Books
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Prophecy
Purpose of the Prophecy
The books of prophecy were given to encourage God's people to persevere in faithfulness to Him in the midst of difficult circumstances. The prophecies of past now fortify us as the people of God in our day as we wait for the return of Jesus. The books of prophecy should encourage and strengthen us in the faithfulness of God to carry out his plan.
The Specific Contribution to Our Spiritual Formation
Primary Contribution: To exhort us about the rewards of covenant obedience and warn us of the discipline of disobedience under the old covenant so that we are challenged to maintain our heart for God and our just treatment of others as we live under the new covenant.
Therefore, ask: What does this passage or oracle tell us about Israel's behavior in her covenantal relationship with God and about God's response to His people, and those areas that we may also be susceptible to neglect within our new covenant relationship?
Secondary Contribution: To give us glimpses into the immediate future of God's people or into the distant future of the messianic/new covenant era and the superseding blessing of life in this climactic era.
Therefore ask: What does this passage or oracle tell us about God's plans for Israel (now past) or His plans for His new covenant people (now present or still future)?
Information taken from:
Playing With Fire: How the Bible Ignites Change in Your Soul by Walt Russell
Playing With Fire: How the Bible Ignites Change in Your Soul by Walt Russell