THE MINOR PROPHETS

Today is Wednesday.  We are having VBS this week, and it has been amazing.  I marvel at the good people of Grand View Baptist Church and how effective and marvelous they do VBS and so many other things as well.  I am just proud to pastor such wonderful people.  Over 450 were at Church last night and it is a joy to see the huge crowds of Children at VBS.  Today, I'm in the Minor Propets and covering Joel, Amos, and Obadiah.  Here are some thoughts:

JOEL- Joel 1:1  "The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel."  WE SEE THE PROBLEM-  Joel 1:4  "That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten."  WE SEE THE SOLUTION- Joel 1:14  "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,"  Joel 2:12-15  "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:  13  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  14  Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?  15  Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:"  WE SEE THE PROMISE- Joel 2:28  "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:"  WE SEE THE DECISION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE- Joel 3:14  "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."

AMOS- Amos 1:1  "The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen 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 7:14-15  "Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:  15  And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel."   THE THEME IS JUDGMENT:  "For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four...." (1:6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6 )  SEEK THE LORD- Amos 5:8  "Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:"  

OBADIAH- Obadiah 1:1  "The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle."  JUDGMENT- Joel 1:1  "The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel."  GOD DEALS WITH THE ARABS-Obadiah 1:18  "And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it."   

Well, this summarizes these three books of the Minor Prophets.  May God bless you!   Pastor Mike Mutchler