"Flight into Egypt" from the video "The Wise Men Seek Jesus" As we've studied the Old Testament this year, I've learned some things which will enhance my celebration of Christmas this week. Here are some of those new insights, with links to the original blog posts: 1. Bethlehem is a small but fruitful place. I... Continue Reading →

"Elijah Appearing in the Kirtland Temple" (fragment), by Dan Lewis The name Malachi (מַלְאָכִי) means "my messenger." Here are some of the messages Malachi delivered to the post-exilic inhabitants of Jerusalem: God loves you (Malachi 1:1-5). You have despised and profaned His name by offering corrupt sacrifices to Him (Malachi 1:6-14). The priests will be... Continue Reading →

The Second Jewish Temple. Model in the Israel Museum. After decades in captivity, the Jews were finally authorized to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their city and the temple. As recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the work moved slowly at first, but "through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the... Continue Reading →

Stained glass window depicting Isaiah, Zechariah, and Habakkuk. This window is on the south aisle of St John the Evangelist, Knotty Ash, a church in Liverpool, England. About 50 years after the death of Isaiah, the prophets Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah preached in Jerusalem. All three were likely familiar with Isaiah's prophecies; all three of... Continue Reading →

"Jonah on the Beach at Nineveh" (detail), by Daniel A. Lewis Jonah How would you respond if God asked you to do something impossible? Running away might not be the wisest course of action, but the instinct might be understandable. "Arise," the Lord commanded Jonah, "go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up... Continue Reading →

Bread of Life by Chris Young Prophets Although he was from Tekoa, a village about 12 miles south of Jerusalem and about 6 miles from Bethlehem, Amos prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel. When the priest Amaziah told him to go home and stop saying unpleasant things about the king of Israel, Amos replied... Continue Reading →

"The Prophet Hosea," by Duccio di Buoninsegna (c. 1310) Hosea lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of its fourteenth king, Jeroboam II, just a few decades before the Assyrian Conquest. His name (הוֹשֵׁעַ) means "salvation," and his book is about God's willingness to save Israel, even though they have turned away from... Continue Reading →

"Daniel's Answer to the King" (detail), by Briton Rivière Worldly power, no matter how impressive or intimidating, is always subordinate to God's power. That is the main theme of the book of Daniel. Through a series of miraculous experiences, Daniel and his friends demonstrate that faithfulness to God is a surer source of stability and... Continue Reading →

The name Ezekiel (יְחֶזְקֵאל) means "God strengthens." This is an appropriate name for a prophet who saw remarkable visions about future manifestations of God's power on behalf of his people. Ezekiel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and of Lehi. However, the three prophets were led to different places as the Babylonian Empire conquered the kingdom... Continue Reading →

"Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem," by Rembrandt In spite of the catastrophic context of this week's reading, there is a surprising amount of hope and resilience in the text. The kingdom of Judah has been conquered by Babylon. Jerusalem has been destroyed. Everything that Jeremiah and his contemporaries have counted on has disappeared, except for... Continue Reading →