Hosea to Daniel

Bible Reading Journal: Hosea - Daniel


Bible Reading & Date
Hosea, Joel & Amos: Mar 18-20, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Books:

Hosea is significant for several reasons. To begin, Gomer was like unfaithful and rebellious Israel. Hosea marries Gomer and buys his adulterous wife back from a slave market, which represents God’s covenant relationship with Israel. In addition, in Hosea, we read that God’s love is unconditional, eternal and it transforms us. We see that God loves us enough to punish our sins and that we cannot do anything that will separate us from God’s love. The book of Hosea also reveals to us that God hates adultery. We learn from Hosea that God is concerned for every aspect of our well-being including the success of our marriage. Still yet, from Hosea, we learn that experiencing unrequited love ourselves may help us understand how God feels when we reject his love. Finally, we hear from Hosea about Israel’s restoration.
In Joel, Judah is devastated by locusts, which Joel compares to a marching human army and says it is divine judgment for the nation’s sins. We learn never to put trust in our possessions but put our trust in the Lord. Joel also reveals that God sometimes uses nature and sorrow to draw us closer to him. Joel teaches us that without repentance, judgment will be harsh. Finally, Joel reveals that God’s covenant with his people will never end and when they repent, there will be renewed material and spiritual blessings for the nation.
Amos is significant for several reasons as well. One, in God’s vision to Amos, God reveals the standard for his people and God’s nature of hope shines through. In addition, we learn that because God is righteous, he expects us to be satisfied with nothing less than his righteousness for our lives. We also learn that God hates sin and that the cost of sin is expensive. In addition, we see that God sometimes selects individuals for his work that the world would reject. Still yet, Amos teaches us that God expects more from those to whom he has given more. Finally, from Amos we learn that God’s judgment is certain and God - fearing people receive blessings from God.

Bible Reading & Date
Micah, Nahum & Zephaniah: Mar 25-27, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Books:

Micah is significant theologically for several reasons. To begin, Micah prophesies the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem, which gives Bethlehem eternal prominence. God also reveals to Micah about the remnant remaining, gathering his own from the ends of the earth and restoring Zion. In Micah, Micah’s cry is for God’s people to show justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. We learn that God gives warnings for us to heed so we will not have to suffer his wrath. In addition, Micah teaches us that God disciplines those he loves us because he knows that sin destroys and he wants us to be whole. Finally, we see that God’s promise of restoration is for those who remain true to him.
In Nahum, we read the sequel to the book of Jonah. We discover from Nahum that God is patient and slow to anger. In addition, Nahum teaches that praise from our lips and the works of our hands together enable us to worship God. Still yet, we learn that anyone plus God is the majority and that God’s promises are sure. Moreover, we learn we should not lean on our own might but on God’s might. Finally, Nahum teaches us that vengeance belongs to God alone.
In reading the book of Zephaniah, we hear a message of judgment. In Zephaniah, we learn that God is not prejudiced and loves universal obedience. In addition, Zephaniah teaches that God wants us to have pure hearts. We learn that the coming day of the Lord will bring judgment greater than the world has ever known. Still yet, Zephaniah teaches that renewed fellowship with God is available to all who genuinely repent. Zephaniah announces that God’s holy vengeance will lead him to judge all sin in the coming “great day of the Lord.” Finally, we learn that God has promised to exalt a remnant, which he will gather from the ends of the earth to live with the Lord.


Bible Reading & Date
Ezekiel & Obadiah: Mar 28 – Apr 1, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Books:

In Ezekiel, Ezekiel receives visions concerning the immediate and long-term plans of God. In Ezekiel, we see the ways of God contrasted with the ways of the world. We learn that we are each responsible for our own sins yet together accountable for the sins of our nation. In addition, we learn that God, like a loving father, will discipline us for our disobedience. Finally, we learn once again that God’s promises of restoration for his people will be fulfilled.
In Obadiah, we learn that God will overcome for us if we stay true to him. In addition, we learn that unlike Edom, we must be willing to help others in times of need. Still yet, Obadiah teaches us that like a loving father, God may at times need to punish his children. Moreover, Obadiah teaches us that pride is sin and we that we actually have nothing to be proud of except what Jesus has done for us. Finally, we learn from Obadiah that loving humankind can be easy, but we may need God’s help to love the person next door.


Bible Reading & Date
Jeremiah & Habakkuk: Apr 4 – Apr 10, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

In Jeremiah, we see it Jeremiah’s responsibility to proclaim Judah’s coming judgment for her continuance in sin. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, weeps for his own persecutions and for his nation’s bitter affliction. In Jeremiah, we learn again that God is patient and that God’s love for us may require we receive divine discipline. From Jeremiah, we learn that it grieves God to have to discipline his children. In addition, Jeremiah teaches that nations, which reject God, will pay the price for their rebellion and that the time to repent is now. Finally, we learn that God may rebuke sin in our lives but he will never abandon us.
A major lesson learned from Habakkuk is we need to have complete faith in God for the righteous live by faith. In addition, we learn we may not always understand why God does what he does, but we can be assured that he loves us and that his plans include his judgment for the wicked. We see there is woe to those who build by unjust gain and bloodshed and woe to those who trust idols. In Habakkuk, we see that God will not compromise with sin. In addition, Habakkuk teaches that no matter what our circumstances, we can trust the Lord and praise him. Still yet, we see that a life lived by faith is a life full of God’s joy. Moreover, we can talk to God about anything. Finally, Habakkuk teaches us if we get to know God better, we will understand more his plans for creation.

Bible Reading & Date
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: Apr 18-23, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

In Haggai, we see that before the reconstruction of the temple, the hearts of the people need to be renewed and the Lord tells them to give thought to their ways. In addition, Haggai encourages the people to get their priorities right, which will result in god’s glory filling the new temple. We also learn that in order for a project to be completed, it must first be started and that a job half done is a job not done. We learn that we must commit our ways to God so he will guide us and bless our walk. Still yet, we learn that we should avoid compromising situations and sometimes we settle for good when we could have had the best. Finally, from Haggai, we learn that prosperity and other standards of success do not make us happy in the long - run if we do not put God first.
In Zechariah, Zechariah lets the nation know that they will only be blessed in the future is they are obedient to God and his Word. In addition, we read about the Messiah, his power, betrayal and kingdom, which is central. Still yet, we learn that God’s ways are best for God but also they are best for us and we do not need to be afraid of anything when we are on God’s side. Moreover, Zechariah teaches us that God desires pure motives for our actions. We also learn from Zechariah that a person in love with the Lord will love and be compassionate toward others. Finally, we learn that God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was established from the time sin first entered the world.
In Malachi, we learn that when the people do not tithe, they rob God. We also learn from Malachi that people owe God more than money; they owe time, talents and praises as well. In addition, we read in Malachi that part of his ministry is to prepare the hearts of God’s people and the way for John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus. Still yet, we learn from Malachi that remembering God’s victories will help us in our current time of need. Moreover, we realize that giving to God and God’s work is a
privilege and no matter how hard we try, we can never out give the Lord. Finally, we learn that God’s plan includes all of history.

Bible Reading & Date
Esther: Apr 25 – May 1, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

In Esther, we discover that God blessed Esther with beauty however; it is the beauty of her heart that sets her apart for God. We discover as we read that it is not by chance that this Jewish girl rises to become queen of the most powerful empire of the world. We realize as we read that the name of God does not appear once in the book of Esther, but God’s providential care and leading are throughout the book. In Esther, we learn that God may have bigger plans for us than we have for ourselves. In addition, Esther teaches us that God may put us into positions of leadership or influence so we can more thoroughly accomplish his purposes. Still yet, God answers prayer and fasting by enabling us to overcome our human obstacles. Moreover, we learn that God providentially provides for his children. Finally, we learn that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for him and again, we learn he may have to discipline his children but he will never leave them or forsake them.

Bible Reading & Date
Daniel: May 2 - 7, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

In the book of Daniel, we read several stories that illustrate the courage and commitment of men who place their faith in God, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego. We learn that God protects and preserves those who rely on him. In Daniel, we learn that God works through people’s lives to work his will. In addition, we read that kingdoms may rise and fall, but God and his Word lasts forever. Still yet, Daniel teaches that if we will commit ourselves to God, then good will triumph over evil in our lives. Moreover, we learn from Daniel that God is concerned about every area of our lives, even our eating habits and that because God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient only he is worthy of lordship of our lives.

Bibliography

The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version, Rainbow Studies,
Inc., El Reno, Oklahoma, 1992.