It's Getting Scary

What does one do when, while teaching a class on the Minor Prophets, one's pastor starts preaching from HOSEA? Is there an echo in the house??? Having moved away from Hosea some 4 weeks ago and progressed through six prophets and one hundred years of history in class, is it possible that HOSEA has something to speak to the society today?

What are the idols that modern American "people of God" are having affairs with? Is it possible that we use the resources provided to us by God's loving care to "run off to Vegas with a whore?" Wouldn't it be simpler if we simply built temples and had ticket booths, oops, did I really say that, I mean if we had specifically declared offerings that were to be given so that it would be easy to NAME that IDOL. But, since we don't have any idols in the modern world, does Hosea actually have anything to say to us today?

Minor Prophets and Life: Do they matter? pt. 2

Six down and six to go! we have discussed four prophets associated with the 8th century BC and two with the 7th, all the while wondering, "Does context matter?" Do Nahum and Habakkuk have anything new to add to what the 8th century prophets already proclaimed? Where is the focus on harlotry, the chasing after other gods? Where is the doom, the gloom, and the denial of hope for those who for 200 years have avoided the real question, "Why should I care about a deity who delivered my ancestors?"

It is interesting in reading the 7th century prophets to see how the context changes the approach. No longer does the "other kingdom" dominate the discussion, no longer is there an ability to place comparative blame on someone else, no longer can the responsibility of life be easily excused. Now the finger points directly at the one kingdom who has something visible to associate with covenant, a city on a hill with a once magnificent building.

Yet, rather than point the finger and proclaiming doom and gloom, Habakkuk says, in essence, God show us who you really are. Demonstrate your reality in the midst of our trials. Be true to your identity and change how we view the world around us.

Is there anything to learn from the Minor Prophets?