The Day Is Coming 1-2 Note well:God’s Judgment Day is on the way: “Plunder will be piled high and handed out. I’m bringing all the godless nations to war against Jerusalem— Houses plundered, women raped, Half the city taken into exile, the other half left behind.” 3-5 But thenGodwill march out against the godless nations […]
Monthly Archives: July 2017
Haggai 1
Caught Up with Taking Care of Your Own Houses 1 On the first day of the sixth month of the second year in the reign of King Darius of Persia,God’s Message was delivered by the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak: […]
Haggai 2
This Temple Will End Up Better Than It Started Out 1-3 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Word ofGodcame through the prophet Haggai: “Tell Governor Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and High Priest Joshua son of Jehozadak and all the people: ‘Is there anyone here who saw the Temple the way it used […]
Zephaniah 1
No Longer Giving God a Thought or a Prayer 1 God’s Message to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. It came during the reign of Josiah son of Amon, who was king of Judah: 2 “I’m going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning.”God’s […]
Zephaniah 2
Seek God 1-2 So get yourselves together. Shape up! You’re a nation without a clue about what it wants. Do it before you’re blown away like leaves in a windstorm, BeforeGod’s Judgment-anger sweeps down on you, BeforeGod’s Judgment Day wrath descends with full force. 3 SeekGod, all you quietly disciplined people who live byGod’s justice. […]
Zephaniah 3
Sewer City 1-5 Doom to the rebellious city, the home of oppressors—Sewer City! The city that wouldn’t take advice, wouldn’t accept correction, Wouldn’t trustGod, wouldn’t even get close to her own god! Her very own leaders are rapacious lions, Her judges are rapacious timber wolves out every morning prowling for a fresh kill. Her prophets […]
Habakkuk 1
Justice Is a Joke 1-4 The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare […]
Habakkuk 2
1 What’s God going to say to my questions? I’m braced for the worst. I’ll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I’ll wait to see what God says, how he’ll answer my complaint. Full of Self, but Soul-Empty 2-3 And thenGodanswered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big […]
Habakkuk 3
God Racing on the Crest of the Waves 1-2 A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk, with orchestra: God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you […]
Nahum 1
God Is Serious Business 1 A report on the problem of Nineveh, the way God gave Nahum of Elkosh to see it: 2-6 Godis serious business. He won’t be trifled with. He avenges his foes. He stands up against his enemies, fierce and raging. ButGoddoesn’t lose his temper. He’s powerful, but it’s a patient power. […]