In this recurring series, we are walking in the story of scripture, noticing the intricate way God’s story is woven together and shines a light on our own stories. In the last two years, we have walked in the beginning (Genesis 1-11), the blessing (Genesis 12-50), the exodus, the wilderness, the Promised Land, and with the kings.
Now we will continue walking in this era of the kings of Israel and Judah, but we will do so from the perspective of the prophets. We will consider the indictments, judgments, and instruction delivered through the prophets. What do we learn about God and how should we hear these accusations and calls for repentance? We’ll pause with them in the messy middle, and then we will consider the messages of hope. How can we understand God in these messages and lean more deeply into the One who offers us a new heart?
Week 1: Walking With the Prophets
This week, we started our journey through the prophets. Dr. John Walton provided important guidance for how we should read, understand, and respond to the messages of the prophets. As we walk with the prophets, we are invited to stay attentive to their message rather than focusing on fulfillment.
Kingdom Practice
In our practice, we spent time considering the four kinds of messages delivered by the prophets (indictment, judgment, instruction, and aftermath/hope). Which one do you feel like you need most in this season, or is there one you feel God is inviting you to spend time considering? This week, let’s continue to consider and chew on that message.
Week 2: Injustice (Amos)
This week, we leaned into the message God delivered to Israel through the prophet Amos. Injustice is one of the consistent indictments of Israel and Judah in the prophets. The message of Amos shows us that faithful worship cannot be separated from justice.
Kingdom Practice
This week, we want to continue walking in the message of Amos with the practice of scripture meditation. Let’s walk together meditating on Amos 5:24, “Let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” If it is helpful, you can use this guide to scripture meditation.
Week 3: Idolatry (Hosea)
This week, we examined the indictment of idolatry that God delivers to the Israelites through the prophet Hosea. Casey invited us to notice how “idolatry begins when fear enters into the equation.” Our fear leads us to run after what we hope will solve it, but what we really need is intimacy. Because intimacy with God chases away fear.
Kingdom Practice
This week, we want to continue walking in the message of Hosea with the practice of scripture meditation. Let’s walk together meditating on Hosea 6:6, “I want you to shoew love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to knwo me more than I want burnt offerings.” If it is helpful, you can use this guide to scripture meditation.
Week 4: Not By Strength (Ezra/Nehemiah)
This week, we considered the Israelite’s messy return from exile. They are back in Jerusalem, but the prophetic expectations are not fully met. How do we see ourselves in this story of partially met expectations? How does it show our need for God’s Spirit to move, and how does this reveal our longing in the season of Advent?
Kingdom Practice
This week, we want to continue walking in the message of Ezra/Nehemiah with the practice of scripture meditation. Let’s walk together meditating on a verse from Zechariah, a prophet from the timeperiod of Ezra/Nehemiah. “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” If it is helpful, you can use this guide to scripture meditation.
Week 5: We Need New Hearts (Ezekiel 36 and 37)
This week, Rebecca invited us to consider the Israelites and how they can possibly move forward when their patterns of brokenness go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. It turns out, sin has always been a heart issue, and God’s solution is to give humanity new hearts.
Kingdom Practice
This week, we want to continue walking in the message of Ezekiel and God’s promise to exchange our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. We will do so with the practice of scripture meditation. Let’s walk together meditating on a passage from Psalm 95 “Today, if only you would hear his voice, “Do not harden your hearts.” If it is helpful, you can use this guide to scripture meditation.
Week 6: Needs, Desires, and Joy (Isaiah 55)
This week, Kellye (Fabian) Story invited us to consider the words of God through the prophet Isaiah (55:1-3). How are we being invited through the prophet to come to God, the One who satisfies our needs, our desires, and brings us joy?
Kingdom Practice
This week, we want to continue walking in God’s invitation from Isaiah 55:1-3. We will do so with the practice of scripture meditation. Let’s walk together meditating on this passage. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.” If it is helpful, you can use this guide to scripture meditation.
Week 7: We Need a New Creation (Isaiah 35)
This week, This week, we finished our walk with the prophets and considered the ultimate hope offered in the text, God’s garden dream renewed once and for all in our world.
Kingdom Practice
This week, we want to continue walking in God’s garden dream from Isaiah 35:4, when God will “right wrongs, order chaos, heal sickness, and restore life to its rightful order.” We will do so with the practice of scripture meditation. Let’s walk together meditating on this passage. If it is helpful, you can use this guide to scripture meditation.
Additional Resources
Books
The Lost World of the Prophets by John Walton
The Lost World of the Torah by John Walton
Wisdom for Faithful Reading by John Walton
The Presence of God by J. Ryan Lister
Amos: The Shepherd Prophet by Allan Harman
Articles
Hosea and Amos: Two Sides of Covenant Failure
Guide to the Book of Amos
Videos
Bible Project Overviews You can find overviews of each one of the prophets here.
Amos Overview
Hosea Overview
Ezra/Nehemiah Overview
Ezekiel Overview
Isaiah Overview
Justice a Bible Project video about the Biblical theme of justice
Songs
Something Bright, Something Shining by Jon and Valerie Guerra
Lord Remind Me by Jon and Valerie Guerra
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