Category: OT Reflections

Reflections on Habakkuk 3

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Habakkuk prays to God.

  • Salvation and Judgment – Habakkuk recognizes that God will save his people by judging their enemies (v13). Some people want God to be a Savior but not a Judge, to be loving but not holy.  Habakkuk realizes that God must be both.  In order to save his people, God must judge the wicked.
  • Joyful Trust – Habakkuk ends his book with a glorious statement of joyful trust (v17-19). Though all earthly means may fail, he will yet rejoice in the Lord who is his strength.  In what situations do you need to rejoice in the Lord as you lean on his strength?

Reflections on Habakkuk 1-2

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God tells Habakkuk that he will judge Judah thru Babylon, and then judge Babylon.

  • Trust – Throughout the first two chapters, Habakkuk struggles to understand God’s plan. God tells him that the righteous shall live by faith (2:4).  For what in your life do you need to trust God?
  • God’s Glory – Habakkuk is concerned about God’s honor (1:12). God is also concerned about his honor – he will fill the whole earth with the knowledge of his glory (2:14).  All should keep silent before him (2:20).  Are you concerned about God’s honor?  How might that show in your life?

Reflections on Zephaniah 3

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Zephaniah predicts the coming day of the Lord – a time of great blessing for God’s people.

  • Future Blessings – Zephaniah ends his book with a beautiful picture of what is to come. God’s people will humbly serve God and act in righteousness and justice.  They will dwell in safety with God in their midst.  They will rejoice in the Lord even as he will rejoice in them.  What a glorious day is coming!  Rejoice and sing!

Reflections on Zephaniah 1-2

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Zephaniah predicts the coming day of the Lord – a time of great judgment.

  • Judgment for Sin – Most of Zephaniah deals with God’s judgment. The reason for this judgment is clear – “because they have sinned against the Lord” (1:17).  This includes idolatry (1:4-6), boasting (2:8), and pride (2:10, 15). God hates sin and will judge.  Sin is serious.  Are you taking sin seriously in your life?
  • Seek! – Zephaniah calls God’s people to seek the Lord, to seek righteousness, and to seek humility. Are you seeking these things?  In what ways?

Reflections on Nahum 2-3

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Nahum describes the fall of Nineveh.

  • Against Sinners – Twice God says he is against Nineveh (2:13, 3:5). In truth, God is against all people because of their sin (Romans 1:18).  But in Christ there is no longer any condemnation for us; in Christ God is no longer against us, but for us (Romans 8:1, 31).  Praise the Lord!
  • Trust – Nineveh plundered the nations and was full of wealth, but their wealth was about to be plundered (2:9). They trusted in the security of their city, but like Thebes (3:8-10), their city too would fail.  What are you living for?  What are you trusting in?

Reflections on Nahum 1

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Nahum proclaims the greatness of our God and predicts the coming fall of Nineveh.

  • God’s Wrath – God hates sin. He gave Nineveh a chance to repent through Jonah, but their repentance was short lived.  Now God’s wrath would be poured out in judgment.  God’s wrath is serious.  Praise the Lord that Jesus bore our sin and God’s wrath in our place!
  • Stronghold – While this book is bad news for Nineveh, it is good news for Judah. Nineveh had come against them and almost destroyed them, but God had been their stronghold.  Now God would be their stronghold in delivering Judah from Nineveh forever (1:7).  This was good news (1:15).  How do you need God to be your stronghold today?

Reflections on II Chronicles 33-35

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We see God’s interaction with two great kings, as the exile draws near.

  • Humility – It took capture and imprisonment to humble Manasseh. Josiah humbled himself when he heard the Word of the Lord.  How has God humbled you?  Do you humble yourself before God’s Word?
  • Judgment and Mercy – God judged Manasseh for his sins, but then showed him mercy when Manasseh humbled himself and cried out for help. God’s judgment was coming against Judah because of their sins, but God mercifully postponed his judgment because of Josiah’s humility.  How have you seen God’s judgment and mercy at work?

Reflections on II Kings 21-23

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Two evil kings are followed by Josiah – the final righteous king before the exile.  Note:

  • Influence and Consequences – Manasseh led the people of Judah astray into much evil, and God’s judgment was coming. Do you influence people towards God or away from him?  To do what is right or wrong?  Toward blessing or judgment?
  • Repentance – Josiah reads the Book of the Law and truly repents. He humbles himself, rips his clothes, and weeps over their past sin.  Then he moves in the right direction – he cleanses the temple from all the instruments of idolatry, destroys the high places, rids the land of mediums and idols, and much more.  When confronted with sin – do you seriously repent like this?

Reflections on Micah 5-7

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Micah shows us God’s response and our proper response to the ungodly world around us.

  • Coming Shepherd-King – A ruler will come from Bethlehem to shepherd the people and bring forth peace (5:2-4). Matthew references these verses in his account of Jesus’ birth.  The Shepherd-King has been born and will return to usher in peace.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
  • What the Lord Requires – In the midst of all the injustice, God calls Israel to love justice, to show mercy (or love), and to walk in humility before God (6:8). In what ways are these three expectations true in your life?  In what ways do you fall short?
  • Look to the Lord – In the midst of the oppression, Micah says he will look to the Lord (7:7). God will show compassion and forgive sins (7:18-20).  In what oppressive situations do you need to look to the Lord?  For what sins do you need to look to the Lord for forgiveness?

Reflections on Micah 1-4

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Micah proclaims judgment for Judah and Israel because of their idolatry and oppression, and one day these sins will be no more.

  • Idolatry and Oppression – Israel is condemned for their idolatry (1:6-7), while Judah is condemned for their oppression of the poor (2:1-3, 3:1-3). What idols lurk in your heart?  Are there ways you are oppressing others?
  • Coming Shepherd-King – While judgment is coming for their sin, God will one day raise up a king to gather the people like sheep and lead them (2:12-13). Jesus came to be our Good Shepherd to gather and lead us (John 10) and one day reign as King.
  • End of Oppression and Idolatry – Though there may be these sins today, there is coming a day when they will be no more. God will judge the people and restore those who have been oppressed (4:3-7).  God will cut off idolatry (5:13-14).  Imagine a world free of oppression and idolatry!