Listen to These Warnings: Repent or Lament

What do you know about the prophets in the Bible? Let’s see if this covers it? Elijah “fought” the bad guys and called down fire on them, Elisha followed in his footsteps, Isaiah saw the throne of God, and Jeremiah had a tough job going to his people with the truth they did not want to hear. Does that about cover the major prophets? (Other than Daniel and Ezekiel. We’ll get to them next week.)

What about the minor prophets? One got swallowed by a big fist. Another married a prostitute. They told the people to repent, but nobody really listened to them. Anything else?

I would say that about covered my opinion of the prophets for many years. They were just extra books randomly stuck into the Sunday School schedule, and the pastor quoted from them when he really wanted to make a point and scare you about God’s coming judgement.

After reading through the whole story of the Bible with the prophets “stuck” in where they belong, they really do add to the whole story.

Here’s my summary of the prophets: God will judge evil. God loves His people very much.

How do I get that from all those “doom and gloom” books? God gave them warning after warning calling them to repent and return to Him so He could bless them. Uhhh—–do I never need to be reminded to turn back to Him, over and over? That would be yes and yes and yes. I am so thankful for the reminders.

Second, every book has a “but God”. The prophets show us God will eventually judge and punish the wicked, BUT GOD will also always bless the righteous who love Him. Have I seen both those truths in my life? Again, yes and yes.

Third, and maybe most important, they point us to Jesus. Over and over the prophets remind the people of God’s Promise in the Covenant and how He has always kept His promises.

Don’t skip the prophets. The Old Testament is pretty hopeless without them, but, with them, there is Hope.

Check them out at The Bible from A to Z – Set L – Listen to These Warnings. Don’t end up having to lament you know nothing about the Truths in their messages. Read them as part of the Story. You’ll be glad you did.