Book of Hosea bible study

            Hosea, the first of the minor prophets was given a duty to sternly rebuke Israel for falling away from God, her (and our) creator in idolatry and other wickedness, pronouncing the judgments to come against her in places but most of all encouraging her repentance and return to God. Mercy is promised towards Judah. From commentaries this was written before either kingdom was exiled but mainly done to encourage and exhort repentance, as stated above

In chapter 1 of Hosea, Hosea is told to take a wife of whoredom and have children whom God names and then used to prophecy judgment against Israel for her evils but mercy is promised towards Judah

(Hosea 1:1)  The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

(Hosea 1:2)  When the...

                                                Book of Joel bible study

            Here is the prophecy of Joel, a book of three chapters but a powerful one likely coming after Israel was carried captive but before Judah was, according to commentary. It speaks of the judgment of God on the land but also gives hope too, but warns against the day of the Lord as well. The book also encourages people to repent and prepare their hearts and promises an outpouring of the spirit and even end times prophecies like the blood moon and other signs with the sun, moon and stars which would again be prophesied by Jesus and in the book of Revelation.

In Joel chapter 1 the plague of locusts is spoken which devours all and mourning is encouraged because of the locust plague, and warns prophetically that the day of the Lord is near

(Joel 1:1)  The word of the LORD that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:

(Joel 1:2)  Hear this, you elders; give ear, all...

                                                Book of Amos bible study

Here is a bible study on the prophet Amos and his writings which cover a nine chapter book in the bible. Amos is used by God to prophesy judgment against more than one nation/people group for their wrong doings, detailing to a degree what will happen throughout, and encouraging repentance from people.

In chapter 1 then of Amos, Amos prophesies judgment and destruction on various places like Damascus, Gaza and others for their wrongs

(Amos 1:1)  The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

(Amos 1:2)  And he said: "The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers."

(Amos 1:3)  Thus says the LORD:...

                                                Book of Obadiah bible study

            Here is a bible study on the brief book of Obadiah, a one chapter affair with 21 verses. It is the shortest book of the old testament and one of the shortest of the bible. In fact only the epistles of 2 and 3 John have fewer verses than the book of Obadiah. Despite its brevity the book has a powerful message of prophecy concerning the destruction and the judgment coming on Edom, because of the sins that they have committed against God. At the end it also speaks of the restoration of Israel and its people, after judging them as well, so the book also shows the mercy of God as well as His justice against evil doers.

(Obadiah 1:1)  The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: "Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!"

(Obadiah 1:2)  Behold, I will...

                                                Book of Micah bible study

            Here is a bible study of the seven chapters of the book of Micah which was written just before Israel’s captivity- the Assyrian conquest of Israel. Micah prophesied up into Hezekiah’s reign, but also during the evil kings before him, too. Micah is like many of the other prophets because he like they again rebukes Israel and Judah’s evil ways and doings including idolatry, rip off like unequal balances and all the other evils that they did, prophesying judgment against them but promising judgment but also promising and prophesying that a remnant of Israel/Judah will come out of this judgment (and captivity) who will be blessed by God. Micah in his book also encourages people to repent of their various wrongs and to do right.

In chapter 1 of Micah the Lord plans to visit and judge the transgressions of both Israel and Judah bringing destructions but also bringing down all of...

                                    Book of Nahum bible study

            Here the book of Nahum is again a prophecy against the city of Nineveh, like that of Jonah. This was written well after the prophecy Jonah during which Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching. It seems as if the people of Nineveh had backslid and were as evil as ever, it wasd as if they never had repented, and this time the prophet Nahum is sent to prophesy the coming judgment which would be carried out by the Babylonian empire. He also made prophecies of the restoration of Israel/Judah from Assyrian captivity, as well (if not Babylonian) I am including a link to the bible study of Jonah in case you want to do that book before going on to this bible study, for comparison and contrast because both books deal with Nineveh, but at different times and by different prophets