This fall I’ve been reading through the minor prophets with a group of ladies from church, and we’re learning such rich lessons. This is a section of the Bible that I haven’t read extensively, and I find myself continually surprised at the depth found here. I was particularly struck one week when our readings were from Obadiah, Nahum, and Jonah back-to-back. There were several times throughout the 3 books that I was reminded of the series from the Bible Project on “one of the most quoted passages of the Bible.” The words and phrases from Exodus 34:6-7 where God describes his own character are also all over the minor prophets:
Compassionate
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abounding in faithful love
Abounding in truth/faithfulness
Shows lovingkindness for generations
Forgives iniquity
Does not leave the guilty unpunished
I’m amazed at how this compact little description of the balance of God’s compassion and justice from Exodus is picked up and fleshed out all throughout the words of the prophets. The recurring theme is that the people have turned their backs on God and have embraced idolatry and injustice. They have broken the covenant and betrayed their relationship with God. The prophets are bringing a message imploring them to turn back and remember that the God they serve is slow to anger but also will not leave the guilty unpunished.
Some of the promised justice that is proclaimed by the prophets sounds brutal and disturbing, but every time there is also some promise of hope. God has not given up on them. Again and again the message is given that God is trustworthy, even when we don’t understand our circumstances. Habakkuk especially is a beautiful picture of wrestling with situations where God’s justice seems unjust. Despite his own lack of understanding, the prophet declares, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Reading these ancient words gives me strength to face the uncertainties of today’s world. God was faithful to the people in the wilderness, those facing exile, and those under Roman tyranny. It’s comforting to know that the character of God endures throughout generations–from Exodus to Habakkuk, from the Gospels to the Revelation. The same God who was faithful during the time of the prophets is still faithful to us today.
Thanks for this. It is comforting isn’t it?