Thirty Seconds or Less

In the post-exile world, Zechariah’s prophecies address the frustration of the people. While the Israelites have been allowed to return home, the temple lies in ruins. Rebuilding efforts have stalled and conflict has broken out, leaving the people wondering if they should keep going. Some of the people have even abandoned God, leaving Zechariah to...

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A destroyed temple meant a destroyed means of communication with God. Yet God still sees these people and promises to bless them. God says to the faithful remnant: Rebuild. I see you. I am with you. I will deliver you. This Lent and always, may we also know that God sees us, hears us, and...

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The name Haggai means “pilgrimage”, and the book which bears this name was written in the 6th century BCE. Its brief two chapters encourage the faithful remnant of Jews who’ve returned from exile. God instructs them to rebuild the temple, despite drought and other hardship. And God promises to overthrow their oppressors and bless them...

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Zephaniah says the Lord God is with you and he is mighty to save. He takes great delight in you and rejoices over you with singing and he will quiet you and remind you of his love. How stunning and profound is that: the Lord God is with us and for us. And he is...

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A prophet who’s name means “the Lord has hidden” stands up to the mic and declares to the people that the day of the Lord is near. Twenty three times in fifty eight verses he says that phrase: “The day of the Lord.” He says that the Lord is going to take a lamp and...

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The word joy is used too many times in the Bible for me to count. We are to sing with joy, shout with joy, and dance with joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. In Jesus our joy is made complete. We are told the joy of the Lord is our strength. As a...

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This book just starts in a terrible place. It’s like God forgot about Noah’s rainbow, it’s that epic. The prophet proclaims death, doom, destruction, and disaster. But isn’t it just like God to give us a twist? Just when all seems to be lost, suddenly there is a song of joy. Zephaniah moves us from...

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There is good news in Habakkuk. It is to be found in God’s presence, God’s attentiveness. It is also to be found in the ministry and witness of Habakkuk, God’s servant who watches the world and cares for those who are hurting and summons God to account for their pain. When was a time you...

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“How long, holy one?” The opening line of Habakkuk is its theme. The Prophet cries out to God to explain the violence in the world. And God answers, enters into conversation with the prophet and reveals divine plans. God hears. God cares. God is present. How would you explain the violence in the world? What...

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It’s easy to suggest that the God presented to us in Nahum has an epic case of good cop/bad cop. But it’s not as simple as that. Nahum tells us that yes, even the Assyrians, one of the super powers of the ancient world, are subject to God’s power and plan for humanity. As for...

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