Season 1
The last chapter of Zephaniah talks about the rebellious and obstinate city Jerusalem, but also about how God will redeem, not just Israel, but also the nations far away. From beyond Cush (that is Ethiopia) offerings will be brought. What does this mean in New Testament terms? Could this be talking about us?
Zephaniah prophecies with such urgency that it seems as if action is not taken immediately the world will end. Why the urgency if the world in fact will not end for thousands of years or more?
Zephaniah is a prophet that seems to declare the judgements of God in the most pointed terms, and while many people think there are two judgements in this chapter, it seems there are actually three. What are they? And how do they affect you?
The last chapter of Habakkuk is a prayer, similar to the psalms. It is a prayer of praise in the midst of a situation where every single thing you can possibly imagine has gone wrong. What do you do in such a situation like that? You follow the example of Habakkuk, as described in this video.
Three times in the New Testament this chapter of Habakkuk is quoted, in Romans, in Galatians, and in Hebrews. What does the New Testament have to say about Righteousness, faith and life?
Habakkuk prays for revival in Judah, but it seems like God is not listening to him, so he complains about it. But then, God answers his complaint with the most surprising of answers...
The Assyrians were not known for mercy, and they were responsible for the complete and absolute destruction of No-Amon (Thebes) in Egypt. Now just fifty years later, Nahum compares Thebes to Nineveh.
Nahum prophecies the fall of Nineveh, down to the colour of the attacking armies, who wore red battle attire. The Lord in his everlasting patience had given the Assyrians an extra one hundred years from the time of Jonah's warnings, but Nahum comes to declare that the end is near. That great city of 600,000 people was soon gone.
Just a few books earlier in the Bible Jonah went to Nineveh and the result was mercy. Now Nahum has a word for Nineveh and the result is doom. This chapter outlines how the city was to fall to flood, fire and attacking armies, and Diodorus Siculus outlines how massive flooding undermined the walls of the city, which collapsed allowing in the attacked Medes and Babylonians.
This chapter is divided into two parts. The first is for the ungodly Israel and the second for the godly Israel. One the one hand they are both Israel, but on the other hand only the godly is true Israel.