Prophets: Major and Minor - Lecture #5

Welcome and Introduction to OT 331 Profits

Opening Remarks

• The speaker expresses hope that the audience is well and wishes blessings for their lives and families.

• The speaker shares a personal health update, mentioning a sore throat but remains optimistic about God's presence in daily life.

Importance of Prayer

• Emphasizes the significance of starting each day with prayer rather than immediately reaching for a phone.

• Encourages sincere communication with God, likening it to conversing with a best friend.

Family Dynamics and Language Learning

Personal Anecdote

• The speaker discusses having his mother-in-law visiting from Brazil, which encourages his children to speak Portuguese more often.

• Highlights the bilingual environment at home where children are encouraged to practice both Portuguese and English.

Benefits of Bilingualism

• Notes that being bilingual can facilitate learning additional languages in the future.

• Expresses longing for Brazil, sharing nostalgia for its culture and food.

Relationship with God

Desire for Spiritual Growth

• The speaker aims not just to impart knowledge about biblical prophets but also to inspire a deeper relationship with God.

• Quotes that prayer is essential for spiritual strength, comparing it to breathing.

Inspirational Quote on Prayer

• Shares a quote by John Bunyan: "In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart."

• Reiterates the importance of sincerity in prayer over mere verbal expression.

Closing Prayer

Final Thoughts

• Concludes with a heartfelt prayer asking for guidance during the lecture and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to teach.

Introduction to the Prophets

Overview of Minor Prophets

• The discussion focuses on two minor prophets: Amos and Obadiah. There are four major prophets and twelve minor prophets in total.

Significance of Amos

• The name "Amos" translates to "burden bearer," indicating a role of carrying significant weight or responsibility. This sets the tone for the themes explored in his book.

God's Judgment on Neighboring Nations

Context of Divine Punishment

• In the early chapters, God punishes neighboring nations around Israel for their cruelty towards their own people, highlighting a theme of justice.

Atrocities Committed by Nations

• These nations engaged in severe injustices, such as enslaving fellow citizens and disrespecting war protocols, including desecrating royal bodies after battles.

Israel's Indignation vs. Their Own Actions

Israel's Reaction to Neighboring Nations

• Israel is outraged by the atrocities committed by surrounding nations but fails to recognize that they are committing similar or worse acts themselves. This hypocrisy is central to Amos' message.

God's Justice Applied Equally

• God's justice applies equally; if He punishes other nations for their sins, He will not spare Israel and Judah from punishment for their comparable transgressions. This emphasizes God's impartiality in judgment.

The Consequences of Sin

No Exemption for God’s Chosen People

• Being chosen as God's people does not exempt Israel and Judah from consequences; they too must face judgment for their actions against divine commandments.

Call to Accountability

• Amos proclaims that both kingdoms must be held accountable for breaking God’s laws, serving as a warning about moral integrity and leadership responsibilities among believers.

Specific Sins Leading to Judgment

Transgressions Identified

• In Amos 2:4–6, specific sins are outlined: rejecting God's law, selling the righteous into slavery, exploiting the poor, and engaging in immoral practices that profane God’s name—actions leading directly to divine retribution.

Relevance of Ancient Text Today

Timelessness of Biblical Lessons

• The speaker emphasizes that lessons from ancient texts remain relevant today; human nature has not changed over time, making these teachings applicable across generations.

Misconceptions About Believers

• Many non-believers form negative perceptions about God based on the actions of those who claim faith; this highlights the importance of living out one's beliefs authentically as representatives of divine principles.

Understanding the Misrepresentation of God

The Impact of Poor Examples on Faith

• The misconceptions about God often stem from those who claim to know Him but fail to represent His character accurately. This misrepresentation leads others to reject faith.

• Many individuals distance themselves from God due to the negative examples set by self-proclaimed believers, highlighting a disconnect between Christian behavior and Christ's teachings.

• Christians frequently criticize others for their wrongdoings while engaging in similar or worse behaviors, which can drive people away from God rather than draw them closer.

The Danger of Complacency in Faith

• There is a flawed belief among Christians that mere attendance at church and participation in rituals guarantees salvation, neglecting the need for genuine faith and action.

• A critical question arises: Who is worse—those who know the truth yet do not live it, or those who act according to their understanding without knowledge of the truth?

Hypocrisy and Its Consequences

• Israel's criticism of other nations for immoral actions while engaging in similar practices reflects a hypocritical mindset that undermines their witness as God's chosen people.

• The perception that being part of the church equates to righteousness is misleading; God's judgment will focus on true adherence to His commandments rather than outward appearances.

Call for Authenticity in Worship

• Mahatma Gandhi's quote emphasizes the disparity between Christ’s teachings and how many Christians live, urging believers to reflect Christ’s character genuinely.

• Being a Christian means following Christ closely; it requires living out His example through actions and words rather than merely identifying with a label.

God's Patience and Warning Before Judgment

• Throughout history, when God's people stray from Him, He raises prophets to guide them back. This illustrates His desire for repentance before punishment.

• During prosperous times, Israel engaged in superficial worship while neglecting social justice. True worship must come from the heart rather than be merely external rituals.

The Importance of Genuine Repentance

• Despite outward displays of piety, Israel failed to care for the needy. Their hypocrisy rendered their worship meaningless in God's eyes.

• Before enacting judgment, God consistently sends warnings through prophets. He desires change and repentance over destruction.

By examining these themes within this transcript segment, we gain insight into how personal conduct affects collective faith perceptions and highlights the necessity for authenticity in spiritual practice.

God's Desire for Repentance

The Role of Prophets in Israel and Judah

• God does not wish for anyone to perish, including the wicked. He sends prophet after prophet to Israel and Judah.

• Instead of heeding these divine messages, Israel rejects them and even kills the prophets, showing a refusal to change despite warnings.

Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem

• Jesus expresses sorrow over Jerusalem, lamenting how often He wished to protect them but was met with rejection and violence against His messengers.

• This theme reflects the central message of the Book of Amos regarding disobedience and consequences.

Introduction to Obadiah

Overview of the Book of Obadiah

• The Book of Obadiah is brief, consisting of only one chapter with 21 verses.

• It is essential to understand historical context before delving into Obadiah’s prophecies.

Historical Context from Genesis

• Understanding past events is crucial; those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The Story of Abraham and Isaac

God's Promise to Abraham

• In Genesis, God promises Abraham and his wife Sarah that they will have numerous descendants despite their old age and Sarah's barrenness.

Birth of Isaac

• At ages 100 and 90 respectively, Abraham and Sarah finally have a son named Isaac. This fulfills God's promise about their lineage.

Isaac's Family Dynamics

Rebekah's Pregnancy

• Isaac marries Rebekah, who also struggles with infertility but eventually becomes pregnant with twins.

Conflict Between Twins

• God reveals that two nations are within Rebekah’s womb: one will be stronger than the other, foreshadowing future conflict between their descendants.

Rivalry Between Esau and Jacob

Birth Order Significance

• The first twin born is Esau (also known as Edom), followed by Jacob (who later becomes Israel). Their names signify future roles in biblical history.

Familial Favoritism

• As they grow up, favoritism develops: Isaac favors Esau while Rebekah favors Jacob. This sets the stage for rivalry.

The Deception for Blessing

The Primogeniture Blessing

• As Isaac nears death, he intends to bestow a special blessing on Esau. However, Rebekah devises a plan for Jacob to receive this blessing instead.

Consequences of Deception

• Jacob deceives his father by disguising himself as Esau. When Esau learns what happened, he vows revenge against Jacob. This rivalry continues into Obadiah’s time.

Obadiah's Prophecy Against Edom

The Reason for Judgment

• Obadiah is prophesying against Edom due to their actions during the destruction of Judah, highlighting God's judgment specifically aimed at them.

• The text emphasizes that Edom should not have rejoiced over the misfortunes of Judah, nor acted arrogantly during their time of distress.

Actions of Edomites

• The Edomites are condemned for entering Judah's territory and taking advantage of their calamity by stealing from them.

• They waited in ambush to kill fleeing Jews instead of helping them escape, showcasing their betrayal and cruelty.

Consequences and Divine Awareness

• God sees all actions, and nothing can be hidden from Him; thus, punishment will come for wrongdoing. This serves as a reminder that divine justice is inevitable.

• Despite the destruction faced by Judah, God promises eventual restoration for His people, indicating hope amidst judgment.

Historical Context

• The Book of Obadiah was likely written around 587–586 BC and consists of only one chapter with 21 verses focused on condemning Edom's prideful sins against Israel.

• The longstanding conflict between the descendants of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel) has persisted for over a millennium, illustrating how small disputes can escalate into generational enmity.

Divine Warnings

• God consistently warns individuals when they stray from righteousness through various means such as sermons or personal reflection; ignoring these warnings leads to a withdrawal of divine blessings.

Reflection on Teaching and Spiritual Growth

Importance of Relationship with God

• The speaker emphasizes the privilege of being a teacher and expresses uncertainty about future opportunities to communicate with students, highlighting the importance of improving one's relationship with God.

• It is noted that walking closely with God requires sincerity from the heart, as human nature tends to distance itself from God due to sin. The speaker encourages working towards a transformation of the heart.

Daily Practices for Spiritual Connection

• The speaker advises starting each day with prayer before opening the Bible, suggesting that individuals should present their daily plans to God for blessings over their lives and families.

• A prayer is offered, expressing gratitude for God's word and asking for guidance in helping students grow closer to Him. The speaker wishes for students to have a desire for spiritual growth.