Author: Art Davison

THE BOOK OF JOEL- – A SUMMARY

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THE BOOK OF JOEL
A SUMMARY

Introduction:

“Joel, a prophet of Judah, probably exercised his ministry during the reign of Joash (2 Chronicles 22 to 24.). In his youth he may have known Elijah, and he certainly was a contemporary of Elisha. The plagues of insects, which were the token of the divine chastening, give occasion for the unveiling of the coming “day of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:12, refs.), in its two aspects of judgment on the Gentiles and blessing for Israel.” — Scofield.
Author: Joel, a prophet of Judah. Very little is known concerning him, .
Name: Means “Jehovah is God.”
Key Thought: National repentance and its blessings.
Key Phrase: “The day of the Lord,” appears 5 times: Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14 and 31 times in the all of the Scriptures.
The Day of the Lord:
1) A time of Judgments upon the People for their Sins:
a. The plague of locusts, Joel 1:4-9.
b. The severe drought, Joel 1:10-20.
c. The judgment of the locusts and caterpillars, or of those who are designed by them, Joel 2:1-11.
2) The people of the Jews are called to repentance, Joel 2:12-20.
a. Humiliation, and fasting, urged from the grace and goodness of God.
b. His jealousy and pity for His people.
c. The answer of prayer that might be expected from Him upon this, even to the removal of the calamity,
3) A prophecy of good things, both temporal and spiritual, in the times of the Messiah, is delivered out as matter and occasion of great joy, Joel 2:21-27.
4) A prophecy concerning the pouring out of the Spirit, which was fulfilled an the day of Pentecost, Joel 2:28-29.
5) The chapter is concluded with the judgments and desolations that should come upon the land of Judea for their rejection of Christ, though the remnant should be delivered and saved from the general destruction by the Grace of God, Joel 2:30-32.
6) A prophecy of God’s judgments:
a. A prophecy of God’s judgments on all the antichristian nations at the time of the Jews’ conversion, Joel 3:1-3;
b. A threatening of Tyre and Zidon, by way of retaliation, for carrying the riches of the Jews into their temples, and selling their persons to the Greeks, Joel 3:4-8;
c. An alarm to prepare for the battle of Armageddon, or the destruction that shall be made in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joe 3:9-15;
1. The battle of that great day of God Almighty, Revelation 16:14, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
2. Gog and Magog, Revelation 20:8, “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
d. An account of the happy state of the people of God, their safety and security, plenty, prosperity, and purity, to the end of the world, Joel 3:16-21.

THE BOOK OF HOSEA–A BASIC OUTLINE

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THE BOOK OF HOSEA
A BASIC OUTLINE
Introduction:
“Hosea was a contemporary of Amos in Israel, and of Isaiah and Micah in Judah, and his ministry continued after the first, or Assyrian, captivity of the northern kingdom 2 Kings 15:29. His style is abrupt, metaphorical, and figurative.
“Israel is Jehovah’s adulterous wife, repudiated, but ultimately to be purified and restored. This is Hosea’s distinctive message, which may be summed up in his two words, Lo-ammi, “not my people,” and Ammi, “my people.” Israel is not merely apostate and sinful—that is said also; but her sin takes its character from the exalted relationship into which she has been brought.”
The book is in three parts:
I. The dishonoured wife, 1:1—3:5.
II. The sinful people, 4:1—13:8.
III. The ultimate blessing and glory of Israel, 13:9—14:9.
The events recorded in Hosea cover a period of 60 years (Ussher). — Scofield.
Hosea’s “prophecy was before the prophecy of Isaiah; and yet he was not the first of these minor prophets, as to order of time; not only Jonah, but Joel and Amos, were before him (Isaiah). He began to prophesy about the year… 808 B.C.
His name is the same with Joshua and Jesus, and signifies a saviour; and he was not only, as all the true prophets of the Lord and faithful ministers of the word are, the means and instruments in the hand of God of saving people; but he was a type of Christ the Saviour, as well as prophesied concerning him, and salvation by him. — John Gill’s Expositor.
Special Fitness for His Task:
1) Hosea is supposed to have been a native of the North, and was familiar with the evil conditions existing in Israel. This gave a special weight to his message.
2) It would appear from the narrative that he married a wife who proved to be unfaithful. This enabled Hosea to vividly portray God’s attitude toward Israel, his adulterous spouse, Hosea 1:2-3; 2:1-5.
Spiritual Message: Apostasy from God is Spiritual Adultery.
1) God, the Husband, Hosea 2:20; Isaiah 54:5.
2) Israel, the unchaste Wife, Hosea 2:2.
A Brief Summary of the Book:
Section 1
Israel’s Apostasy is symbolized by the experience of the prophet in his marriage, Hosea 1:1–3:5.
Section 2
1) Prophetic Discourses, chiefly descriptions of the backsliding and idolatry of the people, mingled with threatening and exhortations, Hosea 4:1–13:16.
2) The formal call to repentance, and promises of future blessings, Hosea 14.
Illustrations of the highly figurative language used to express the evil conditions in Israel:
1) The Valley of Achor, for a door of Hope, Hosea 2:15; Joshua 7:24-26.
2) “Joined to idols,” Hosea 4:17. “Ephraim” refers to the northern 10 tribes of Israel because Jeroboam, by whom the revolt was made, was of that tribe.
3) “Mixed among the people” (no longer a separated and holy nation), Hosea 7:8.
4) “A cake not turned” (dough on one side, expressing half-heartedness), Hosea 7:8.
5) “Strangers have devoured his strength” (weakened by evil associations), Hosea 7:9.
6) “Grey hairs are here and there upon him” (premature old age, and unconscious deterioration), Hosea 7:9.
7) “Israel swallowed up” (national identity lost), Hosea 8:8.
8) “A vessel wherein there is no pleasure” (a marred and useless vessel unto the Lord), Hosea 8:8.
9) “The balances of deceit” (commercial trickery in business), Hosea 12:7.

THE BOOK OF HAGGAI–AN OUTLINE

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THE BOOK OF HAGGAI
AN OUTLINE

Introduction:

“The Prophet of the Temple” was reputed to have been born during the seventy years’ captivity in Babylon, and to have returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. He was a colleague of Zechariah, Ezra 5:1 6:14.
“The time of his prophecy is fixed in Haggai 1:1 to the second year of Darius… according to Bishop Ussher, was…about 520 B.C.; and about seventeen or eighteen years after the proclamation of Cyrus for the Jews to return to their own land.
Haggai was the first of the three prophets, that prophesied after their return; and all his prophecies were within the space of four months, and have their dates variously put to them. Of the authority of this prophecy of Haggai there is no room to question; not only because of the internal evidence of it, but from the testimony of Ezra, Ezra 4:24; 5:1-2; 6:14, and from a quotation out of Haggai 2:7-8, by the author of the epistle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 12:26.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
Main Theme: Sharp rebukes for the neglect to rebuild the temple, coupled with cheering exhortations and promises to those undertaking the work.
Key Verse: Haggai 2:4, “Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:”
Historical Occasion: The remnant that had returned from captivity were selfishly preoccupied with their own affairs, and were more concerned in beautifying their own dwellings than in rebuilding the Lord’s house. The work had ceased for years, Haggai 1:4.
The Message:
1) A cutting reproof, showing that God had withheld his natural blessings, because his temple was left in ruins, Haggai 1:3-1.
2) Words of encouragement as the work of rebuilding the temple was resumed Haggai 1:12-15.
3) Inspiring promises to the older people who had seen Solomon’s Temple, and they were discouraged at the inferiority of the structure they were able to build, Haggai 2:3.
4) They were told of a coming manifestation of divine power and the appearing of the Messiah when the glory of the Lord would fill the house, Haggai 2:7-9.
5) A reminder of their unworthiness to erect a house for the Lord of Hosts, Haggai 2:10-14.
6) Predictions of the doom of the heathen nations, and words of commendation for Zerubbabel, as God’s chosen instrument, Haggai 2:20-23.

THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK-A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

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THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK

Introduction:

“It seems most probable that Habakkuk prophesied in the latter years of Josiah (about 596 BC). Of the prophet himself nothing is known. To him the character of Jehovah was revealed in terms of the highest spirituality. He alone of the prophets was more concerned that the holiness of Jehovah should be vindicated than that Israel should escape chastisement. Written just upon the eve of the captivity, Habakkuk was God’s testimony to Himself as against both idolatry and pantheism.” —Scofield.
Key Verse: Habakkuk 1:3, “Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.”
A Brief Summary of the Book:
The book opens with the prophet in perplexity over the mystery of unpunished evil in the world. The first two chapters are mainly composed of a dialogue between Habakkuk and Jehovah.
1) The prophet complains to God that he sees sinful violence on every hand, yet no punishment is visited upon the evildoers, Habakkuk 1:1-4.
2) He receives a reply revealing the divine plan of using the Chaldeans as a swift and terrible instrument of judgment upon the wicked nations, Habakkuk 1:5-11.
3) Still the moral problem is unanswered in the mind of the prophet. How can a holy God use these wicked heathen to waste and destroy people more righteous than they? Are the wrong and violence to continue forever? Habakkuk 1:12-17.
4) The prophet ascends his watch tower to look over the world. He receives the reply of Jehovah, and is told the Purpose of God is soon to be fulfilled, and is encouraged to wait for it, Habakkuk 2:1-3. Then follows the sentence that has been a watchword in the Christian Church, Habakkuk 2:4.
5) Content with the new light received, the prophet utters a series of five woes against:
a. The Dishonesty, Habakkuk 2:6.
b. The Covetousness, Habakkuk 2:9.
c. The Bloody Building Enterprises, Habakkuk 2:12. See John Gill’s Expositor.
d. The Debauchery, Habakkuk 2:15.
e. The Idolatry of the great world power, Habakkuk 2:18-20.
6) Finally he utters a sublime prayer (or psalm of praise), speaking of the majesty and glory of Jehovah and declaring his unwavering trust in the divine plans, Habakkuk 3:1-19.
Notable Passages:
1) The Morning Star of Victory, Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38. “But the just shall live by his faith.”
2) The Triumph of Missions, Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
3) The Woe to the Drunkard Maker, Habakkuk 2:15.
NOTE: The thing meant is, that the Chaldean king, with his insatiable desires (a kind of intoxication), allured neighboring states into the same mad thirst for war to obtain booty, and then at last exposed them to loss and shame (compare Isaiah 51:17; Obadiah 1:16); an appropriate image of Babylon, which at last fell during a drunken revel (Daniel 5:1-31).
4) An All-conquering Faith, Habakkuk 3:17-18, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

THE BOOK OF DANIEL–A COMPANION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

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THE BOOK OF DANIEL
A COMPANION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Introduction:

“Daniel, like Ezekiel was a Jewish captive in Babylon. He was of royal or princely descent (Daniel 1:3). For his rank and comeliness he was trained for palace service. In the polluted atmosphere of an oriental court he lived a life of singular [remarkable] piety and usefulness. His long life extended from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel (Ezekiel 14:20), Joshua, the high priest of the restoration, Ezra, and Zerubbabel.

“Daniel is the indispensable introduction to New Testament prophecy, the themes of which are:

? The apostasy of the Church.
? The manifestation of the man of sin.
? The great tribulation.
? The return of the Lord.
? The resurrections and the judgments.

These, except the first, are Daniel’s themes also.
“But Daniel is distinctively the prophet of the ‘times of the Gentiles’ (Luke 21:24). His vision sweeps the whole course of Gentile world-rule to its end in catastrophe, and to the setting up of the Messianic kingdom.” — Scofield.

“The Romans, who ploughed up the city and temple, and laid them level with the ground; and which spot has been ever since inhabited by such as were not Jews, as Turks and Papists: and so it will be, “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled;” that is, till the fulness of the Gentiles is brought in; until the Gospel is preached all over the world, and all God’s elect are gathered in out of all nations; and then the Jews will be converted, and return to their own land, and rebuild and inhabit Jerusalem; but till that time, it will be as it has been, and still is possessed by Gentiles.” — John Gill’s Expositor.

Daniel’s Career: Resembled that of Joseph:

1) Promoted to the highest office in the realm, Daniel 2:48.
2) He maintained his spiritual life in the midst of a heathen court, Daniel 6:10.

Section 1:
“Daniel “was carried to Babylon among the Hebrew captives brought thither by Nebuchadnezzar at the first deportation in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. As he and his three companions are called (Daniel 1:4) ‘children,’ he cannot have been more than about twelve years old when put in training, according to Eastern etiquette, to be a courtier (Daniel 1:3, 6). He then received a new name, by which it was usual to mark a change in one’s condition (2 Kings 23:34; 24:17; Ezra 5:14; Esther 2:7), Belteshazzar, that is, “a prince favored by Bel” (Daniel 1:7). His piety and wisdom were proverbial among his countrymen at an early period; probably owing to that noble proof he gave of faithfulness, combined with wisdom, in abstaining from the food sent to him from the king’s table, as being polluted by the idolatries usual at heathen banquets (Daniel 1:8-16).” — Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.

The book refers to six moral conflicts in which Daniel and his companions participated:

1) First Conflict. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself, in promoting health. Resolution to follow God’s precepts wins, Daniel 1:8-15.
2) Second Conflict. Between Worldly wisdom and heavenly Wisdom in the interpretation of dreams. Divine Wisdom Wins, Daniel 2:1-47.
3) Third Conflict. Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold versus Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s Loyalty to God. Loyalty to God Wins, Daniel 3:1-30.
4) Fourth Conflict. Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride arrayed against Divine Sovereignty. God wins, —the king turned out to eat grass, Daniel 4:4-37.
5) Fifth Conflict. Belshazzar’s irreverence for the things of the Temple; reverence wins, —the Handwriting on the Wall; Belshazzar dethroned, Daniel 5:1-30.
6) Sixth Conflict. Between Malicious Plotting and the Protection of God over his Saints. God’s Providence wins: The lion’s mouths are stopped, Daniel 6:1-28.

Section 2:
Visions and prophecies relating to the controlling hand of God that move the scenes in the Panorama of History, Daniel 7:1–12:13.

Interpretation:
The Book of Daniel is a companion to the Book of Revelation; both contain much imagery which is mysterious. The attempt to fit the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation into the facts and events of human history has produced an endless conflict of opinions. The true interpretation of the details of the visions is not always clear.

Two Facts are generally acknowledged by candid scholars:

1) That the prophecies represent a partly veiled Revelation of Future Events in secular and sacred history.
2) That the visions point to the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom over all Satanic and World Powers.
In Chapter Seven many commentators see the Four Beasts as representing the four great Empires, —Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, Daniel 7:1-7, followed by a vision of the Coming Messiah.
In Chapter Eight another period of Medo-Persian and Grecian history appears under the figure of a beast.
Chapter Nine contains Daniel’s prayer and a veiled prophecy of the time of the Coming of the Messiah.
Chapters Ten to Twelve contain additional far-reaching predictions and revelations of future events.
“This chapter (10) is an introduction to the prophecies contained in the two following chapters; and begins with an account of Daniel’s mourning and fasting, preparatory to the vision he had, Daniel 10:1-3, and of the appearance of Christ to him, with the time and place of it; who is described by his clothing, and the several parts of his body, which were very glorious, he appearing in a human form, Daniel 10:4-6.
“In this chapter (11) the angel makes good his promise to Daniel, that he would show him what was written in the Scripture of truth, concerning the monarchies of the earth, and what would befall his people the Jews in the latter days.
“This chapter (12) begins with an account of a time of exceeding great trouble to the people of God, who are comforted with the consideration of Michael the great Prince being on their side, and with a promise of deliverance, with the resurrection of the dead.” Daniel is ordered to close, “seal the book of the prophecy, until a time when it should be better understood.” – John Gill’s Expositor.

Choice Selections:

1) The Purpose of Daniel, Daniel 1:8.
2) The “Stone cut out of the Mountain,” Daniel 2:44-45.
3) The Answer of the Three Hebrew Captives, Daniel 3:16-18.
4) The Feast of Belshazzar, Daniel 5:1-31.
5) Daniel in the Den of Lions, Daniel 6:1-24.
6) The Vision of the Judgment, Daniel 7:9-14.
7) The Soul-winner’s Promise, Daniel 12:3.