I've been disturbed by the news lately. So I've been reflecting on the Minor Prophets, in particular Nahum and Zephaniah ( Read more... )

Doves, turtledoves, and pigeons are mentioned quite often throughout the Bible. Are these turtledoves the same kind as the ones we see out the window here in Pennsylvania - the ones who coo so nicely? According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, there were three main types of turtledoves in ancient Israel:

-Palm Dove (also called ( Read more... )

I've been reading Amos and am trying to figure out some things...

The reign of Jeroboam II is estimated to have occurred around 791-750 BC. "Jeroboam...became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years." 2 Kings 14:23 During his reign, Assyria was a major world power. Israel only lasted another 30 or 40 years after Jeroboam II's reign. During ( Read more... )

I've been curious to get a better grasp on how the Old Testament saints quote the Old Testament. I found one reference book that's provided a helpful starting point. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith notes places where the prophets quote/reference the Torah. I skimmed through the references for Jonah, Habakkuk, Nahum, ( Read more... )

Yesterday I was reflecting on the nation of Assyria. It was a mighty, ancient nation dating back to the early days of the earth. The Assyrian King list gives us a picture of this. This document lists the Assyrian kings who ruled during the course of some 1500 years. Yet "behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket" Isaiah 40. "Who among the ( Read more... )

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Yesterday I reached the end of Nahum chapter 2. This book is written in a very different way compared to Jonah and Habakkuk. Jonah is a narrative which recounts the ministry of a prophet whom God sent to a mighty city in a foreign (hostile) nation. Habakkuk is a conversation between Habakkuk and God which begins with questions, is filled with ( Read more... )

In the Old Testament when "good news" or "good tidings" are spoken of, what do these messages look like?
news of:victory, freedom, salvation (Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15)freedom from sin (John 8:33-34; Luke 1:74)
news of:peace (Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15)peace with God (John 3; Luke 1:74-75)
news of:revelation of God (Isaiah 40:9)Jesus (John 1:1-3, 1:14, ( Read more... )