PROPHET ZECHARIAH

His heart was heavy and his shoulders strained as if he were carrying a large sack filled with rocks. Prophet Zechariah felt inadequate for the many revelations and signs he carried for Yahweh. God had begun to reveal beyond Zechariah’s immediate concern which was the temple rebuilding climaxing towards the glorious future of Jerusalem. Indeed, the prophet had again placed his hope on Jerusalem where the remnants returned with a dazed vision. He would agree with his contemporary, Prophet Haggai, that the temple would be the first present vital sign of the restoration of the Israelites after seventy years in captivity. The people needed to see the temple rebuilt albeit one brick at a time. And repair their broken dreams, one vision at a time.

"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you. The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem,” the prophet heard the declaration of God. Those words made a deep impact on Zechariah and much relieved him of the uncertainty of the times. The man of God understood that even the earth was under God’s palm let alone Jerusalem. When Zechariah and the remnant saw ruins and deep seated problems facing Jerusalem, God saw fit to raise the city to its ultimate stature. The prophet was delighted at the anointing of both Joshua the high priest and Zerubabbel, the governor. He knew that the cleansing of Joshua and the empowerment of Zerubabbel would set the stage for a revival in the city of God. God would be back with a bang! And Zechariah knelt and praised God as soon as he heard those words from the LORD Almighty, "Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me, so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.”

The prophet smiled as he witnessed the blessings of God not only in the rebuilding of the temple but in every area of the life of the remnant. He felt so flattered when the soothing voice of God came, “I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.” Yet in all those things, Zechariah’s mind would wander beyond his time as far as God’s prophecies could carry him. He had the privilege to preview the gentle Messiah sitting on a lowly donkey yet his rule would encompass the whole earth, from the Rivers to the ends of the earth. His people would be set free and become strong but only through the blood of the covenant.

The excitement got hold of the prophet as he could sense his adrenalin rushed through his entire body like being shaken by an earthquake. Not only was Zechariah so touched by God’s mercy, he was completely mesmerised by the vision for this nation. Yes, nations might try to fight and take control of Jerusalem but the grip of God would be too strong for them to pry open. In fact, God revealed to Zechariah the final day when nations would be defeated at the hands of the God-empowered Israelites. “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem,” the LORD thundered. And Jerusalem would become the dwelling place of the Messiah, ruling with absolute righteousness and holiness.

Zechariah stood at the entrance of the temple building, almost completed and there he remembered the prophecy of Yahweh, "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him. In those days, ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'"

“Yes and Amen,” he cried with joy!

What would Prophet Zechariah say to us if he were still alive today?

1. Your future in God is fully secure.
2. Let us not despise small beginnings as God can multiply them a hundred fold.
3. When God is for you, who can be against you.
4. The Messiah is not only a Saviour but King of all kings, Ruler of the Universe.
5. Jerusalem will ultimately be the Ruling Center for Jesus Christ, King of all kings!

Next: Prophet Malachi
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/02/prophet-malachi.html

PROPHET HAGGAI

The abandoned construction of the temple stood like a sore thumb. The whole surrounding area covered with thick weeds, and shrubs protruding everywhere. Yet, the returning remnants had returned to normalcy in life, their hearts far removed from the vision set forth by Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah who led the exiles back to their homeland. Prophet Haggai knelt there speechless at the place where once the great Temple of Solomon stood. Tears began to drop freely as he witnessed the eroding faith of the remnants where God had put his hope on. In the still of the evening, God spoke, “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.’”

The prophet knew that only the reconstructed temple could reinstate their former aspiration to be a great nation under the Mighty Yahweh. Haggai had not forgotten the promised made to Abraham and to David. But the remnants in Jerusalem had to do a lot of ‘de-babylonizing’ to gear up. Some had chosen to stay in Babylon as they were thriving commercially. Those returnees were reluctant to see the importance of the place of worship over their livelihood. Furthermore, there had been some hostile opposition to the rebuilding.

Prophet Haggai gathered the people and pleaded with them. He knew this could be a do or die situation, nationally or spiritually. With tears in his eyes, he pleaded, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"

The prophet spoke sternly the Word of God, "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

The rebuke woke them up. Finally they knew why they could only survive and not thrive in their own land. The voice of the prophet was heeded. The leaders of the remnant, Zerubbabel, the governor and Joshua, the high priest renewed their commitment to lead the people to rebuild the temple. Prophet Haggai jumped with joy at the rejuvenated people and cried loudly God’s Word, “Yahweh declares, ‘I am with you.’”

As they zealously built the temple, God knew the hearts of the people, especially those who had seen the previous glorious temple before it was destroyed. God saw through those tears and heartbrokenness and said through his servant Haggai, “Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house. And in this place I will grant peace!”

Their work in this rebuilding must not be seen as insignificant! Nothing that was done for God’s glory would be wasted and be treated as trivial! The people might be building a smaller temple but God was able to ‘mightify’ it! Even the Messiah, the desired of all nations would one day step into this temple!

Haggai once again visited the temple in its vibrant rebuilding, looked up to the skies and smiled widely. He had made an appointment with Zerubbabel to meet him there. When both of these great men met, they embraced.

“God said, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. On that day I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.’" Prophet Haggai whispered to the Governor, a descendant of King David himself.

What would Prophet Haggai say to us if he were still alive today?

1. Be careful of losing the essential things (God, church, ministry) by focusing on the urgent (material things).
2. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.
3. Do not see whatever we do for God as insignificant as God has the power to multiply a hundred fold.
4. Do not only have initiative but also ‘finishtiative’!
5. God would never forget His promises!

Next: Prophet Zechariah
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/01/prophet-zechariah.html

PROPHET OBADIAH

Flashes of visions whizzed through Prophet Obadiah’s mind as he stood praying for the remnants of Israelites to be spared from further agony. The downfall of Jerusalem had severely dented the faith of most as they sat there in a foreign land. For some remnants, especially prophets, there remained a great hope amidst dreaded despair as they pondered deeply of Yahweh’s next move. Their God had never left his throne a single time and his grip on nations had not slipped an inch.

Sadness filled Obadiah’s heart as the word, ‘Edom’ appeared over and over again in the vision. “Isn’t Edom a close brother of Jacob? Isn’t he a kinsman? How could they do such a heinous thing to their brothers?” Prophet Obadiah questioned God’s Word in his heart. Immediately, he remembered ancient Cain’s ominous answer to God’s rhetorical question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The historical feud between Jacob and Esau was well known. Since that fateful day when the birthright of Esau as the eldest son was ‘stolen’ by Jacob when he deceived their father, Isaac, the anger of Esau’s descendants never subsided. (Read my take on the issue at my other post on Isaac – under Bible Actors’ Series) Sometimes the minds of men could create a bondage that would last for a long long time.

“You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their disaster,” prophet Obadiah cried out the words of God. At their fortress on the solid rocks of Petra, the Edomites laughed and scoffed as the Israelites were slaughtered and exiled. They even made sure no one escape Babylonians’ murderous rampage by capturing and handing over the survivors. The prophet wept as anger rose from within him. “How could brothers turn against their own households and ally themselves with the enemy in the time of destruction?” he shook his head in disbelief.

As Obadiah knelt in agony, the word of God came like a healing balm.

“The house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; the house of Esau will be stubble, and they will set it on fire and consume it. There will be no survivors from the house of Esau." The LORD has spoken. People from the Negev will occupy the mountains of Esau, and people from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead. This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev. Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau.”

Edom would not escape God’s judgment even though they thought they were invincible, lodged on the high mountains. They wished of Israel’s demise so that they could win the ancient war of taking back the birthright of Esau. Yet, the plan of God was set right from the beginning, that no one that cursed Israel would be blessed. Instead, a curse of destruction was awaiting all those who turned against Israel with an ominous reason.

The prophet stood up, looked up to the skies and proclaimed, “And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.”

What would Prophet Obadiah say to us if he were to be alive today?

1. We ARE our brothers’ (sisters’) keepers!
2. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
3. Our mind can play havoc to our spiritual life if we do not let God and His Word take captive of it.
4. Israel may lose some battles but it will never lose the war!
5. No one can hide from God’s judgment. He can reach the highest mountain and the deepest oceans.

Next: Prophet Haggai
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html

THE FALL OF THE DOLLAR AND THE RISE OF EUROPE!

LATEST: European Union foreign ministers agreed on Tuesday that Jerusalem should be the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state, as part of a negotiated settlement, E.U. diplomats said. - 8th December 2009!

There had not been so much coordinated attacks on the US dollar as in recent times. Russia, China, Middle Eastern countries and even United Nation itself have recently voiced out on the dominance of the Greenback. Some countries are hard pressed to find ways to steer away from its dominance as their international reserves are in Dollar, afraid that one day it may just collapse. On the other hand, nations like Iran, Venezuela and some Muslim majority states want to see the demise of the Dollar because they didn’t like the United States and want to see its power diminished. Today, USA is still the only superpower nation of the world and through the eyes of the world, it is not being highly esteemed. In fact, if not because of the Church with its righteous people and the strong leadership today, the United States will quickly implode. Immorality, out of control of guns and narcotics, dysfunctional families and not to say the thriving population of gays and lesbians have all been the contribution factors for the eventual fall of its hegemony of the world.

That fall will occur for another to rise as predicted by the Bible. The “feet and toes” of the vision of Daniel speaks about the last world empire before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Daniel 2). It will be the ‘last leg’ of the earth’s kingdom before the fulfilment of the prophecy, “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). The fourth kingdom depicted in the Daniel’s statue prophecy represented by the Roman Empire which set up a powerful dominant force all across the known civilization. And when Prophet Daniel interpreted the toes, he aligned it with the feet signifying a revived Roman Empire, a dream today similar to a single Europe confederation.

Although Rome had lost all its glory but there remained a desire to colonise and dominate in the form of a united Europe. Recently, every nation in the European Union states had signed up for the establishment of the European Constitution, a treaty for Europe to take another giant step into becoming a single entity. The progressive revelation of God to Daniel revealed the fourth beast in another vision (Dan. 7), speaks more vividly of the last kingdom, a coordinated nations, partly of iron and partly of clay that was prophesied earlier. Ten toes or ten horns in Daniel chapter 7, don’t necessarily speak of numerically 10 nations but a complete number of countries coming together. Some countries will obviously be weaker than others and there will be infighting amongst the nations. The revived single Europe will rise to take control over the world’s economy as the Dollar falls. As expected, the nation which takes over the economy today takes control of the world.

"While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully” (Dan. 7:8).
As predicted, a man will rise up from the Revived Roman Empire, the rise of the Anti Christ and Paul called him, “The Lawless One”.

"And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness" (2 Thess. 2:8-11).

Paul knew about the power of the words spoken by the Anti Christ as also John, who wrote in the Book of Revelation, a conqueror, riding on the white horse with bow without arrows. The conquest will be accomplished by him with eloquent words and will deceive multitudes. Eventually, he will brutally wage war against the weaker nations, trying to take control. The Anti Christ will try to win over many hearts by solving the most contentious crisis ever on the face of the earth, the Israel and Palestinian issue. The ultimate fight is not so much about the Palestinians or Israelies but about Jerusalem. If anyone wants to know the greatest sign of the Second Coming of Jesus, it will be Jerusalem!

However, when Jesus Christ comes, the Lawless One shall be overthrown and God’s truths will reign, like the water covers the seas. The lies of the Anti Christ shall crumble like dominoes when the Word of God comes! The kingdom of Christ will take over the earth and righteousness will once again thrive!

We are on the verge of seeing the coming last kingdom prophesied by Daniel as a united Europe will flap its powerful wings, flying high in the world, only to be brought down by the next kingdom, the Kingdom of God and of Christ!

What can Christians do before the time of the end?

1. Christians must live a simple life.

2. Christians must stand firm for what they believe in.

3. Christians must share the Gospel so that more souls can be spared from the Great Tribulation or the Abomination of the Desolation decreed by God in His Word.

PROPHET DANIEL

Angel Gabriel descended gracefully towards Prophet Daniel as he knelt with his hands lifted towards Jerusalem. The prophet’s face was still moist with tears of repentance. “As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed,” the heavenly visitor spoke.

It was a moment of intense grieving for many Israelites who were exiled by the Babylonians. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. By the river of Babylon they would sit and cry. Yet even amongst the exile, many still rebelled against God’s Word to submit to chastisement. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel were voices of God that often went unheeded. But Daniel understood Jeremiah’s 70-year exile message and he knew that God alone would have the final say. Instead of rising to complain, Daniel went down on his knees. God often revealed his plans to those who sought him earnestly and Daniel knew the secret to God’s secrets: prayer.

From day one when he became the first group to be taken to Babylon, Daniel kept his faith in Yahweh intact. The idolatrous and gluttonous cultures of the day were perpetually shunned by him and some of his Israelite friends. And as he continued to surrender to God, Daniel rose to great prominence in the palace of the king. Magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers all were not in his league when God empowered Daniel. Even King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon turned to Daniel for counsel! What a transformation, from an exile to being an advisor of the palace!

Prophet Daniel's adventurous life continued to rumble the Babylonians. Yet, he never kept any glory for himself but always lifted up the name of Yahweh! Daniel’s dream was to let the nations know that his God was in control and always would be. Nothing could stop Daniel from realising his dream, no furnace of fire, and no lions!

The solid character of Daniel made him the perfect choice to more of God’s visions and the revealing of the future. Never in a time had God revealed so much to a single prophet with such clear predictions of future happenings in the world. Daniel was privileged to view future kingdoms of Persia and Medes, Greece, Romans and also the last coordinated world kingdoms. In fact, the prophet even saw the eternal kingdom of God triumphed over the kingdoms of the world! He saw God's Messiah set forth his everlasting kingdom!

Daniel proclaimed victoriously, "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed”.

Overwhelmed with such intensity of those prophecies, Daniel was understandably perplexed. Although God would ultimately triumph, it would not be without bloodshed and destruction of many people. An abomination of desolation, a great tribulation had been pronounced in Jerusalem before the finest hour of the Messiah! However, on that day, deliverance would come to all righteous believers!

God declared, "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered.”

Daniel could not understand everything that he prophesied because it concerned the end of time. But God left words for all who were willing to listen and obey, “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.”

Finally, God gave a final assurance for all righteous people, especially for his beloved prophet, "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."

What would Prophet Daniel say to us if he were to be alive today?

1. Prayer works! God answers prayers!
2. No matter how difficult or dangerous circumstances may be, keep your faith in God and you will be rewarded.
3. Our God controls the nations today, tomorrow and the end of time!
4. The righteous can rest secure even when the world falls into absolute turmoil.
5. The eternal inheritance in heaven is waiting for all who serve God and giving Him glory on the earth.

Next: Prophet Obadiah
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html

PROPHET EZEKIEL

“The city has fallen! The city has fallen!” a cry rang out eerily from a desperate and broken man. The messenger who had seen the carnage and massacre in Jerusalem garnered whatever strength that was left in him to proclaim to his hearers, the first remnants of Israelites taken by the Babylonians.

The news had become the darkest hour in Israel’s history. The walls of Jerusalem crumbled beyond recognition. What was more horrifying to the chosen nation was the destruction of the temple of God, built by the mighty King Solomon. Many of those heard went away in disbelief but not Prophet Ezekiel, who was amongst those taken away from a losing war with the Babylonians. In fact God had shown him this day before it even happened.

Prophet Ezekiel was called to be a prophet in a world filled with international upheavals. The rise of the Babylonians had caused many countries in the region to tremble especially powers like Egypt, Syria and Judah. Many of these countries fell like dominoes when ruthless Babylon wielded their swords against them. When Israel was finally subdued, only some righteous ones knew that it was Yahweh who made it happen. Not because the Babylonians were invincible but the blatant sins of Judah had caused its own downfall.

Before the shock devastation, God had transported his prophet Ezekiel to witness many treacherous scheming and wicked deeds being performed by so called chosen ones without an ounce of remorse. Such audacity of wantonness was unthinkable to the mind of any righteous man or woman, let alone a prophet priest like Ezekiel. God always showed his close ones the secret why he did what he had to do! And Ezekiel understood perfectly! The prophet even witnessed the departing of the glory of God from the temple, signifying the end of God’s presence with the rebellious people!

When God’s glory departed, his judgment fire would follow. Yet, when they heard of the consuming fire of God being prophesied, they laughed it away as ridiculous! Ezekiel complained, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! They are saying of me, 'Isn't he just telling parables?'" The prophet knew of their heart of stone when Yahweh spoke, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to the land of Israel: The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.”

The despair could be seen in Ezekiel’s face! If God did not stop the fire, it could destroy his people completely. The most heart breaking moment came when God uttered these words to his prophet, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found NONE.” Not even one! The judgement of God was obviously justified.

Yet with all the doom and gloom Ezekiel saw and heard, God sprinkled hope upon the weary prophet like a refreshing shower! The soothing Word came forth from the throne room of God’s amazing grace, "'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.” Surely Ezekiel would have heard of the remnant theology but coming out personally from above was exhilarating. More than that, God made sure Ezekiel got a rock solid assurance when he showed the prophet a vision of the dry bones being brought back to life, piece by piece and ultimately through the breath of God! God as usual, remembered the promised made to Abraham although his people forgot.

“I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms,” the all compassionate Yahweh declared! One nation, one King, one God! On that day, when God restored Jerusalem under his awesome power, no nation could stand against it!

As a prophet from a priestly line, Ezekiel would invariably be burdened with worship and secretly yearning for a temple. Then he got more than he asked for. Instead of showing him the vision of the rebuilding of the temple after the 70-year exile, God bypassed it and showed him the millennium temple where the Messiah, the son of David, began his rule! (See my article on another blog post - Will the third Jewish temple be built?)

What would Prophet Ezekiel say to us if he were still alive today?

1. God’s judgment will never be unjust for God is a just God!
2. Submission to God leads us to a great future with God.
3. Do not let the world’s wickedness alarm you and keep you away from God for He is still in control!
4. Stand in the gap for unsaved men and women today and keep them from the fire of judgment that is to come.
5. Nothing is impossible for God! What is seemingly dead can be revived if God so desires!

Next: Prophet Daniel
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2009/11/prophet-daniel.html

PROPHET HABAKKUK

"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay,” the soothing voice replied to prophet Habakkuk’s complaints.

God caught the distress signal of his beloved prophet. Yahweh knew exactly how a righteous man would feel after the destruction of Israel, the southern kingdom and the impending doom of the north. Prophet Habakkuk’s heart received a double blow, a complete rebellion from his countrymen and the invading force of idolatrous Babylonians! Like every psalmist would, he vented his frustrations at the God of the Universe, the one who held the earth as his footstool. A vertical release was less dangerous than horizontal ones. To God, anger was part and parcel of the human psych. He was more than able to take the blows of righteous anger and exchange them with comfort of his words.

Habakkuk knelt down as he received God’s words and cried. “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy,” the prophet prayed with an air of confidence. He knew that God had to do what he had to do. God Almighty could stop the advancement of the Babylonians instantly and let Judah escape. That would be counter- productive and improper.

Yes, the gloom and doom were inevitable but Yahweh had a solid future plan! A righteous man or woman needed to wait upon God. A thought came to Habakkuk’s mind, from the words of prophet Isaiah, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Perhaps his contemporary peer, prophet Jeremiah did help with a God-given 70-year time frame of exile. Prophet Habakkuk believed that in the end of everything, the earth would be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters covered the sea. The righteous must live by faith that God would make things right in his own righteous ways!

God gave Habakkuk a clear picture how he would deal a death blow to the Babylonians. After many God-given victories in their conquests, the Babylonians thought that they were superior people and their gods rule supreme. “The cup from the LORD’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory,” the voice of God thundered against Babylon! Habakkuk had to make it plain and simple on tablets, in order for God’s messengers to unmistakably deliver the good news to all!

Then Habakkuk straightened up and burst out singing, “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 Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

What would Prophet Habakkuk say to us if he were to be alive today?

1. Anger is a normal emotion but don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.
2. Let our anger and frustrations be made known to God and let His Word comfort you.
3. Do not be happy or gloat over someone who is facing consequences for his/her actions
4. Let us clearly understand the message of the gospel as we seek urgently to transform lives with it.
5. Let us run the race with faith and not by sight.

Next: Prophet Ezekiel
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2009/11/prophet-ezekiel.html