December 10, 2015
Perhaps it is the shortest sermon in the Bible, but it might also be the most effective: “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Only five words in Hebrew, it is terse, and it also appears rather unenthusiastic. It appears in Jonah more like a wish-announcement rather than one delivered with evangelistic fervor. But […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Faith, Jonah, Jonah 3:3-6, Mercy, Nations, Nineveh, Repentance, Uncovenanted Mercies |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
September 9, 2013
The small-town prophet receives a big-time message from Yahweh. Micah announces that Yahweh is coming to Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom Israel. This, however, is about more than Israel. It is Yahweh’s witness against the nations even though it is the nations who devastate Israel. The opening address functions as a lawsuit where […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Assyria, Idolatry, Israel, Judah, Micah, Micah 1:2-7, Nations |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 16, 2013
Amos continues his prophetic word against the sins of the nations in Amos 1:11-2:3. He first addressed Damascus, Gaza and Tyre (Amos 1:3-10) which lie to the north and southwest of Israel and Judah. Now he addresses Edom, Ammon and Moab which lie to the east and southeast of Israel and Judah. The pattern of […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Ammon, Amos, Edom, Ethics, justice, Moab, Nations, Violence |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 9, 2013
International ethics are important to Amos. He condemns violent aggression (perhaps even torture and wanton killing), enslavement of populations, and the slave trade. The oracles against the nations are intricately structured. They each follow the same rhetorical pattern. Address: “The Lord Says” Proverb: “Because of the three transgressions of … and because of four, I […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, Amos 1:3-5, Amos 1:6-8, Amos 1:9-10, Ethics, Nations, Violence |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
June 29, 2012
Haggai’s fourth oracle comes on the same day as his third, that is, the day on which the foundation of the temple is laid. As Judah gathered to celebrate the occasion (cf. Ezra 3:10-13), Haggai addressed first the priests and people (2:10-19) and now he specifically addresses Zerubabel who is the governor of Judah (2:20-23). […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: David, Haggai 2:20-23, Kingdom, Nations, Peace, Prophets, Throne, War |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks