THE BOOK OF OBADIAH- – A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

Art Davison THE BOOK OF OBADIAH 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF OBADIAH
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
Introduction:
Internal evidence seems to fix the date of Obadiah’s ministry in the reign of the bloody Athaliah, 2 Kings 8:16-26. If this be true, and if the ministry of Joel was during the reign of Joash, then Obadiah is chronologically first of the writing prophets, and first to use the formula, “the day of the Lord.” – Scofield.
Obadiah seems “to be contemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, with whose prophecies this agrees, as may be observed by comparing it with Jeremiah 49:1-39; Ezekiel 25:1-17; and to have lived and prophesied after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; in which the Edomites, against whom he prophesies, had a concern; see Obadiah 1:11-14; Psalms 137:7.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
The Prophecy of Obadiah Centers around an ancient feud between Edom and Israel. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, and had a grudge against Israel because Jacob had cheated their ancestor out of his birthright, Genesis 25:21-34; 27:41.
Author: Most likely Obadiah.
Key Thought: Obadiah 1:10, “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.” The Edomites refused Israel a passage through their country, Numbers 20:14-21. They rejoiced over the capture of Jerusalem, Psalms 137:7.
A Brief Summary of the Book:
1) The Doom of Edom for their pride and wrong unto Jacob, Obadiah 1–16.
2) The Deliverance of the Chosen People, and the inclusion of Edom in the future Kingdom, Obadiah 17–21; Numbers 24:18.
Spiritual Lesson: God’s special providential care over the Jews and the certainty of punishment upon those who persecute them.

THE BOOK OF NAHUM- – A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

Art Davison THE BOOK OF NAHUM 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF NAHUM
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

Introduction:

“Nahum prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah, probably about one hundred and fifty years after Jonah. He has but one subject—the destruction of Nineveh. According to Diodorus Siculus, the city was destroyed nearly a century later, precisely as here predicted. The prophecy is one continuous strain which does not yield to analysis. The moral theme is: the holiness of Jehovah which must deal with sin in judgment. Nineveh stands in Scripture as the representative of apostate religious Gentiledom, as Babylon represents the confusion into which the Gentile political world-system has fallen Daniel 2:41-43. Under the preaching of Jonah, B.C. 862, the city and king had turned to God (Elohim), Jonah 3:3-10, but in the time of Nahum, more than a century later, the city had wholly apostatized from God. It is this which distinguishes Nineveh from all the other ancient Gentile cities, and which makes her the suited symbol of the present religious Gentile world-system in the last day.” — Scofield.
Author: Nahum, His name means “compassionate” or “full of comfort.”
Main Theme: The Destruction of Nineveh.
The Purpose of the book: To pronounce Divine Vengeance upon the bloody city, and to console Judah with promises of future deliverance, Nahum 3:1; 1:13-15.
A Brief Summary of the Book:
Chapter 1: A vision of the majesty and invincible power of Jehovah, who will break the yoke of the Assyrians and deliver Judah.
Chapter 2: A dramatic description of the Siege of Nineveh.
Chapter 3: A woe pronounced upon the bloody city, and her complete ruin foretold.

THE BOOK OF MICAH- – A BRIEF OUTLINE

Art Davison THE BOOK OF MICAH 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF MICAH
A BRIEF OUTLINE
Introduction:
“Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah over Judah, and of Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea over Israel about 746 BC, 2 Kings 15:23-30; 17:1-6. He was a prophet in Judah Jeremiah 26:17-19 but the book called by his name chiefly concerns Samaria. — Scofield.
Author: Micah, a native of Moresheth, in Judah.
His name: means, “Who is like Jehovah.” He belonged to the territory of Judah, but spoke to both Judah and Israel.
His anointing: Micah 3:8, “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.”
A Brief Summary of the Book:
I. General Divisions
A. Chs. 1-3, Chiefly threatenings of coming judgments, Micah 1:1–3:12.
B. Chs. 4-5, Prophetic promises of deliverance, Micah 4:1–5:15.
C. Chs. 6-7, Mainly Exhortations and confessions of National Sins, coupled with promises of restoration, Micah 6:1–7:20.
II. Particular Sins Condemned
A. Idolatry, Micah 1:7 5:13.
B. Evil plans and devices, Micah 2:1.
C. Covetousness, Micah 2 2.
D. The Unrestrained Greed of princes, prophets and priests, Micah 3:2-11.
E. Witchcraft, Micah 5:12.
F. Dishonesty, Micah 6:10-12.
G. Universal corruption, Micah 7:2-4.
H. Treachery, Micah 7:5,6.
III. Future Hopes
A. The establishment of a Righteous Kingdom, Micah 4:1-8.
B. The coming of a Messiah King, Micah 5:2.
NOTE: Though Jerusalem should be besieged and taken, and the land of Judea laid waste, yet, before all this should be, the Messiah should be born in Bethlehem, of which this is a prophecy, as is evident from Matthew 2:4-6.
C. The Reformation and Restoration of the nation, Micah 7:7-17.
D. The complete Triumph of Divine Grace, Micah 7:18-20.
Quotations From:
1) By the elders, —thus saving the life of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 26:16-19; Micah 3:12.
2) By the Sanhedrin, to Herod the Great at the time of the Birth of Christ, Matthew 2:5-6; Micah 5:2.
3) By Christ, —in sending forth his disciples, Matthew 10:35-36; Micah 7:6.
Notable Passages:
1) The definition of True Religion, Micah 6:8.
2) The Birthplace of Christ announced, Micah 5:2.
3) God’s disposal of the Sins of Believers, Micah 7:18-19.

THE BOOK OF MALACHI- – A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

Art Davison THE BOOK OF MALACHI 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF MALACHI
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

Introduction:

“Malachi “my messenger,” the last of the prophets to the restored remnant after the 70 years’ captivity, probably prophesied in the time of confusion during Nehemiah’s absence (Nehemiah 13:6). The burden of his message is, the love of Jehovah, the sins of the priests and of the people, and the day of the Lord. Malachi, like Zechariah, sees both advents and predicts two forerunners (Christ – Malachi 3:1 and John the Baptist – Malachi 4:5-6). As a whole, Malachi gives the moral judgment of God on the remnant restored by his grace under Ezra and Nehemiah. He had established his house among them, but their worship was formal and insincere.” — Scofield.

The Style is forceful and Peculiar. Jehovah is represented as having a dialogue with his people. “Ye Say” is contrasted with “Thus saith Jehovah of hosts” through the first three chapters.

Theme: A graphic picture of the closing period of Old Testament history, showing that great reforms were needed to prepare the way for the coming Messiah.

Key Text: Malachi 3:8, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

A Brief Summary of the Book:

I. Dark Side of the Picture.

These are the sins of a dishonest, ungrateful people, and an unfaithful priesthood:

1) Robbing God:

a. By failure to respond to Divine Love, Malachi 1:2.

b. By dishonoring God’s Name, Malachi 1:6.

c. By presenting blemished offerings, Malachi 1:7-8, 13-14.

d. The priests, by evil example, becoming stumblingblocks, instead of spiritual leaders, Malachi 2:1-8.

e. By honoring sinners Malachi 2:17 3:15.

f. By selfishly withholding tithes, Malachi 3:8.

g. By justifying impiety, Malachi 3:14.

2) Social Sins:

a. Treacherous dealing with brethren, Malachi 2:10.

b. Intermarriage with the heathen, Malachi 2:11.

c. Divorcing wives, Malachi 2:14-16.

d. Sorcery, impurity, oppression, Malachi 3:5.

II. The Light Side of the Picture

Glorious Promises:

1) Of the coming of the Messenger of the Covenant, Malachi 3:1-4.

2) Of the outpouring of a Great Blessing, Malachi 3:10-12.

3) Of the saints becoming Jehovah’s peculiar Treasure, Malachi 3:16-18.

4) Of the dawning of a New Day in which righteousness shall triumph, Malachi 4:2-3.

5) Of the appearance of a Spiritual Reformer before the Day of the Lord is ushered in, Malachi 4:5-6.

THE BOOK OF JONAH- – A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JONAH 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF JONAH
Introduction:
“The historical character of the man Jonah is vouched for by Jesus Christ, Matthew 12:39-41, as also that his preservation in the great fish was a “sign” or type of the Lord’s own entombment and resurrection. Both are miraculous and both are equally credible. 2 Kings 14:25 records the fulfillment of a prophecy by Jonah. The man himself was a bigoted Jew, unwilling to testify to a Gentile city, and angry that God had spared it. Typically he foreshadows the nation of Israel out of its own land; a trouble to the Gentiles, yet witnessing to them; cast out by them, but miraculously preserved; in their future deepest distress calling upon Jehovah-Saviour, and finding deliverance, and then becoming missionaries to the Gentiles. Zechariah 8:7-23.” — Scofield.
“This book of Jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy; one line of prediction there is in it, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown; the rest of the book is a narrative of the preface to and the consequences of that prediction.” — Matthew Henry.
Jonah was a native of Galilee, one of the earlier prophets, 2 Kings 14:25. This narrative has been ridiculed as a myth by unbelievers, and is regarded by some scholars as a legend, or parable. The Jews accepted it as historical.
The Character of Jonah:
1) “Sanctified in spots,” a strange mixture of strength and weakness.
2) Self-willed, Jonah 1:1-3.
3) Godly, Jonah 1:9.
4) Courageous, Jonah 1:12.
5) Prayerful, Jonah 2:1-9.
6) Obedient after chastisement, Jonah 3:3-4.
7) Bigoted and selfish, disappointed when the Ninevites repented, Jonah 3:4-10 4:1.
8) Had too much concern for his own reputation, Jonah 4:2-3.
A Brief Summary of the Book:
Chapter 1:
1) The Divine command evaded, vv. 1-2.
2) The flight and punishment of the prophet, vv. 3-17.
Chapter 2: The Prayer and the Deliverance.
Chapter 3: The Second Commission Obeyed.
Chapter 4:
1) The Childish Complaint of the prophet; vv. 1-4.
NOTE: In all the book of God we scarcely find a “servant of the Lord” (and such a one we are sure Jonah was, for the scripture calls him so) so very much out of temper as he is here, so very peevish and provoking to God himself. – Matthew Henry.
2) The great exhibition of Divine Mercy, coupled with the rebuke to the prophet, vv. 5-11.
Spiritual Lessons:
1) The peril of running away from duty.
2) The temptation to selfish patriotism and religious bigotry.
3) The Divine employment of imperfect men as channels of Truth.
4) The Wideness of God’s Mercy.