Foundations

In Micah's third sermon he preached; "God desires that His people live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him." After addressing the moral failure of government and spiritual bankruptcy in Israel and Judah, Micah preached a message of hope through a Messianic prophecy. Where human government had failed in Jerusalem and Samaria, Christ's ultimate authority would not fail, and He would bring true peace to His people. He would be the perfect example of a Prophet, Priest, and King.

The Book of Micah records three great sermons. This prophet was born a farmer, yet he was called to preach God's words to the political and spiritual leaders of the capital cities of both Israel and Judah. Micah placed the blame for the moral and spiritual corruption of the people of God on the leaders. Micah preached the only way they could be rescued from their failures was for God to send a perfect Ruler: the Messiah.

In chapter 1 Jonah did not come to God. In chapter 2, from the belly of the fish, Jonah comes to God, saying "I will". In chapter 3 Jonah goes to Nineveh for God. The primary theme of the book of Jonah is God's love for all people, even people as hated as the Assyrians in Nineveh were. Though Jonah was very prejudiced and was angry that God would forgive the Ninevites, God patiently showed Jonah His great love for that city.

Nineveh was the capital city of Israel's worst enemies in the days of Jonah. So when God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach a message of coming judgment if they didn't repent, the prophet ran and tried to hide from God. But God made Jonah repent of his willfulness when he was swallowed by a great fish. After three days in the belly of that fish, Jonah prayed and repented, and vowed that he would obey God.

In the shortest book in the Old Testament, we can learn big lessons. God spoke through Obadiah to condemn the nation of Edom because its people had rejoiced and gloated when Judah fell. The story of the enmity between Israel and Edom goes back to the twin brothers, Jacob and Esau. These brothers represent the difference between those who are spiritual, who seek God and obey His ways, and those only interested in the material world and their selfish desires.

Amos was a common man, a fig picker and a shepherd, yet God chose to use him as one of His prophets. Amos prophesied to the Northern Kingdom about the coming Assyrian captivity. He ministered during a prosperous time in the Southern Kingdom. In fact, God says that those who are spiritually advantaged will be judged by a higher standard. According to Amos, the hearts of Israel's people will one day turn back to their God.

Joel's message of "The Day of the Lord" mixes prophecies about current-day events, coming historical events, and ultimate end-time events. The Day of the Lord, as Joel uses the expression, can refer to a variety of events in which God works: chastisement, judgment, deliverance, blessing, and more. Joel exhorts us that each day - past, present, and future - should be considered the day of the Lord and challenges us to see the hand of God in everything that happens to us.

Hosea was the prophet of the love of God to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel during the divided kingdom. The people of Israel had turned away from God and worshiped idols --spiritual adultery. Hosea married a prostitute and loved her unconditionally as a living illustration of God's love. Because of Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, these ten tribes would never be heard of again, yet Hosea prophesied their spiritual return to God one day.

Daniel had visions that are highly symbolic and sometimes difficult to understand. He had a dream about four kingdoms that would rule, similar to the dream he interpreted for King Nebuchadnezzar, and a vision of 70 weeks that indicated it was time for the people of Judah to return to Jerusalem. In his prophesy of the 70 weeks, he gives a precise prediction of the coming of the Messiah and the beginning of His Kingdom which shall be without end.

At the time of Daniel, Babylon was the capitol city of the most powerful empire that had existed. Its king, Nebuchadnezzar, was a powerful and prideful ruler. One of the most remarkable miracles is the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. Rather than the Jews being transformed into Babylonians, the Babylonians became believers in the God of Daniel, the One True God. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that God is the rightful ruler of all the kingdoms of this world.