Historical Background of the Book of Micah

The Hebrew name for the Book of Micah is “Micah” (מיכה / Mikhah), and it is the sixth book among the Book of the Twelve Prophets. In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, the Book of Micah is placed after the Book of Jonah, not purely for chronological reasons, but because of the message the Holy […]

The Miracle of Resurrection

In the Old Testament, God used many different prophecies and foreshadowings to help people understand the coming Christ and the salvation He would accomplish. But can we also grasp Christ’s redemption and God’s love through a runaway prophet? This is truly miraculous. God doesn’t only use those who are absolutely holy and flawless; He also […]

Background and Author Introduction to the Book of Jonah

The Hebrew name for the Book of Jonah is “Jonah” (יונה / Yonah), and it is the fifth book among the Book of the Twelve Prophets (תרי עשר / Trei Asar). Tradition holds that the author of the Book of Jonah is the prophet Jonah from the Northern Kingdom, whose name means “dove.” Jonah was […]

The Ancient City of Sela (Petra)

Israel’s neighbor, Edom, had two important cities: Bozrah and Sela. Sela is an ancient ruined city in Jordan, built into cliffs, located about 250 kilometers south of Amman. It’s hidden within a narrow canyon on the eastern side of the Arabah Valley. Petra is situated at a crossroads of the Middle East, where routes from […]

Background of the Book of Obadiah

The Book of Obadiah (Hebrew: עֹבַדְיָה) is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible, consisting of only 21 verses. It is the fourth book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets. Obadiah’s birth, birthplace, tribe, and life story are all unknown. Clearly, the message itself is what’s important, not the prophet. Obadiah was the earliest […]

Amos’s Prophecies and Their Fulfillment

Amos began his prophecies with the consistent phrase “Thus says the LORD,” declaring God’s judgment upon Israel and seven of its neighboring nations for their repeated transgressions, stating, “for three transgressions and for four, I will not revoke the punishment.” Damascus: [Amos 1:3-5] “Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, […]

The Prophet Amos

The name “Amos” means “burden” or “burden-bearer.” His ministry took place during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah (c. 791-740 BC) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (c. 793-753 BC), “two years before the earthquake,” around 760 BC. This corresponds to the early Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) in China. Contemporary prophets serving […]

Background of the Book of Amos

The Book of Amos is the third book of the twelve Minor Prophets. Its author is the prophet Amos from the Southern Kingdom. He was an ordinary shepherd and fig-grower from the south, with no prominent background, yet he was sent by God to declare judgment to the Northern Kingdom (Amos 7:14-15). During the reign […]

Introduction to the Book of Joel

The Book of Joel is the second book of the Book of the Twelve Prophets. Its writing date is uncertain. The author is the Southern Kingdom prophet Joel, whose name means “The LORD is God.” His name appears only once in the Old Testament. In Acts chapter 2, the Apostle Peter quotes his prophecy about […]

Threshing and Plowing

[Hosea 10:11] “Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck; I will make Ephraim pull the plow [or be ridden]. Judah shall plow; Jacob shall break the fallow ground.” “Threshing” was the ancient method of separating grain from husks. Farmers would spread harvested grain […]