Discovering the Diamonds of the Old Testament Prophets

Have you ever woken up in the morning, grabbed your Bible, and then groaned, realizing this day’s reading is in the middle of Ezekiel?  If you are like me, you may have thought something like,  “Maybe I should take a break in the New Testament for a bit,” or “How does another passage predicting judgment on Edom or Judah really help me with my crabby, sick kids who will be up in 10 minutes?” or “I’ve already read the 118 chapters of Isaiah and Jeremiah, but there are still 13 more prophets to go. How will I ever get through all of this?” Yes, I have entertained many of these thoughts over the years. Yet in reading through the Bible this last year, the Lord has freshly illuminated to me the riches of the Old Testament Prophets. I want to encourage you, sisters, through what the Lord taught me in the seeming mire of the Old Testament Prophets and leave you with some resources to unearth these riches in your own study. 

Three Diamonds from the Old Testament Prophets

The Old Testament Prophets Illuminate the New Testament

Last year while reading an “easier” passage in James, I was struck by how my recent trek through the prophets provided context and clarity to the truth found in James 5. 

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord…As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast” (James 5:7, 10-11a). 

We all desire to be patiently waiting for the Lord. Yet are we acquainted with the examples he has given us as encouragement in our waiting? In obedience to the Lord, Hosea married a prostitute who was repeatedly unfaithful to him. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. Amos, Micah and others are outcast by their nation, hunted by kings and killed for their warnings and call to obedience. They warned the people countless times, often without seeing any revival. Yet even in the face of such suffering, the Old Testament Prophets remained faithful to the Lord’s calling and waited patiently for his coming promises. So when we are reviled, outcast, persecuted or just exhausted from warning our children about their sin for the hundredth time that day, we can look back on these faithful men who daily obeyed God even in the face of suffering. God had a purpose in their suffering and used every act of obedience for his purpose in history. Likewise, our suffering, waiting, and obedience has an eternal purpose that will be beautiful to behold one day.   

The Old Testament Prophets Display the destructive nature of Sin

Sin will destroy us. Yes, the whole Bible shares this message, but it is especially clear in the Old Testament prophets. According to Zephaniah 1:17, the Lord will cause mankind to “walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord.” Have you ever tried to navigate through a pitch-black room? Your progress is slow and painful as you run into the counter, step on Legos , or hit your head on an open door. Sin causes us to navigate life in the same way. It clouds our steps and muddles our decisions. It causes us to stumble and fall at every turn. I want my way illumined and clear before me, not dark and shrouded. My prayers are often filled with pleas for discernment for training my daughter, making work decisions, navigating relationships, managing finances and countless other decisions. Zephaniah’s warning reminds me that as I seek clarity in my way, whether at work or at home, I must examine myself and see if there is any wicked way in me (Ps 139:24). As we delight in the Lord instead of harboring sin, the Lord will restore us to nearness with himself which is what we most desperately need for every moment and decision.    

The Old Testament Prophets Highlight the Character of God

On an average day, how many times do you remind and warn your children, or maybe other children in your care, about the consequences for their repeated disobedience? Probably dozens of times, often with patience that is spotty and running thin. However, that is not what we see from our God. Through each of his prophets, God warns his people patiently, directly, and repeatedly.  God warns Judah and Israel for decades and centuries, not minutes or days. He promises that he is not blind to his people’s idolatry or lazy to follow through on the promised consequences (Amos 2:4-5). He does bring judgment for sin, but he is also ready to forgive when his people turn back to him. 

What a profound demonstration of perfect justice mixed with profound mercy from the heart of our God! In fact, we are recipients of his greatest promise of mercy found in the Old Testament Prophets. God’s promises for a Messiah, given in the prophets, have all been fulfilled (Is 53; 1 Peter 2:24-25). Think about that. Promises given hundreds of years before have been fulfilled and we get to be the recipients of this grace (1 Peter 1:12-14). Thus, the prophets are part of our own astounding story of redemption. Or from another perspective, we are a part of the story of redemption that God first announced through them. Through the Old Testament Prophets, we see God’s very heart — a heart of patience, justice, mercy, and faithfulness clearly on display giving us an anchor and hope in our everyday moments. 

Resources for Discovering the Diamonds of the Old Testament Prophets

If these truths have ignited an interest or even a curiosity for discovering the diamonds found in the Old Testament Prophets, here is a list of my favorite resources to aid your study of these rich books. 

The Cities Church Sermon Series on the Minor Prophets

In 2015, our pastors preached a 12 week series on the Minor Prophets, spending one sermon on each Minor Prophet. Before studying a minor prophet,  listening to the sermon on that book will help you gain context and clarity about  setting and main theme. Plus, this is an easy thing to do while folding some laundry or commuting to work!

Guided Bible Studies

 A guided study provides you with questions designed to deepen your understanding of the text and apply the unearthed truths to your life. Some of my favorite companies for guided studies are the Daily Grace Co and Matthias Media Studies. Both of these companies have created studies with thought provoking questions and insightful excerpts that push you to go deeper in the text. The Daily Grace Co.’s studies are beautifully designed too!

Study Bible

The ESV study bible is what I have used primarily. It provides cross references and comments on passages that can help clarify the meaning of the passage. It also has helpful articles on a variety of theological topics.

Active reading 

Find a way to mark up the passage as you read.  The ESV Scripture Journals are a great resource. The passage  is written on one side of the journal, with a lined page on the other side, allowing you to underline, highlight and take notes during your study.

Prayer

I kept the most powerful tool for the end! In John 16:13, Jesus says, “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit alone can give us the insight into the truths our hearts need in the Old Testament prophets.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes and hearts to God’s character, your failings, and the lasting promises all found in the Old Testament prophets. May the Lord bless your study, sisters!