Picture from cover of Today in the Word
This Month's Intro - September
Jonah, Nahum, and Haggai

From the weather to world politics, it seems as though everything around us is constantly in flux. Despite what many Bible cynics would argue, however, the exact opposite is true of God: He never changes. When an unchanging God relates to an ever-changing world, He adapts His tone to fit the needs of His people.

This month in Today in the Word, we’ll see how the call of God took different forms across the centuries as He spoke through three distinct prophets in three unique situations, all of which apply to our lives today.In Jonah, God used extraordinary measures to show His commitment to a stubborn prophet and His mercy to a people primed for repentance. In Nahum, God proclaimed His judgment against the very nation He had redeemed 100 years prior, in response to their persistent apostasy. And in Haggai, God reminded His people of His steadfast power to encourage them in righteousness.

These three short books of prophecy cover the historical span of Judah before, during, and after its captivity and exile. Yet the Lord’s demand for faithfulness isn’t contingent upon political climate or personal circumstances. God wants us to turn our eyes toward Him—and no amount of change can prevent us from drawing close to Him.

We hope that this array of prophetic proclamations meets you in your unique situation and reminds you that God and His love for you remains steadfast and unaltered. Take joy in His love!


Table of Contents

Jonah
Sep 1 - Jon. 1:1-2
Historical background, person & ministry of Jonah
Sep 2 - Jon. 1:3-10
The prophet’s first response to God’s call
Sep 3 - Jon. 1:11-16
The results of running from the Lord
Sep 4 - Jon. 1:17-2:1
Faith & the unbelievable: Great fish swallows Jonah
Sep 5 - Jon. 2:2-4
The prayer of a man in severe distress
Sep 6 - Jon. 2:5-7
The prayer of a man whose life is in God’s hands
Sep 7 - Jon. 2:8-10
The prayer of a man who rejoices in God’s salvation
Sep 8 - Jon. 3:1-4
The prophet’s second response to God’s call
Sep 9 - Jon. 3:5-9
The Ninevites’ response to God’s message
Sep 10 - Jon. 3:10
Faith & the incomprehensible: God changes his mind
Sep 11 - Jon. 4:1-5
The prophet’s third response to God’s call
Sep 12 - Jon. 4:6-9
God as teacher and the parable of the vine
Sep 13 - Jon. 4:10-11
What the prophet learned about the heart of God

Nahum
Sep 14 - Nah. 1:1
Historical background, person & ministry of Nahum
Sep 15 - Nah. 1:2-6
The justice and power of the wrath of God
Sep 16 - Nah. 1:7-11
The patience yet holiness of the love of God
Sep 17 - Nah. 1:12-15
Judgment on Nineveh
Sep 18 - Nah. 2:1-10
A vivid narrative of the downfall of Nineveh
Sep 19 - Nah. 2:11-13
The results of opposing the Lord
Sep 20 - Nah. 3:1-7
The justice of God and reaping what you sow
Sep 21 - Nah. 3:8-13
The power of God and reaping what you sow
Sep 22 - Nah. 3:14-19
Faith & the appalling: Nineveh completely destroyed

Haggai
Sep 23 - Hagg. 1:1
Historical background, person & ministry of Haggai
Sep 24 - Hagg. 1:2-11
Comparing human priorities with God’s priorities
Sep 25 - Hagg. 1:12-15
The people’s response to God’s message
Sep 26 - Hagg. 2:1-5
Courage to obey the word of the Lord
Sep 27 - Hagg. 2:6-9
The day of the glory of the Lord is coming
Sep 28 - Hagg. 2:10-14
Purity in obeying the word of the Lord
Sep 29 - Hagg. 2:15-19
Faith & unworthiness: Blessings for the defilers
Sep 30 - Hagg. 2:20-23
The results of obeying the Lord


Volume 23 Issue 9

Managing Editor
Heather Moffitt

Associate Editor
Elena Mafter

Contributing Editors
Adam Kellogg
John Koessler

Writer
Brad Baurain

Design
Rachel Hutcheson

Production Manager
Paul Currie

 

View Todays Devotion


Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Bible scholar Richard Patterson has pointed out the numerous literary forms and genres present in Old Testament prophecy. His list includes announcements of judgment (typically revolving around human sin and God’s justice), kingdom oracles (including themes of redemption, restoration, and blessing), instructional accounts (exhorting hearers to repentance and worship), prayers, hymns or psalms, satire, laments, and vision reports. In the book of Ezekiel, these literary forms and genres create a rich “kaleidoscope of material” that challenges interpreters to be diligent and alert about how language is used.

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