Though the scattering of Israel was on the horizon, the Lord reminds them of his mercy and grace in their past, present and future. Help and salvation is within reach, but the choice to receive God’s hand of forgiveness is up to Israel.

In the third of this four-part series, we see Israel headed right back to the bondage that God delivered them from in Egypt, but this time it will be with a new enemy – Assyria. Israel’s demonic influence and rebellion parallels the most heinous acts ever recorded in the Bible. Though darkness has ensued, God lays out the path to course correct and points to a future time when Israel will again be used for God’s purposes.

As the picture continues to unfold of Israel’s adulterous relationship with the surrounding nations, we see God’s heart to heal thwarted by Israel’s heart set on iniquity.

In the first three chapters of Hosea, we see the painful mission of marriage to an unfaithful spouse that the Lord commissions Hosea to embark on. Through this heart-wrenching relationship, we see a clear picture of Israel’s infidelity and the Lord’s immediate judgment and future redemption of His people.

Nahum 3 is the account of the manifold sins that Nineveh has committed, leading to the city’s final judgment.

In Nahum chapter 2, the prophet foretells of a mighty army, consisting of the Babylonians and the Medes, advancing on Nineveh. In this overtaking of Assyria’s capital, we see an example of the Lord using wicked nations against each other to enact judgment.

The book of Nahum is a continuation of the narrative of Jonah, but from a future prophetic perspective, declaring the destruction of Nineveh by the Babylonian empire. Nahum chapter one begins God declaring the love for His people (Judah) and the vengeance that He will take on His enemies.

When the Lord Jesus returns for the second time, to end the tribulation and execute the day of judgment against the nations, He will reestablish His kingdom in Jerusalem for a thousand years, pouring out spiritual and physical blessing upon His people.

In parallel to the the locusts that brought famine upon the land of Judah in Joel’s time, Joel sees a future in chapter two, where a mighty army comes and destroys the land. In light of this coming destruction, the Lord calls His people to repent and gives promise of a future healing, of both land and heart.

The Mosaic covenant was broken repeatedly by the kings of Israel and Judah. The warnings of famine and exile, given long before in Deuteronomy, came to pass during the ministry of Joel. In chapter 1, we see the prophet calling God’s people to mourn and recognize the transpiring devastation as from the Lord.  

God desires fruit out of the lives of His people that brings glory to His name. Israel, like the barren fig tree, was not producing fruit for the Lord, but had rejected His word and were plotting to murder His Son. Their stewardship was withered like the cursed fig tree, ushering in the time of the Gentiles (the Church age).

Jesus’ second feeding miracle in the wilderness is another great picture of a shepherd caring for His flock. Through this example, we learn that ministry can be both directed toward those in need and a tool for developing growing leaders.

Many are looking for that luck of the draw moment to rescue them from life’s challenges. In John 5, we see Jesus heal a paralytic that could not get himself into a known antidote of healing on time. In modern times, people are still waiting around the pool of lottery, border crossing and the like to find their moment of elevation. Would the church have a solution for whosoever desires to be whole of whatsoever ails them?

In the latter half of Matthew 9, we see that faith is seeing beyond your circumstances according to God’s will.

In moments of crisis, it’s difficult to think clearly or act effectively. Jairus, a ruler of a northern synagogue, whose daughter just died, demonstrates an effective way to approach God with honor and desperation to bring His power into a hopeless situation.

In this gospel story, as Jesus declares a man’s sins are forgiven, we see that a scornful heart will inhibit one’s ability to see God at work, even if it’s right in front of them.

In Luke 7, we find Jesus resurrecting a widow’s son from the dead, picturing our spiritual resurrection in Christ.

Peter was questioned by a tribute collector about Jesus’ participation in the giving. What is a seemingly straightforward task of retrieval becomes a deeper lesson on the freedom and provision given to God’s children.

The second time the disciples find themselves in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus is not in the boat with them. This passage reinfoces the truth that the trials that the Lord allows to manifest in our lives brings insight into our true nature and the nature of the Father. When we are in the Lord’s Spirit, we will reflect Him as His children.

As Jesus and his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee, we see two very different responses to the storms of life. Jesus’ response is not only a lesson in finding peace in God, but also reveals his holy authority over all of creation.