God Can Speak to Us When We’re Awake The prophet Joel foresaw a time when people would see visions (Joel 2:28). It was fulfilled on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-17). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, all followers of Jesus can receive visions today. But just because they can see visions, doesn’t mean they do. Let’s […]
Psalm 200 from Beyond Psalm 150 The book of Habakkuk concludes with a lengthy prayer that reads like a psalm. Yahweh, I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, Yahweh.Renew your work in the middle of the years. In the middle of the years make it known. In wrath, you […]
The Old Testament’s Last Prophet The name Malachi occurs only once in the Bible. The reference gives no background information about him. Bible scholars believe he is a contemporary of Joel. Malachi addresses the exiles who have returned to Judah from Babylon. He talks about the many ways God’s people fall short of the Lord’s […]
Psalm 199 from Beyond Psalm 150 After Habakkuk cries out to God, God responds. He says to look, watch, and be amazed. But Habakkuk isn’t amazed. Perhaps he isn’t listening. Or is he too weary to hear? Habakkuk doesn’t respond with a hearty “thank you.” Instead, he continues his plea, which we can read as […]
Psalm 198 from Beyond Psalm 150 Habakkuk’s book records a dialogue between him and God, with God’s response emerging as prophecy. The book opens with the prophet’s plea to God for relief from injustice. His words flow forth as a psalm of lament: Yahweh, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I […]
Psalm 197 from Beyond Psalm 150 After four acrostic poems, with each verse starting with successive letters from the Hebrew alphabet, our fifth and final psalm of lament is shorter. It reflects the response of the remnant of people who remain in desolated Jerusalem. The rest are either dead or exiled. Though we may expect […]
Psalm 196 from Beyond Psalm 150 As we move forward in the progression of these five psalms of lament, the fourth poem centers on God’s anger—or the perception of his anger. It’s a heart-wrenching recitation of the outcome of God’s wrath. How the gold has become dim! The most pure gold has changed!The stones of […]
Psalm 195 from Beyond Psalm 150 For the third of our five psalms of lament, we read the author’s bitter angst. The prophet Jeremiah did everything that God told him to do, even though he encountered opposition and imprisonment for his obedience. Though we might expect the prophet to stand at a distance and effectively […]
Psalm 192 from Beyond Psalm 150 Jeremiah, God’s prophet, proclaims his Lord’s words. When Pashhur, the priest in charge of the temple, hears Jeremiah predicting destruction, he has the prophet beaten and thrown in stocks for a day. Upon his release, Jeremiah foretells that because Pashhur prophesied lies, he, his family, and all who listen […]
Psalm 191 from Beyond Psalm 150 Our next two Psalms come from the prophet Jeremiah. His ministry occurs toward the end of the nation of Judah’s existence. His book ends with Judah’s exile. In this short psalm, Jeremiah opens with an unassuming gentleness, yet he quickly implores Yahweh to punish those nations and families who […]