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Meet Hosea
Hosea was a prophet who lived and prophesied in the last decades before the fall of Samaria. While the text does not say explicitly, it seems logical that Hosea lived in the Northern Kingdom (Israel) based on his detailed knowledge of the geography. The message appears directed toward Israel, but the lessons Hosea teaches were meant for Judah and ultimately for every generation.
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Majoring in the Minors – Historical Context
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Majoring in the Minors – Introduction
There are dozens of prophets mentioned in the Old Testament. Some are credited with writing whole books. Moses was the first and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He is credited with writing (or at least compiling) the first five books of the bible and probably the book of Job. Other great prophets like Elijah, Elisha, and Nathan did not contribute directly to the text of scripture, but were instead subjects of scripture. The period known as the “period of the prophets” was between the times of Solomon and Alexander even though God has used prophets before and since. This period is called the period of the prophets because this…
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Good News – Revelation 22
John’s Revelations The book of Revelations is John’s written record of a series of prophetic visions. The first three chapters read as a series of messages to specific churches, but also seem to be prophetic descriptions of various ages of the church.
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Good News – Hebrews 1
Introduction The book of Hebrews is one of my favorites in the New Testament. There is considerable debate as to the identity of the author, but as far as I’m concerned there’s no doubt it is the inspired word of God. The book was written primarily to the Jewish believers. It holds many nuanced references aimed to reach out to Jews. Even so, its truths transcend the Hebrew people and benefit all Christ believers, be they Jew or Gentile. In the first chapter the position and role of Jesus Christ is identified, as are angels and man relative to Jesus.
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Good News – John 3
About the Gospel of John The book of John is probably my favorite book of the bible and definitely my favorite Gospel account. The other Gospels provide excellent detailed accounts of the life of the man, Jesus Christ. John puts far more emphasis on the deity of Jesus. John was known as the one loved by Jesus. Of all the apostles, he alone stood with Jesus’ mother at the cross and held her while he died. John was the only apostle to live into old age and he was the one who received and recorded the visions we in the book of Revelation.
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Good News – Luke 14
Parables of Luke 14 Throughout the chapter Jesus speaks in parables. In the first parable (vv 1-6) Jesus questions the religious leaders about doing good deeds on the Sabbath. The parable of the wedding feast (vv 7-11) is the first of two that use different feast scenarios to illustrate heaven. In this one Jesus shows the importance of humility. The parable of the great banquet (vv 12-24) is really two parables in one. First Jesus says plainly why we should do good deeds that cannot be repaid by friends and family. In the second part he indicates that entry to heaven requires a person choose to be there, but also…
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Good News – Hosea 14
About Hosea Hosea prophesied near the end of the Northern Kingdom (before 722 BC). In earlier chapters God tells him to take an adulterous wife. Later God causes them to reconcile. Whoredom is often used in scripture to illustrate idolatry. When the people aren’t faithful to God, they “whore” around with false religion. Through Hosea God proclaims the impending fall of Israel. Even so, the lessons of Hosea are for all ages. Going beyond political reconciliation of Israel after its fall, as seen in the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra’s era, Hosea depicts the greater reconciliation of man to Himself poetically and profoundly in Chapter 14.
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Good News – Nahum 3
Historical Perspective Nahum prophesied circa 650 BC, more than 100 years after Jonah visited Nineveh. Since then, in 722 BC, Assyria attacked and conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel taking the Hebrews captive to Nineveh. A few decades after Nahum’s prophesy the events forecast were fulfilled in 612 BC. At the time of Nahum’s writing the Assyrians were regarded in the Southern Kingdom as brutal and oppressive heathens and a dangerous threat lying at the doorstep of Judah. Nahum prophesied the destruction of Nineveh and the resulting collapse of Assyrian power. They hoped for the return of the Jews exiled from the Northern Kingdom.
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Good News – Jonah 4
Historical Setting of Jonah It was interesting to me that both Jonah and Nahum were prophets to Nineveh. Nineveh was the capitol of Assyria until it was destroyed in 612 BC. Nahum specifically prophesied the destruction of Nineveh. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Ki 14:25 as living during the reign of Jeroboam II. The events recorded in the book of Jonah likely took place during this period (ca. 793-753 BC) which was at least 3 decades before Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom.