Have you ever had a strange dream?  One filled with images that were maybe startling or disturbing?  Zechariah is a book that has several night visions filled with images that are strange and similar to other apocalyptic imagery in books like Ezekiel and Revelation.   In Ezra 5:1-2, we are told that both Zechariah and Haggai were prophets who helped push the people to complete the work on the temple.  Their visions had important messages to share about either the current state of the people or a future promise. 

The book of Malachi is the last of the 12 minor prophets as well as the last book of the Old Testament.  This prophet ends the Old Testament with a clear warning about apathy and ethical compromise.  Malachi means “my messenger,” and he did have a very clear message to give the Israelites.  Interestingly, the phrase “Lord of Hosts” or “Lord of Armies” occurs in this book more than in any other Old Testament book.  At this time in Israel’s history, they had returned from captivity but were still under foreign rule and had no real military of their own.  God is reminding them that they need no military protection if they will put their faith in Him.  The book is unique in that it uses a didactic-dialectic method where a charge is made, an objection is raised, and then a refutation is given to the objection.  It has a very conversational tone and method of teaching

With the study of Haggai, we are jumping forward in the timeline of the Bible now to after the captivity of Judah and the remnant has returned to Jerusalem. Haggai was a contemporary of Zechariah and Ezra. The remnant returned after the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC and although they initially had been zealous and eager to rebuild, soon they became discouraged and distracted by their day-to-day lives. 18 years have now passed, and Haggai begins to prophesy in 520 BC.

The genealogy of Zephaniah is traced back at the beginning of the book to Hezekiah, and Zephaniah appears to be of royal descent. Zephaniah received the word of the Lord during the reign of Josiah (Zeph 1:1), most likely between 640-609 BC. Zephaniah’s name means “Jehovah hides.”

My husband and I live in a congested city in a house that’s over 100 years old. It’s a brick house, built to last. It’s got a lot of character. Translation: it’s really great to look at, but something is always in need of repair. Water has found its way into the house in at least four different locations. Pipes have broken, and water has pooled up in the basement as well. The back stoop steps are leaning sideways, and the doorknobs are almost daily falling off the doors and into the floor. The house demands our attention.

In Romans 14:19, Paul writes, “So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” What if everyone I encountered today followed that law? What if at least I did? Why is peace so difficult to maintain? Why are the people I care for the most often the hardest to get along with? What are we to do when we disagree?

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). Oh, the power of our words! We’ve all been subject at some time in our lives to words that cut like a knife. And we’ve all watched with regret as our own words hurt someone as deeply as any weapon. James calls our tongue “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” How we long to be the perfect man he speaks of that “does not stumble in what he says.” Yes, if we care about our relationships, we will have to learn to be “slow to speak” (James 1:19).

Habakkuk is one of the most applicable books in the Bible. It is common for us to question the evil in the world around us and wonder about the justice of God. Habakkuk had these same questions, and the answer from God may be surprising.

In the first article in this series, we established that the Bible is the most important tool in our toolbox for improving our relationships. The next piece of equipment we need? A mirror. When I am serious about working toward better relationships, the first place to start and the only element I can control is myself. In this and the next three articles, we will look to improve ourselves using as a guide James 1:19, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

In verse 11 of Hebrews 11, the writer shifts momentarily from Abraham’s faith to that of Sarah.  It is through Sarah’s faith in God’s promise that she is able to conceive at the age of 90 and jointly with Abraham receive the blessing of the promise.

Mary of Bethany and her siblings were very dear friends of our Savior. It is quite possible that Jesus stayed in their home in Bethany many times when he visited Jerusalem, which was just a 20 or 25 minute walk just over the Mount of Olives.  Luke 11:38-41 notes one particular visit: “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’”  Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus were all disciples of Jesus.  But in this text, we are reminded of how important our discipleships must be to us, how carefully we must dedicate ourselves to them, and how sincerely we must devote ourselves to them.  Mary deserves our consideration as we examine the nature of our own discipleship.   I would like to meet her; I know I would like her very much.

Mary was born somewhere around 16-20 BC, and though we do not know where she was born, she certainly lived at least some of her teenage years in Nazareth of Galilee. The Galilee of the time of Jesus was not only the richest, fertile farmland, cultivated to the utmost – it was covered in towns and villages filled with working class families and served as the center of many trades and industries; it was important land for the nation of Israel. Galilee was in an area with several very busy roads that accommodated the commerce of the world at that time. Nazareth was a city with one of the great caravan routes – leading from the sea to Damascus. People of all nations, busy with another life than that of Israel, would appear in the streets of Nazareth daily. For Mary, this meant she was accustomed to many thoughts and associations related to the outside world that would be discussed and introduced in Nazareth by these travelers. Mary would have gone to the market and done her daily business in the streets with people from all over – with all kinds of new products and ideas.

I just checked, and a search on Amazon for “Improving” and “Relationships,” brings over 10,000 results! Apparently, there’s quite a market for people looking to improve their relationships.

It has been said that the 20th century was the bloodiest in human history. With two World Wars and countless other smaller wars, millions of human beings were killed. However, history is filled with cruel empires, and Nahum was prophesying to one such kingdom – Assyria. As many would feel some level of hope in hearing of the fall of the Axis powers, likewise, those who had been victims of the Assyrians held out hope that Assyria would fall. The Assyrians were cruel and advertised freely on tablets and palace walls the different forms of torture they would inflict on their conquered. A quick internet search or visiting some of the museums that have archeological finds from this empire can show you exactly how cruel the Assyrians were. Nahum the Elkoshite delivered his message after the fall of Thebes occurred in 663 BC (Nah. 3:8) but while Assyria was still in a dominant position – so most likely, Nahum prophesied sometime between 630 – 612 BC. His poetry is quite powerful and expressive and includes a chiasm in chapters 2-3 centered on the “Woe” speech in 3:1-4.

Joel is a difficult book to date and, depending on the scholar, can be placed as early as 900 BC to as late as 400 BC. In addition, there is not much information about the prophet himself. His name means “Jehovah is God,” and we do know from the book that he is “the son of Pethuel.” Although we aren’t given enough details to know the date for certain or very much about Joel, his message remains as timely today as to his audience at the time.

In Acts 9, we view a small snapshot of the life of Ananias from Damascus. We meet him after he has accepted the gospel of the Way, in the capital city of Syria, about three years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. We don’t know how Ananias has become a disciple of Christ, but verse 10 tells us that he is a disciple. It is possible that he has heard the gospel message of the new kingdom while visiting Jerusalem or another area of Judea or from another zealous disciple who had returned with the good news. But he is a Christian, he is living in Damascus, and he is defined by his belief and obedience to do the will of God. I would love to meet him; I know I would like him.

Micah was a younger contemporary of Amos and Hosea (in Israel) and Isaiah (in Judah) and was from the town of Moresheth-Gath in Judah. Interestingly, this town was near the fortress town of Lachish which was besieged by the Assyrian empire. He prophesied from approximately 740-690 BC, and his name means “Who is like Yahweh?”

Continuing our look into Hebrews 11, after the examples of Abel, Enoch, and Noah, the Hebrew writer mentions Abraham. He’s going to speak about Abraham in verses 8 - 10 and then again in 17-19. I’m also going to deal with Abraham in two sections because I don’t know how you wouldn’t…I mean, if it’s good enough for the Hebrews writer…

Hosea prophesied in the reign of Jeroboam II, most likely after Amos had prophesied to Israel, around 750 B.C.  His name means “salvation” or “deliverance,” and although we don’t know exactly where he was from, it appears that he was originally from the northern kingdom of Israel.  Knowing he was sent to Israel in a similar timeframe as Amos is interesting as these men appear to be very different.  Whereas Amos is stern, and his language emphasizes justice, Hosea seems to be focused on mercy and filled with more emotion.  Hosea is still bringing a message of judgment against the Israelites, but the tone is very different from that found in Amos.

Several years ago, Russ, Lee, my nephew, and I stopped at a Taco Bell while traveling in Orlando, Florida.  As we walked into the place, all seemed calm; the seating area was clean but almost empty, and Donna greeted us from the register with a radiant and friendly smile and disposition.  “Whatcha need, baby?” she said as we stepped up to the counter.  As I proceeded to give my order, I glanced over to notice about 6 to 8 customers standing to my left and several of Donna’s colleagues answering questions and attending to the concerns of these customers the best they could.