The sunlight will be turned to darkness and the moon to the color of blood, before the day of the Lord comes – that great and terrible day!  

Joel 3:17

You will be convinced that I the Lord am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy – conquering armies will no longer pass through it.

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Joel/

https://netbible.org/bible/Hosea+8-14/

This is day 258 of our journey.

The final chapters of Hosea are full of oracles against Judah and Israel.  They have been unfaithful and God must send punishment upon them.  But, these oracles alternate with oracles of hope.  God loves his people.  He is torn.  He wants to show them love and compassion and mercy, but he needs to punish injustice and sin.  He needs to remove them from their land, but he desires to change their hearts to seek him again. He will bring about justice, but in the end, he will show compassion to his people.

Join me in Hosea 8-14 for the compassion and justice of the Lord.

Key verses:

Hosea 8:8

Israel will be swallowed up among the nations; they will be like a worthless piece of pottery.  

Hosea 9:8

The prophet is a watchman over Ephraim on behalf of God, yet traps are laid for him along all of his paths; animosity rages against him in the land of his God.  

Hosea 10:12

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap unfailing love.Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves, for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers deliverance on you.

Hosea 11:8

How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim?I have had a change of heart! All my tender compassions are aroused!  

Hosea 12:6

But you must return to your God, by maintaining love and justice, and by waiting for your God to return to you.  

Hosea 13:10

Where then is your king, that he may save you in all your cities? Where are your rulers for whom you asked, saying,“Give me a king and princes”?  

Hosea 14:9

Who is wise? Let him discern these things! Who is discerning? Let him understand them! For the ways of the Lord are right; the godly walk in them, but in them the rebellious stumble.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Hosea+1-7/

This is day 257 of our journey.

The prophet Hosea is given a hard mission by God.  He is called to speak against the spiritual prostitution of the people of Israel and Judah.  But, in order to do this, God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer.  God warns him, that Gomer will continue to be unfaithful and will even bear children through her prostitution.  Regardless of this, Hosea continues to show love to Gomer, buying her back out of prostitution.  In the same way, Israel has been unfaithful to God and defiled themselves in countless ways.  God wants to show love to his people and to deliver them, but they have been unfaithful and have lied.  Destruction will come to descipline them and bring them back to him so that, one day, they will love God and serve him fully!

Join me in Hosea 1-7 and let this powerful story of love overwhelm you!

Key verses:

Hosea 1:2

When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, he said to him, “Go marry a prostitute who will bear illegitimate children conceived through prostitution, because the nation continually commits spiritual prostitution by turning away from the Lord.”

Hosea 2:16

 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “you will call, ‘My husband’; you will never again call me, ‘My master.’  

Hosea 3:5

 Afterward, the Israelites will turn and seek the Lord their God and their Davidic king. Then they will submit to the Lord in fear and receive his blessings in the future.  

Hosea 4:17

Ephraim has attached himself to idols; Do not go near him!

Hosea 5:5

The arrogance of Israel testifies against it; Israel and Ephraim will be overthrown because of their iniquity. Even Judah will be brought down with them.

Hosea 6:6

For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings.  

Hosea 7:13

Woe to them! For they have fled from me! Destruction to them! For they have rebelled against me! I want to deliver them, but they have lied to me.

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Hosea/

https://netbible.org/bible/Daniel+10-12/

This is day 256 of our journey.

Daniel's book ends with a prophecy of a great battle between the king of the north and the king of the south.  The coming war will be extensive and will leave great destruction in it's wake.  The kings will battle against each other and against the people of God.  In the end, Michael will come and deliver God's people from the destruction.

Join me in Daniel 10-12 for a foretelling of the final battle at the end of the world.

Key verses:

Daniel 10:19

He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength.”  

Daniel 11:33

These who are wise among the people will teach the masses. However, they will fall by the sword and by the flame, and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time.  

Daniel 12:3

But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Daniel+7-9/

This is day 255 of our journey.

The second half of Daniel is full of visions given to Daniel regarding future events.  Daniel 7 recounts a vision of four beasts, these beasts represent four kings that will rise up and rule the earth, but in the end, a "son of man" will arise and receive all authority and will rule with holiness.  Daniel 8 gives a vision of a goat and a ram, this vision tells of the coming Medes & Persians, followed by the Greeks and the division of the Greek empire.  Again, the arrogant rulers will eventually be removed from power.  In chapter 9, Daniel recognizes that the exile is nearing the 70 years foretold by Jeremiah and prays to the Lord for deliverance and forgiveness for the people.  In response, the angel Gabriel appears to him to bring a vision of the coming times, a period of 70 weeks from the rebuilding of Jerusalem until the coming of an anointed prince.

Join me in Daniel 7-9 and recognize God's power over future events.

Key verses:

Daniel 7:14

To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty. All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving him. His authority is eternal and will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed.  

Daniel 8:15

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision, I sought to understand it. Now one who appeared to be a man was standing before me.

Daniel 9:19

O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, pay attention, and act! Don’t delay, for your own sake, O my God! For your city and your people are called by your name.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.