“On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:23 ESV). Haggai, the prophet of Judah’s post-exilic period, wrote to the remnant who
“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.’” (Zephaniah 1:12 ESV). The prophet Zephaniah wrote to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the reign
“O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2 ESV). Habakkuk, a prophet of Judah, wrote during a time when God’s covenant people were marked by corruption, injustice, and violence. Though the nation was called by the LORD’s
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him” (Nahum 1:7 ESV). Nahum, a prophet of the Lord, wrote this oracle to the people of Judah around 663–612 BC, amid Assyria’s brutal oppression after Nineveh’s temporary repentance in Jonah’s time. Though the book vividly describes
“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17 ESV). John wrote the book of Revelation to believers who were suffering for their faith, recording visions that the risen
“And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem” (Micah 4:8 ESV). The prophet Micah wrote to the people of Judah during a time of moral decline and looming judgment, yet he spoke with hope
“Then the LORD said, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’” (Jonah 4:4 ESV). Jonah, a Hebrew prophet sent by the LORD to warn the people of Nineveh, recorded that when God chose to relent and show mercy, he became deeply displeased and angry. Yet instead of rebuking Jonah harshly, the LORD met him
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head” (Obadiah 1:15 ESV). Obadiah, a prophet whose name meant “servant of the LORD,” wrote to announce God’s judgment against Edom and to instruct and comfort
“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8 ESV) The apostle John recorded Christ’s message to the church in Philadelphia,
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24 ESV). The prophet Amos proclaimed these words to the northern kingdom of Israel, a people busy with religious festivals yet careless about the daily obedience God required. Their worship had become hypocritical because it was disconnected from covenant faithfulness. Amos