WEEK 4 Minor Prophets Pt 1 (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah)

This Comment is for Hosea, Joel and Amos

Pam is the TA that is reviewing these posts.

The‌‌ ‌‌prophet‌‌ ‌‌Hosea‌‌ ‌‌was‌‌ ‌‌commanded‌‌ ‌‌by‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌marry‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌harlot‌.‌  ‌He‌ ‌chose‌  ‌‌Gomer.‌‌ ‌‌This‌‌ ‌‌marriage‌‌ ‌‌is‌‌ ‌‌symbolic‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌Israel’s‌‌ abandonment‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌woman‌‌ ‌‌unfaithful‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌her‌‌ ‌‌husband.‌‌ ‌‌Hosea‌‌ ‌‌was‌‌ ‌sent‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌prophesy‌‌ ‌‌repentance‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌northern‌‌ ‌‌kingdom‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌Israel.‌‌  ‌‌He‌‌ ‌‌ministered‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌them‌‌ ‌‌for‌‌ ‌‌50‌‌ ‌‌years.‌‌  ‌‌They‌‌ ‌‌enjoyed‌‌ ‌‌tremendous‌‌ ‌‌prosperity‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌reign‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌Jeroboam‌‌ ‌‌II,‌‌ ‌‌yet‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌he‌‌ ‌‌died‌‌ ‌‌various‌‌ ‌‌kings‌‌ ‌‌came‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌throne‌‌ ‌‌for‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌brief‌‌ ‌‌period‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌time‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌many‌‌ ‌‌were‌‌ ‌‌assassinated.‌‌   ‌‌The‌‌ ‌‌people‌‌ ‌‌were‌‌ ‌‌making‌‌ ‌‌sacrifices‌‌ ‌‌on‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌altar,‌‌ ‌‌idol‌‌ ‌‌worshiping,‌‌ ‌‌commiting‌‌ ‌‌adultery,‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌prostitution‌‌ ‌‌abounded.‌‌  ‌‌Hosea‌‌ ‌‌believed‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌wickedness‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌people‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌Israel‌‌ ‌‌was‌‌ ‌‌because‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌lack‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌knowledge‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌relationship‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌living‌‌ ‌‌God.‌‌  ‌‌In‌‌ ‌‌spite‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌their‌‌ ‌‌wicked‌‌ ‌ways,‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌  ‌‌loved‌‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌people‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌an‌‌ ‌‌everlasting‌‌ ‌‌love.‌‌  ‌‌These‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌names‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌Hosea‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌Gomer’s‌‌ ‌‌children:‌‌  ‌‌Jezreel‌‌ ‌‌which‌‌ ‌‌means‌‌ ‌‌“God‌‌ ‌‌scatters”,‌‌ ‌‌Lo-Ruhamah‌‌ ‌‌which‌‌ ‌‌means‌‌ ‌‌“Not‌‌ ‌obtained‌‌ ‌‌mercy”,‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌Lo-Ammi‌‌ ‌‌which‌‌ ‌‌means‌‌ ‌‌“Not‌‌ ‌‌my‌‌ ‌‌people”.‌‌  ‌‌The‌‌ ‌‌name‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌children‌‌ ‌indicated‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌attitude‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌towards‌‌ ‌‌Israel,‌‌ ‌‌but‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌day‌‌ ‌‌is‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌Israel‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌return‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌he‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌receive‌‌ ‌‌them‌‌ ‌‌as‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌loving‌‌ ‌‌father‌‌ ‌‌receives‌‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌lost‌‌ ‌‌child.‌‌  ‌‌As‌ ‌Hosea‌ ‌loved‌ ‌and‌ ‌cared‌ ‌for‌ ‌his‌ ‌cheating‌ ‌wife,‌ ‌so‌ ‌does‌ ‌God‌ ‌love‌ ‌and‌ ‌care‌ ‌for‌ ‌his‌ ‌rebellious‌ ‌children.‌  ‌We‌‌ ‌‌serve‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌covenant‌‌ ‌‌keeping‌‌ ‌‌God.‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Joel‘s‌‌ ‌‌name‌‌ ‌‌means‌‌ ‌‌“Jehovah‌‌ ‌‌is‌‌ ‌‌God”.‌‌ ‌‌The‌‌ ‌‌prophet‌‌ ‌‌Joel‌‌ ‌‌describes‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌judgement‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌Lord,‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌but‌‌ ‌‌also‌‌ ‌‌a‌s‌ ‌a‌ ‌‌call‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌repentance‌‌ ‌‌for‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌day‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌Lord‌‌ ‌‌was‌ ‌‌near.‌‌ ‌‌A‌‌ ‌‌locust‌‌ ‌‌swarm‌‌ ‌‌devastated‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌Israel‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌he‌‌ ‌‌called‌ ‌‌on‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌priest‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌help‌‌ ‌‌lead‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌people‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌repentance.‌‌  ‌‌The‌ ‌lord‌ ‌used‌ ‌the‌ ‌locust‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌judgement‌ ‌call‌ ‌for‌ ‌Israel‌ ‌to‌ ‌repent.‌ ‌Joel‌  ‌‌called‌ ‌‌on‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌people‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌genuinely‌‌ ‌‌repent‌‌ ‌‌because‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌is‌‌ ‌‌gracious‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌loving.‌‌  ‌‌Joel‌‌ ‌‌asked‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌forgive‌‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌people‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌God‌ ‌‌reversed‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌effects‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌day‌‌ ‌‌from‌‌ ‌‌judgment‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌salvation.‌‌  ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌allow‌ed‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌presence‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌among‌‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌people,‌‌ ‌‌where‌‌ ‌‌it‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌accessible‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌them.‌‌  ‌‌If‌‌ ‌‌we‌‌ ‌‌just‌‌ ‌‌repent,‌‌ ‌‌God’s‌‌ ‌‌presence‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌transform‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌empower‌‌ ‌‌us‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌follow‌‌ ‌‌him.‌‌  ‌‌We‌ ‌can‌ ‌see‌ ‌the‌ ‌results‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌power‌ ‌of‌ ‌prayer‌ ‌and‌ ‌fasting‌ ‌during‌ ‌difficult‌ ‌times.‌  ‌We‌‌ ‌‌need‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌repent‌‌ ‌‌in‌‌ ‌‌hope‌‌ ‌‌for‌‌ ‌‌restoration.‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌ ‌

Amos‌‌ ‌‌was‌‌ ‌‌a‌‌ ‌‌layman‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌shepherd‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌was‌‌ ‌‌called‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌proclaim‌‌ ‌‌God’s‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌judgement‌‌ ‌‌on‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌northern‌‌ ‌‌kingdom‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌Israel‌ ‌and‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌house‌ ‌of‌ ‌Jacob.‌‌  ‌‌King‌‌ ‌‌Jeroboam‌‌ ‌‌II‌‌ ‌‌ruled‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌was‌‌ ‌‌successful‌‌ ‌‌but‌‌ ‌‌he‌‌ ‌‌allowed‌‌ ‌‌idol‌‌ ‌‌worship.‌‌  ‌‌Amos‌‌ ‌‌announced‌‌ ‌‌God’s‌‌ ‌‌word‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌Israel‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌nation‌‌ ‌‌in‌‌ ‌‌poems‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌visions.‌‌ ‌‌He‌‌ ‌‌accused‌ ‌the‌ ‌privileged‌ ‌people‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌ignoring‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌allowing‌‌ ‌‌injustice‌‌ ‌‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌‌poor‌‌ ‌‌but‌ ‌‌warned‌ ‌them‌ ‌that‌ ‌‌their‌‌ ‌‌sin‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌rebellion‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌bring‌‌ ‌‌consequences.‌‌  ‌‌The‌ ‌people‌ ‌‌ignored‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌commands‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌covenant,‌‌ ‌‌and‌ ‌they‌‌ ‌‌worshiped ‌‌pagan‌‌ ‌‌idols‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌lost‌‌ ‌‌sight‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌their‌‌ ‌‌call‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌live‌‌ ‌‌righteously‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌repent.‌‌ ‌‌They‌‌ ‌‌were‌ ‌‌known‌‌ ‌‌for‌‌ ‌‌cheating,‌‌ ‌‌stealing‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌oppressing‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌poor.‌‌ ‌‌Although‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌brings‌‌ ‌‌judgement,‌‌ ‌‌he‌‌ ‌also‌  ‌‌restore‌‌ ‌‌his‌‌ ‌‌family.‌‌ ‌‌‌  ‌In‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌visions‌ ‌the‌ ‌lord‌ ‌commanded‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌temple‌ ‌be‌ ‌torn‌ ‌down‌ ‌falling‌ ‌upon‌ ‌the‌ ‌worshipers‌ ‌and‌ ‌that‌ ‌none‌ ‌be‌ ‌spared.‌ ‌We‌‌ ‌‌need‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌seek‌‌ ‌‌God‌‌ ‌‌so‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌we‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌live‌‌ ‌a‌ ‌peaceful‌ ‌‌but‌ ‌we‌ ‌he‌ ‌also‌ ‌said‌ ‌he‌ ‌will‌ ‌rebuild‌ ‌the‌ ‌tabernacle‌ ‌on‌ ‌earth‌ ‌for‌ ‌Christ‌ ‌to‌ ‌rule‌ ‌in‌ ‌his‌ ‌millennium‌ ‌kingdom.‌ ‌Praise‌ ‌the‌ ‌lord.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Obadiah‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌shortest‌ ‌book‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌old‌ ‌testament.‌ ‌Obadiah‌ ‌was‌ ‌God’s‌ ‌messenger‌ ‌to‌ ‌Edom.‌ ‌The‌ ‌people‌ ‌of‌ ‌Edom‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Israelites‌ ‌belong‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌family‌ ‌of‌ ‌Abraham.‌  ‌Abraham‌ ‌and‌ ‌Sarah‌ ‌had‌ ‌Isaac.‌  ‌Isaac‌ ‌and‌ ‌Rebecca‌ ‌had‌ ‌two‌ ‌sons‌ ‌named‌ ‌Jacob‌ ‌and‌ ‌Esau.‌ ‌They‌ ‌had‌ ‌lots‌ ‌of‌ ‌struggles‌ ‌and‌ ‌they‌ ‌received‌ ‌the‌ ‌name‌ ‌Israel‌ ‌and‌ ‌Edom.‌  ‌Their‌ ‌families‌ ‌also‌ ‌had‌ ‌lots‌ ‌of‌ ‌struggles.‌ ‌The‌ ‌people‌ ‌of‌ ‌Edom‌ ‌believed‌ ‌they‌ ‌were‌ ‌better‌ ‌than‌ ‌the‌ ‌Israelites‌ ‌and‌ ‌they‌ ‌helped‌ ‌Babylon‌ ‌destroy‌ ‌Jerusalem;‌ ‌therefore‌ ‌God‌ ‌said‌ ‌thru‌ ‌Obadiah‌ ‌that‌ ‌Edom‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌lowered‌ ‌and‌ ‌destroyed.‌  ‌Obadian‌ ‌said‌ ‌the‌ ‌day‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Lord‌ ‌is‌ ‌near‌ ‌for‌ ‌all‌ ‌nations‌ ‌that‌ ‌act‌ ‌like‌ ‌Edom‌ ‌and‌ ‌they‌ ‌will‌ ‌face‌ ‌the‌ ‌same‌ ‌consequences.‌  ‌Edom’s‌ ‌rise‌ ‌and‌ ‌fall‌ ‌is‌ ‌an‌ ‌example‌ ‌of‌ ‌how‌ ‌God’s‌ ‌justice‌ ‌opposes‌ ‌pride‌ ‌and‌ ‌this‌ ‌is‌ ‌what‌ ‌will‌ ‌happen‌ ‌to‌ ‌all‌ ‌prideful‌ ‌nations.‌ ‌This‌ ‌is‌ ‌also‌ ‌an‌ ‌example‌ ‌for‌ ‌us‌ ‌now‌ ‌not‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌prideful‌ ‌and‌ ‌think‌ ‌that‌ ‌we‌ ‌are‌ ‌better‌ ‌than‌ ‌someone‌ ‌else.‌ ‌ ‌

God‌ ‌asked‌ ‌the‌ ‌prophet‌ ‌Jonah‌ ‌to‌ ‌go‌ ‌preach‌ ‌against‌ ‌evil‌ ‌in‌ ‌Nineveh,‌ ‌but‌ ‌he‌ ‌was‌ ‌rebellious‌ ‌and‌ ‌went‌  ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌opposite‌ ‌direction‌ ‌to‌ ‌Tarshish‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌ship.‌ ‌The‌ ‌lord‌ ‌sends‌ ‌a‌ ‌storm‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌sailors‌ ‌were‌ ‌afraid‌ ‌and‌ ‌they‌ ‌wake‌ ‌Jonah‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌call‌ ‌on‌ ‌his‌ ‌God‌ ‌for‌ ‌help.‌  ‌He‌ ‌explains‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌reason‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌storm‌ ‌was‌ ‌because‌ ‌of‌ ‌his‌ ‌disobedience‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Lord.‌  ‌They‌ ‌asked‌ ‌what‌ ‌they‌ ‌should‌ ‌do‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌told‌ ‌them‌ ‌to‌ ‌throw‌ ‌him‌ ‌overboard‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌sea‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌calm.‌  ‌But‌ ‌the‌ ‌lord‌ ‌saves‌ ‌Jonah‌ ‌by‌ ‌having‌ ‌him‌ ‌swallowed‌ ‌by‌ ‌a‌ ‌fish.‌  ‌Jonah‌ ‌prays‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌belly‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌fish‌ ‌and‌ ‌God‌ ‌causes‌ ‌the‌ ‌fish‌ ‌to‌ ‌vomit‌ ‌him‌ ‌on‌ ‌dry‌ ‌land.‌  ‌God‌ ‌asked‌ ‌Jonah‌ ‌to‌ ‌go‌ ‌preach‌ ‌against‌ ‌the‌ ‌evil‌ ‌in‌ ‌Nineveh‌ ‌again‌ ‌and‌ ‌this‌ ‌time‌ ‌he‌ ‌did,‌ ‌but‌ ‌all‌ ‌he‌ ‌said‌ ‌was‌ ‌“Yet‌ ‌40‌ ‌days‌ ‌and‌ ‌Nineveh‌ ‌shall‌ ‌be‌ ‌overthrown”.‌  ‌I‌ ‌think‌ ‌he‌ ‌had‌ ‌a‌ ‌little‌ ‌attitude‌ ‌because‌ ‌he‌ ‌didn’t‌ ‌say‌ ‌God‌ ‌sent‌ ‌him‌ ‌or‌ ‌why‌ ‌it‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌destroyed‌ ‌or‌ ‌what‌ ‌they‌ ‌should‌ ‌do‌ ‌about‌ ‌it,‌ ‌or‌ ‌who‌ ‌will‌ ‌overthrow‌ ‌them,‌ ‌but‌ ‌the‌ ‌people‌ ‌and‌ ‌animals‌ ‌repented.‌  ‌God‌ ‌forgives‌ ‌them‌ ‌from‌ ‌when‌ ‌he‌ ‌saw‌ ‌that‌ ‌they‌ ‌turn‌ ‌from‌ ‌their‌ ‌wicked‌ ‌ways.‌  ‌Jonah‌ ‌is‌ ‌angry‌ ‌and‌ ‌tells‌ ‌God‌ ‌he‌ ‌didn’t‌ ‌obey‌ ‌the‌ ‌1st‌ ‌time‌ ‌because‌ ‌he‌ ‌knew‌ ‌that‌ ‌God‌  ‌was‌ ‌merciful‌ ‌and‌ ‌would‌ ‌forgive‌ ‌the‌ ‌Nineveh ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌prayed‌ ‌for‌ ‌God‌ ‌to‌ ‌kill‌ ‌him‌ ‌because‌ ‌he‌ ‌would‌ ‌rather‌ ‌die‌ ‌than‌ ‌live‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌God‌ ‌that‌ ‌forgives‌ ‌his‌ ‌enemies.‌ ‌God‌ ‌doesn’t‌ ‌kill‌ ‌him‌ ‌and‌ ‌God‌ ‌asked‌ ‌Jonah‌ ‌if‌ ‌his‌ ‌anger‌ ‌is‌ ‌justified.‌ ‌I‌ ‌am‌ ‌thankful‌ ‌that‌ ‌God‌ ‌loves‌ ‌his‌ ‌enemies‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌gives‌ ‌them‌ ‌several‌ ‌chances‌ ‌to‌ ‌repent.‌ ‌ ‌

Micah,‌ ‌which‌ ‌means‌ ‌who‌ ‌is‌ ‌like‌ ‌Jehovah,‌ ‌was‌ ‌a‌ ‌prophet‌ ‌to‌ ‌Judah.‌  ‌to‌ ‌proclaim‌ ‌warning‌ ‌and‌ ‌judgement‌ ‌to‌ ‌both‌ ‌the‌ ‌Northern‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Southern‌ ‌kingdoms.‌ ‌ ‌God‌ ‌comes‌ ‌to‌ ‌bring‌ ‌his‌ ‌judgment‌ ‌on‌ ‌Israel‌ ‌for‌ ‌over‌ ‌500‌ ‌years‌ ‌of‌ ‌rebellion‌ ‌because‌ ‌they‌ ‌have‌ ‌become‌ ‌wealthy‌ ‌thru‌ ‌theft‌ ‌and‌ ‌greed‌ ‌and‌ ‌their‌ ‌prophets‌ ‌are‌ ‌corrupt.‌  ‌They‌ ‌are‌ ‌violating‌ ‌the‌ ‌law.‌ ‌God’s‌ ‌purpose‌ ‌is‌ ‌to‌ ‌make‌ ‌Israel‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌place‌ ‌between‌ ‌heaven‌ ‌and‌ ‌earth‌ ‌and‌ ‌God‌ ‌become‌ ‌the‌ ‌king‌ ‌of‌ ‌all‌ ‌nations‌ ‌and‌ ‌bring‌ ‌peace‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌earth.‌  ‌Micah‌ ‌also‌ ‌tells‌ ‌us‌ ‌that‌ ‌a‌ ‌new‌ ‌Messianic ‌king‌ will‌ ‌come,‌ ‌born‌ ‌in‌ ‌Bethlehem‌ ‌and‌ ‌rule‌ ‌in‌ ‌Jerusalem.‌ ‌ ‌Do‌ ‌justice,‌ ‌love‌ ‌mercy‌ ‌and‌ ‌walk‌ ‌humbly‌ ‌with‌ ‌your‌ ‌god.‌ ‌God‌’s ‌mercy‌ ‌is‌ ‌more‌ ‌powerful‌ ‌than‌ ‌his‌ ‌judgement‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌covenant‌ ‌keeping‌ ‌God.‌

To be hearers of the Word and doers of the Word with repentance and turning to God because He is truthful, just have faith.

Hosea did as the Lord said by marrying a harlot women, who was then unfaithful; which demonstrates how Israel was unfaithful to God.  Jonah on the other hand was disobedience to the Lord and fled the opposite direction from the commands of the Lord, plus endure time of 3 days in a whales stomach, which I found out that it was recalled by Jesus on His three days in the tomb.  God had mercy on Jonah by giving him a plant for God cared for and Jonah enjoyed after it was big enough to give shade…Then God removed it since Jonah depended on the plant to show that first God depended on Jonah for Jonah to be obedient.

– Hosea

Hands down, finishing up this book was really an eye-opening read today. The scripture at the end of the book, “Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

Hosea 14:9 NKJV” hit me in a way that I had to mirror this on my own life. Am I righteous, or am I a transgressor simply because I stumble. Deep thinking, justification, and such. Before this, I don’t think I ever considered reading the book of Hosea. To be honest, it was like one of those books you pass over and only reference it in remembrance based on how grimey the story was. I say that now, and feel like I do that with other books in the bible. Anyway, that’s another story. Moving on, the Lord told Hosea to take a woman of harlotry.

I found this scripture interesting, “Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’

Hosea 1:10 NKJV. God said, “The number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea!” That’s big! Chapter 2 was a heavy read. From 2:1-13 (Gods unfaithful people, and the charges) I was shocked as I was reading this at work. A different side of God was what I saw and perceived. Hosea 9:1 NKJV caught my attention in a way of how God wants his people to worship him. Overall Israels heart was divided. To keep it a hundred, I think I needed to read this book man. End quote.

– Joel

Joel 1:2‭-‬3 NKJV caught my attention as whatever the Lord has done in the past, be sure to tell the next generation about it. In Joel 1:6 the reading was about a fierce Lion. I’m assuming that’s Satan.

Joel 1:12 stated how “…joy had withered away from the sons of men.” With a lot of stuff that goes on while pursuing God on this walk, this verse hit me as like, your joy can go out.

In Joel 2:1-11, this area in scripture is titled “The day of the lord,” and these verses specifically grabs my attention in a way that this is something to look forward to.” “…For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, Joel 2:1.” That’s, awestructurous! I don’t know if that’s even a word, but man, this whole section catches my attention. Joel 2:12-17 speaks about how it’s a call to repentance and just come as you are and respect the Lords authority. In later verse, it speaks about how God will restore everything, and then pour his spirit out.

For as the day of the lord is near, and as he expresses himself, he will also put a shelter around his people. In the end the lord will bless his people.

– Amos

Amos 2:6‭-‬7 NKJV captured my attention as it reminded me of a past life when also, things like this  are still going on to this day. In Amos 2:16 it states that, ” The most courageous men of might Shall flee naked in that day,” Says the Lord.” It’s like, no one is safe from Gods judgement. I heard the scripture Amos 3:2 NKJV on a music album titled, “DAMN,” once, and when I read it today, it brought back a remembrance.  In Amos 3:6 NKJV it speaks about a trumpet blowing and also the calamities that happen. I think about how everything that happens in this world, God allows and or knows of it. Reading Amos 3:7 I reflected on the what ifs if God informed me of anything yet to come. I think even if he has or will consider me for knowing something ahead of time, he knows I’ll b ready to hear it. In Amos 3:12 NKJV he talks about the Lion again. Again, I’m assuming that’s Satan. From 4:6-13 Israel did not accept correction. An inspiring verse I liked was Amos 4:12-13 NKJV, “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth— The Lord God of hosts is His name.”

I like what was stated in the book of Amos that, “The day of the lord is like fleeing from a lion and instead being met by a bear.” I also noticed how the children of Israel rebelled against the Lord and he rose up a nation to come against them. Overall, Amos 8 has a strong and deep vision of what was to come.

– Obadiah

In the vision of Obadiah, the people’s pride was deceived which brought upon themselves a coming judgement. In Obadiah 1:4 it states how elevating yourself above God will bring an individual back down and as it transitions into verse 5 I look at it like, it would be better for God bringing you down than being catched by the robbers and thieves. It’s crazy how in Obadiah 1:7, it states how the men at peace with you shall deceive you and fail you. I can’t imagine a thing like that, oh wait yes I can. In Obadiah 1:15 NKJV it states, “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.” I like to think that the same way you judge others, you yourself will be judged. Maybe that’s why they’re receiving judgement in the first place. But with all these shenanigans going on, there will be deliverance on Mount Zion, and Israel will triumph.

– Jonah

So this is the thing about the book of Jonah,. I didn’t know that they casted lots to determine who around them was basically the reason for the tempest at sea. Another thing is, how God’s calling on your life when he calls you, no matter if you try to run away God’s intended purpose will happen. It also caught my attention of how Jonah turned around and repented and turned to god, and was very very enthused about his position and his calling like he was determined and when he saw God moving a different way other than the way he expected it to go he became upset. It reminds me of situations in my life where I’m like, God bring havoc because of what’s happening, give it to this person/situation, and then God does the complete opposite. That caught my attention on a hot note! At the end of the book it ends with God asking Jonah a question. I’ve often heard this being used before of where people hear from God and it’s just a question and like God isn’t really asking you the question to get an answer he’s asking you the question so you could realize and answer it for yourself. First time reading the book of Jonah. Eye opener!

– Micah

In Micah chapter 3 the lord called out the wicked rulers and prophets shamefully. It’s so detailed that it’s like a diss of specifications to the attributes of these wicked people. That’s raw! In Micah 5 the coming messiah (Jesus) is mentioned. Micah 7:7, “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me,” reminds me so much of that song by Maverick City Music, “Wait on you.” I read the verse and it reminded me of the song. Micah 2:1 reminded me of myself. That’s conviction! I read how the people are comparisons to harlots. Like, selling themselves for something else, outside of the given nature of what God intended/wants from them.

Hosea – Hosea was a prophet told by God to marry a prostitute named Gomer. Gomer and Hosea has 3 children none of which Hosea can confirm were his since Gomer still seeing other men while she was married to him. Gomer in fact left Hosea during the marriage because she was so unhappy and Gomer had to go purchase her back. God wanted to show his people through Hosea that just as Hosea was married to a prostitute their relationship with him as their God was greatly damaged because they chose to worship other Gods and were committing idolatry. In the end God does restore what was lost and broken but it does come at a cost.

Joel – Here he talks about how God is going to send invaders to overtake them if they don’t repent., and how a swarm of locust wiped everything out, also how there will be no stopping them, because of their sin . Joel praying for the people to change their ways and putting God before them and putting God first all He wants them to do is turn back to Him and give Him their hearts with fasting and praying and He will give them back more than what they lost and there land.

Amos – Amos here talks about how if the Jewish people don’t change their ways of unrighteousness and how they treat the poor that their would ultimately doom headed their way. Amos talked about the injustice, sexual immorality and corruption. and worshipping of idols, that even called them fat cows. God being Who He is forgives them and lets them know that the line of King David will be restored and that they would never.
be uprooted again.

Obadiah – Obadiah the prophet was among those who were taken into exile, The Babylonian armies either executed and enslaved the people showing no mercy. Obadiah rebukes the Edomites for their ruthlessness and how they treated the people who were captured as well this Kingdom was overrun.
But God lets His people know that they would get back their land be restored and be blessed once again.

Jonah – Jonah was called to warn the people of Nineveh of their destruction, Jonah tries to flee so he didn’t have to let the people of Nineveh know of their destruction, He didn;t want to deliver the prophecy because he knew God wouldn’t follow through and destroy the people, so he gets on a ship , and that didn’t end well he ended up in a belly of a great fish and still ended up telling the people of Nineveh that they were in for destruction, but God once again forgave his people, God is truly a loving God, He will never leave us or forsake us amen….

In reading Jonah this time around, I realized certain things that I didn’t before. I used to think that him being in the fish was punishment, but it actually saved him. In verse 1:17, it says the Lord had “prepared a great fish”. So even though Jonah was running from his calling, the Lord still showed great mercy and grace toward him. He could’ve picked someone else with a willing heart, but he gave Jonah another chance. God is so so good.

I used to think that Jonah apologized to God in the fish but he didn’t! He cried out to God, and praised God, and committed to doing what he said he would do, but he never apologized, and yet God still allows him to live and complete his calling. God is so so good.

I somehow thought Jonah repented of his bitterness toward Nineveh but the book ends with the goodness and kindness of God, but Jonah still being angry. If I’m reading it correctly, he’d rather be angry to death than repent and ask for a merciful heart. It was actually sad to read. It was beautiful to read about the God’s lovingkindness and mercy, but left me hoping that Jonah eventually had a change of heart. It als0 caused me to repent in my own life for not being more merciful, especially in my marriage.