St. Paul Lutheran Church, Matteson, Illinois & Pastor Troester

God's Word spoken through the prophet Zephaniah to people who ignore God and worship other god's, but God is going to punish them and call them back.

Habakkuk, the "embracer", consoles and encourages us with the fear of the Lord, who is mighty to save and most powerful, and encourages us to wait upon the Lord in everything.

The faithful prophet watches and waits for God to answer their complaint, and reminds us to come as those who are right with God by faith, not by their works.  Listen to God's "woes" and repent.  Be still before God and be at peace.

God's prophet, Habakkuk, whose name meanings "embracer," hugs the people to comfort them with God oracle, or burden, which He put on Habakkuk's heart, to console them.

The last chaper of the last book of the Old Testament, and God promises that there will be a Day when time comes, and judgment will be made against those who do evil, and those who, by faith, do good.

God promises to send a Messenger, who is John the Baptizer, who will go before God's Servant, Jesus, who will save people from their sins.

God warns especially the worship leaders against leading the people away from God and promises to punish them.

God speaks through "my messenger" (Malachi) and gives him a "burden" (oracle) to speak warning those who are doing their own thing and not what God wants, reminding them how God loves them.

Read this last chapter of Nahum, about the power of God to reign over all our enemies.

God warns Assyria as He comforts His people that He will conquer their enemies and restore His people, if they will but turn from their ways and come back to God.