The kingdoms of this world are ruled by our God. It might not look that way. We’ll spend some time comparing the two kingdoms and then apply what we’ve covered. Jesus’ rule is over all.
Politics: Two Kingdoms
Are you looking forward to the election? Do you dread having to watch or listen to another political add on your favorite source of media? Maybe you’ve sworn off Facebook until November 4th? This week we started a new Bible study on politics. In this first lesson we looked at the two kingdoms that the Christian lives in. The first is the church. It’s a great place to be!
Haggai
“Git er done!” That was the cry from Haggai to God’s people as they lagged behind. Their reason wasn’t a good one. Putting their homes before God’s home isn’t following God’s plan. He asks to be number one in our lives. Listen as we see where the glory can be found in the temple of God.
Obadiah
Obadiah was a prophet who lived to see the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. What is interesting about the book is that the focus is the little nation of Edom. This was a neighboring nation to Israel. Edom was more than that! You see, the feud between Edom and Israel went all the way back to Jacob and Esau.
Habakkuk
Does God want us to complain? The prophet Habakkuk wrote in grievance down in his prophecy. We hear God’s answer, the prophet’s follow-up, and then God’s reply. Check out this dialogue between a troubled Old Testament Christian and the God who loves him. God’s promises are for you too! The righteous will live by faith.
Nahum
God takes care of his people. God keeps his promises. That can be a happy thought when God calls for the destruction of one of Israel’s enemies. The Assyrians had terrorized the ancient world for more than a hundred years, but their destruction would happen.
Micah
Micah might be the most well known of the Minor Prophets because of his contribution to the Epiphany accounts, pointing out that Bethlehem would be the birth place of Jesus. His words offer very pointed comparisons to modern politics and immorality. He was quoted by Jesus and reminds us that we have a God like no other! Ours is a God who forgives.
Hosea
Hosea is a Hebrew word that means salvation. The prophet was given a unique ministry because he was told to take an adulterous woman as his wife. This is normally a bad idea, but God was going to use his family as an object lesson. If that sounds horrifying to you, I would agree on a few different levels.
Amos
Amos is the first Minor Prophet that we will consider in our new Bible study: Minor Prophets Major Messages. In this book God does not hold back. He unleashes threats that would be made real in just a few years. The economic good times didn’t help Israel as they turned back from our God. Amos has some surprising insights into our culture as well. That days are evil!
The Conclusion
Is the Conclusion to the Ten Commandments something new to you? If you have gone through catechism instruction in the Lutheran church as a youth, the chances are extremely high that you covered the Conclusion.
