Malachi

You made it! The last book of the Old Testament! This last prophet before the time of Jesus (400 years later) proclaimed a message of a coming King.  This King would come to judge as well as to rescue. Will the reader be met by "burning like a furnace" or by "healing" (4:1-2)? God's passionate desire is to rescue and heal. May it be!

The last word in the Old Testament is "curse." Thank the Lord that the next words we hear are "the historical record of Jesus Christ" (Matthew 1:1).

Read it here.

Zechariah 13-14

"On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the residents of Jerusalem, to wash away sin and impurity" (13:1).  What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  But make no mistake - the enemies' blood will flow as well. Those who reject the hope of the Messiah will die in their sin. Some graphic imagery is contained here!

Read it here.

Zechariah 10-12

This book is sprinkled with these images of the Messiah that would bot be realized for another 500 years after Zechariah finished writing these pages! And every detail will come true. "And they will look at Me whom they pierced" (12:10). God will go to unimaginable lengths to secure the restoration of His people.  He will take all the punishment that they (we) all deserve and put it on the Suffering One - God's own Son.

Read it here.

Zechariah 7-9

"Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury, for I hate all this" - this is the Lord's declaration (8:17).

God loves Truth.

And you will discover a prophecy about the Coming King - Jesus - as you read the vision in ch. 9! Think "Palm Sunday."

Read it here.

Zechariah 4-6

"Not by strength or might, but by My Spirit," says the Lord (4:6).  Even though the visions Zechariah recounts can be a bit opaque, the message he is sending is unmistakable.  He is calling them to repentance, obedience, and a phenomenal restoration.

Read it here.

Zechariah 1-3

"See, I have removed your guilt from you, and I will clothe you with splendid robes" (3:4).

"If you will return to Me, I will return to you."  That is the hope-filled message that Zechariah has for God's people. They had been restored from the Babylonian captivity but had returned to some of the spiritual apathy and sin that had marked their forefathers. Zechariah is sent to call them to repentance and restoration.

Read it here.

Haggai

Haggai brings four messages from God to His people.  All four are recorded in this short two-chapter book.  The people needed a motivating kick in the pants.  They were dawdling around when there was work to be done on restoring the Temple. God used this man (and his co-laborer, Zechariah) to fuel a passion for completing the work God had called them to.

Read it here.

Zephaniah

This prophet testifies to the great and coming Day of the Lord ... the Day that God comes to set things right. That is good news for those who eagerly await His deliverance. It is terrifying news for those who are unprepared to meet their Maker.

One of the most beautiful and compelling images is painted for us in the third chapter as the Lord hushes and quiets His people and begins to sing over them with love and peace.

Read it here.

Habakkuk

Ever wonder why bad people seem to prosper and good people get the shaft? A lot of people have asked that question. Habakkuk adds his voice to the very same.

You have to read this interaction with God and the beautiful prayer of surrender at the finale.

Read it here.

Nahum

This short prophetic book is about the future calamity of Nineveh. That wicked city had been spared when they repented at the preaching of Jonah (about 150 years before the time of Nahum). But apparently their repentance did not last for long. Because now this massive city has become the foe of God and a bastion of blood, deceit, prostitution, sorcery and every kind of wickedness.

If only they had held onto the God who is "good" and is a "stronghold in the day of distress" (1:7).

Read it here.

Esther 9-10

To this day the Jewish people of the world celebrate the story of Esther at the Feast of Purim (the Hebrew word for "lots" - as in "casting lots").  You'll see why in today's reading.  This story is historical - it is not a myth. And the God who left His fingerprints on every page is still alive today!

Read it here.

Esther 7-8

When we take the path of wickedness, we fall into the pit that we dug with our own hands. This story is a vivid depiction of that! And there is a reward for the faithful.

Read it here.

Esther 5-6

We need to start seeing all of the "only God" moments that fall all around us!  This is awesome to read!

Read it here.

Esther 3-4

Is Mordecai the hero? Would YOU have pushed Esther to become a candidate for queen? Seriously?

Is Esther the hero? She certainly didn't (at least initially) want to be the hero.

There is a God behind these people and these event. There is a God behind you and me!

Read it here.

Esther 1-2

This is NOT a story about Esther. In these pages you will not discover a blemish-less heroine. She has deep and evident weakness and flaws.  Though this story bears her name, this is the story about God. This is a great book.  Without referring to God by name, you will see His fingerprint all over every page. There is intrigue, well-developed characters, and the hand of Providence.  These first two chapters set up the storyline. Enjoy!

Read it here.

Nehemiah 9-10

Confession and worship intermingle as the people reacquaint themselves with God's Words. They also carefully rehearsed the story of redemption.  This reminded the people of the ways of God and their need to stay close to Him and His Words.  What a great example for us to follow!

Read it here.

Nehemiah 7-8

The man of God read the Bible to the people and then the gifted teachers helped them understand and apply what they were hearing. This has been God's purpose and plan for His people for all these generations.  Are you hearing God's Word? Are you getting help to understand and apply it to your lives?

Read it here.

Nehemiah 5-6

Nehemiah takes every opportunity to point these people to God. He is a strong, decisive leader. But no one misses the fact that his Commanding Officer is God!  The number of reference to prayer is astounding.

Read it here.

Nehemiah 3-4

Nehemiah is a stud leader! This is a great picture of enormous effort coupled with complete, prayerful dependence on God. It is not an either/or proposition.

Read it here.

Nehemiah 1-2

If you've never read Nehemiah before, do it now. This is a story of a noble man depending on God and seeing His divine hand in every detail - living in dependence on his God!

Read it here.