Bible Read Through - May 16 through 22
Prophetic literature is often full of figurative language, and frequently uses natural illustrations to reveal spiritual truth. Some parts the prophets foretell the future, but more frequently it calls people to repentance and a right relationship with God. The prophetic books are divided into two sections; the major prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel, followed by the twelve minor prophets. This distinction is based on the size of the books, not their significance.
May 16 Jer 1-5 and Lamentations 3 --- Call to repentance, judgment in love (acrostic poem)
Jeremiah (627BC) was one of the latter prophets to the southern Israel kingdom of Judah. The Babylonians were about to defeat the Assyrian Empire, and then move on to take Judah. False prophets had been declaring that God would deliver them as before, but Jeremiah prophesied the judgment of God in the form of forced exile. He was rejected and imprisoned for his doomsday predictions.
After his prophecies proved true and the first deportation had begun, he tells the remaining people to submit to God?s judgment and not flee. But while fleeing anyway they capture Jeremiah and drag him along to Egypt. These Jews never return to Israel.
In The Lamentations of Jeremiah (586BC) we find Jeremiah weeping over the destruction of Jerusalem, and the deportation of his people. Still, his hope is in God?s mercy, and eventual restoration. This happens 70 years later. Chapter 3 is an acrostic poem, where each stanza, and the verses within it begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
As a form of discipline the exile worked. The primary sin of Israel and Judah had been idolatry, and they never return to their former patterns.
May 17 Ezekiel 1-3, 18, 33 --- Ezekiel?s visions, calls to repentance, warnings of judgment.
The complete interpretation of many of Ezekiel?s visions (592BC) are still a mystery to us, but many are easily understood, and the overall gist off several others can be interpreted with some diligence and care. By this time, the northern nation of Israel had been deported to Assyria, so Ezekiel speaks to the southern nation of Judah.
May 18 Daniel 1-2, 4-6 --- Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar?s dreams, the lion?s den.
Daniel was taken into Babylonian exile in the first deportation from Jerusalem (605BC) as one of the brightest and most promising young men from Judah. He spends his life in the Babylonian court and very accurately interprets the king?s dream about four successive world empires. He also foresees the coming of Christ and the end of the age. His prophesies are directed towards the exiled Jews in Babylon.
May 19 Hosea 1-4 and Joel 2 --- Judgment upon Israel, judgment upon the world.
Hosea (750BC) and Joel (825BC) were written during the time of Assyrian empire?s rise to power, and much of the text deals with coming of judgment via Assyrians. Hosea?s voice is directed to the northern nation of Israel, and Joel is addressed to the southern nation of Judah.
May 20 Amos 3, Obad, and Jonah 1 --- Judgment on Israel, judgment on Esau, running from God.
Amos (760BC) and Jonah (800BC) were also written during the time of Assyrian rule, and refer to them in many places. Jonah specifically addresses the Nineveh, the capitol of Assyria. Obadiah?s date of writing (580 BC or 840BC is disputed, but was probably written shortly after the rise of the Babylonian empire. He speaks primarily to the exiled Jews in Babylon.
May 21 Micah 1-2 and Nahum 1 --- Judgment on Israel, judgment on Judah, judgment on Assyria.
Micah (730BC) was the last of the minor prophets that were written during the time of strong Assyrian dominance. He addresses the nation of Judah. Nahum (620BC) was written during the decline of the Assyrian empire, and most of his prophecies are directed at Nineveh, the capitol of Assyria.
May 22 Hab 1, Zeph 3, Haggai --- Judgment on Judah, rescue of Judah, a call to repent and turn to God.
Habakkuk (610BC) and Zephaniah (630BC) were also written during the decline of Assyrian rule and speak to the people of Judah. Haggai (520BC) was written after the Babylonian exile, and speaks directly to the remnant who returned to Jerusalem.
