We’re now past halfway in our journey through the Bible that follows a roughly chronological order. This post considers three prophets before the Exile: Hosea, Amos, and Habakkuk.

Previously, we looked at Ezekiel and his message that God’s people would always belong to him, offering hope and reassurance. Similarly, Isaiah spoke of God’s presence and love. Yet, time and again, the covenant people ignored God’s ways, refusing to listen or follow him.

Hosea’s life itself became a message of God’s faithfulness. He married an unfaithful prostitute, symbolising how God’s people strayed, worshipping idols instead of remaining devoted to him. Despite their waywardness, there was still hope. Prophets like Micah and Zephaniah also shared messages of redemption.

Amos, in contrast, delivered a stern warning. Although life seemed good, the people were exploiting one another and had become selfish. Amos urged them to recognise their wrongdoing, as this wasn’t how God intended them to live.

Habakkuk wrestled with difficult questions, asking why God allowed suffering and injustice. Through his struggles, he came to understand that even when circumstances seem unfair, God remains just. He ultimately declared his faith in God’s goodness, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-18: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

The overarching message is clear: regardless of our circumstances, God is always a God of love and grace.

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Daniel and his friends were heroes of the faith who stood firm against the rulers of Babylon. Though their situation seemed dire, they remained steadfast, knowing that God was with them.

As exiles in Babylon, they worked as slaves, tasked with tasting the king’s food for poison – a risky job, but one that ensured they ate well. They remained faithful to their Jewish dietary laws and were visibly healthier as a result.

King Nebuchadnezzar was greatly impressed with Daniel after he interpreted a dream about a giant statue being shattered. Daniel credited his wisdom to God, saying, Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. However, the king later erected a massive golden statue and ordered everyone to worship it. When Daniel’s friends refused, they were thrown into a fiery furnace but emerged unharmed.

Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, held a great feast where he arrogantly used sacred temple vessels to toast idols. Suddenly, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall – originating the phrase the writing’s on the wall. No one could interpret the message except Daniel, who revealed that it foretold the king’s downfall.

Under the next king, Darius, a decree was issued that only he should be worshipped. Daniel and his friends continued praying to God and were thrown into a den of lions. Yet, once again, they were miraculously unharmed.

Their stories remind us that while we may face hardships, God is with us through every trial. As Psalm 23 says, even in the ‘darkest valley’, we need not fear.

Note: As well as the stories, the Book of Daniel is one of the earliest examples of apocalyptic literature, a genre which includes symbolic visions, angelic interpretations, and a focus on end-times. Daniel’s prophecies are often linked to the Book of Revelation.

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Ezekiel continues the theme of renewal and hope seen in Jeremiah and Lamentations. Despite the exile, God sought a fresh start for his people, even in their darkest moments. As Jeremiah 29:11 declares, God’s plans were to prosper his people, not harm them, giving them hope and a future.

Ezekiel was appointed to call the Israelites to repentance, as their behaviour didn’t reflect their status as God’s covenant people. However, they ignored his warnings and persisted in their sinful ways. As a result, they faced suffering and humiliation. Through this, they learned a crucial lesson, that God wasn’t just one of many deities, he was the true and living God.

Despite their punishment, God never fully rejected his people. Punishment wasn’t an act of rejection, but a means to bring them back to him. As seen throughout the Bible, he’s the Lord of life, hope, and new beginnings. His discipline was always intended to restore, not destroy.

God promised transformation for His people:
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:26-28

This promise of a new heart and spirit emphasised that true renewal comes from God. Living life in reference to him is the only way to experience true fulfilment, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

God assured his people of a new future. He would lead them back from exile, and they would rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. This renewal wasn’t just for them, but also for all who choose to follow him. Just as he was their God, he can be our God, giving us hope and a future.

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Each day offers a fresh start, a new beginning, and a clean slate. The book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, highlights this theme:

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness… The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:21-26)

As we journey through the Bible, we arrive at Jeremiah and Lamentations, which serve as a reminder that hope exists even in the darkest times.

Jeremiah wrote during the destruction of Jerusalem, warning the people of impending judgment due to their disobedience and complacency. They believed that God wouldn’t allow disaster to strike them, dismissing Jeremiah’s warnings as meaningless. However, their defeat and exile proved otherwise.

Despite the devastation, God’s desire for renewal remained. Even in exile, there were signs of a new beginning. In Jeremiah 31:31-33, God promises a new covenant:

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Though Jeremiah’s message contains sorrow and judgment, it’s ultimately one of hope. God’s plans were never to harm but to restore:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Even in difficult times, God’s faithfulness endures, offering the promise of renewal, redemption, and a fresh start.

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When the birth of John the Baptist is celebrated in the Christian calendar, one of the set readings is from Luke 1 about his birth, and another from a passage in Isaiah 40. Verses, of course, associated with John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. His message centres on encouraging the covenant people of God to focus on the only true and living God, the one who never lets his people down, even when times are difficult.

The preaching of Isaiah represents a theological highpoint of the Old Testament: Not one of the other prophets approaches Isaiah in intellectual vigour, or, more particularly, in the magnificent sweep of his ideas. Gerhard Von Rad.

I have soared into the heavens and seen the glory of God, and with new eyes I have seen this world and my own place in it. The view has been breath-taking. Barry Webb.

The writings in this book cover three important periods in the lives of God’s people: before, during and after the Exile. As a result, many scholars feel that the author cannot be the same person throughout. This is nothing to worry about, God’s inspiration is very real and the book shows a remarkable unity.

You can think of Isaiah as the Bible in miniature, it gives us a complete picture of God and points to his love in sending Jesus. Here was hope, not just for the people at the time, but for all humankind in the future.

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Following Proverbs, we come to the Book of Ecclesiastes. The most well-known verses from this book are found in chapter 3:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes is a book that contemplates the meaning of life. Why are we here? What is it that makes life worth living? Although the subtitles in the NIV are not very promising:

Everything is Meaningless
Wisdom is Meaningless
Pleasures are Meaningless
Toil is Meaningless
Advancement is Meaningless
Riches are Meaningless
A Common Destiny for All (in other words, death)

The writer is basically saying that even human wisdom has its limits; it can’t discover the larger purposes of God or tell us anything about our ultimate existence. All the human things he describes are simply chasing after the wind. But his faith teaches him that God has ordered things according to his own purposes.

Life lived without reference to God is meaningless and purposeless. The wholeness of our life and existence is found in God, each of us has a God-shaped hole within us that can only be filled by him.

As the NLT Study Bible says: Those who trust God will take the apparent futility of life as an incentive to diligently and wisely achieve what they can while they are alive and to enjoy God’s good gifts in the process.

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The Book of Proverbs is a key wisdom text in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, though it includes contributions from others. It belongs to biblical wisdom literature and provides practical guidance on living a righteous and disciplined life.

Comprised of 31 chapters, Proverbs is written in poetic form, often using parallelism to reinforce or contrast ideas. It covers themes such as integrity, humility, diligence, justice, family life, and speech. The central message is that wisdom is more valuable than wealth or power and begins with “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7), meaning deep reverence for God. The book contrasts wisdom, which leads to life and success, with folly, which results in destruction.

The first nine chapters contain poetic discourses urging the pursuit of wisdom, often personified as a woman calling people to follow her. Chapters 10 to 29 feature concise sayings, many attributed to Solomon, addressing daily concerns such as honesty, hard work, relationships, and leadership. The final chapters, attributed to Agur and King Lemuel, offer additional reflections on humility, God’s greatness, and the virtues of a noble wife.

Proverbs remains widely respected for its practical applications and timeless insights. Its teachings, such as “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) and “Pride goes before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), are still frequently quoted in both religious and secular contexts.

Ultimately, the Book of Proverbs serves as a moral and practical guide, emphasising character, self-discipline, and a reverent relationship with God. Its wisdom continues to inspire those seeking ethical clarity and sound decision-making in their daily lives.

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The Book of Psalms, often called the Bible’s songbook, contains 150 songs that capture the full spectrum of human emotion. It expresses joy, sorrow, faith, doubt, praise, and lament, reflecting the reality of life in God’s presence. The psalms are rooted in the experiences of God’s covenant people, guiding them through life’s journey.

Psalm 1 introduces the three main characters of the psalms: God, those who follow him, and those who live without him. It invites us to consider which path we are on. Just as a journey requires a map or SatNav, life needs direction, and God’s Word is described as a light for our path. Many psalms celebrate the joy and wisdom found in his teachings.

Throughout the Psalms, we’re reminded that God walks with us on our journey. This truth calls us to worship, as seen in Psalm 135:1 – Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord. His love is a recurring theme, proclaimed in Psalm 136:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

The Psalms affirm the joy of belonging to God and being upheld by his care. He strengthens us for life’s challenges, and we can share our deepest thoughts and feelings with him, even our anger. God is big enough to handle our struggles and can transform our pain into praise.

One of the most beloved psalms, Psalm 23, beautifully captures God’s provision and protection:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul…
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ultimately, the Psalms remind us that God is always with us, guiding, strengthening, and loving us throughout life’s journey.

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The book of Job offers a profound exploration of theodicy, the justice of God in the face of human suffering. We often wish life were predictable, like a mathematical equation, but reality proves otherwise. Good and bad alike experience fortune and misfortune, making life seem unfair.

Job’s story begins in heaven, where Satan challenges Job’s faithfulness, suggesting he serves God only for personal gain. God permits a test, allowing Job to lose everything except his life. His so-called ‘friends’ arrive, insisting he must have sinned and urging him to confess. Their simplistic reasoning, assuming suffering is always a result of wrongdoing, is flawed.

Despite their accusations, Job maintains his innocence.

Eventually, he encounters God, yet receives no direct answers. Instead, he gains a vision of God’s greatness, realising that God is beyond human understanding. It’s been said that God isn’t simply another person, he’s far greater and can’t be reduced to human logic or equations.

We may try to explain God, but ultimately, we must trust, obey, and humble ourselves before him. The Christian life is one of complete dependence on God, even when life appears unfair. There’s no easy answer to suffering, but we can look to Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose again for us.

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The books of Ruth, Esther, and Song of Songs all centre on women, though they differ significantly in content and theme. The story of Ruth is set during the time of the Judges. Ruth, a Moabite, married a Jewish man, the son of Naomi, who had moved to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, due to famine. After Elimelech and both sons died, Naomi decided to return to Judah. Ruth, out of deep loyalty, chose to accompany her mother-in-law despite an uncertain future.

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16-17)

Life was hard, but God provided. While gathering barley, Ruth met Boaz, the field’s owner, who happened to be a relative of Naomi. Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek his help, and in the end, Boaz married Ruth. Remarkably, Ruth became part of Jesus’ genealogy, signifying God’s inclusion of outsiders in his plan.

The book of Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman who became queen of Persia during a perilous time. Haman, the king’s chief administrator, plotted to exterminate the Jews. Esther courageously approached the king and revealed the plan, risking her life. The king intervened, saving the Jews, and Haman was executed. Esther’s bravery ensured the survival of God’s people, and her actions are commemorated in the Jewish festival of Purim.

Finally, Song of Songs is a poetic celebration of love and passion. The book is filled with sensual imagery, as two lovers express their deep emotions for each other through vivid natural metaphors.

Some interpret the book allegorically, seeing it as a representation of God’s love for his people, Christ’s love for the Church, or the relationship between God and the human soul. However, it’s also a straightforward portrayal of romantic love and sexuality, a rare and deeply expressive piece of biblical literature.

These three books highlight love, devotion, and loyalty – qualities that define human greatness. Whether through Ruth’s steadfast commitment, Esther’s courageous sacrifice, or the passion in Song of Songs, they remind us of the power of love in all its forms.

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