Day 34
Here ends the Hebrew Scriptures and Apocrypha! Wow! On to the Christian Scriptures.
The final four minor prophets offer what I’ve come to expect. Different takes on judgement, always room for redemption in the end, and little unique bits here and there. The tone of each prophet is where we learn more about them. Sadly, other details remain few and far between.
Zechariah stands out in this collection. There are elaborate visions with red horses, chariots representing the wind, flying scrolls of judgement, and an almost apocalyptic tone. And yet, reading Haggai, I know the temple is being rebuilt. So, I have to wonder, is this apocalyptic tone just for Jerusalem or is it a warning of future punishments? And I don’t meat to sound like I take this prophecy as a factual oracle. No, quite the contrary. The role of prophets is to call out the people and warn them where their present course could lead them. For instance, the science-denying, conspiracy theorist, white nationalist, and alt right segments of our population deserve a prophecy or two. Though they’ve had their time to shine recently, their way leads to suffering. I won’t say how. But I know that suffering includes them.
That’s less a prophecy and more stating what’s clearly available to us. I like to imagine the prophets were like that, too. “Oh, so you’re going to do this, huh, Israel? Well, look at what you’re doing to yourselves!”
I’m certainly rethinking the meaning of prophecy and trying to reclaim that word for the present moment. American culture in 2021 is exacting upon itself suffering after suffering. Where are our prophets? When will they be listened to?
One Word for Zephaniah: Hoot
One Word for Haggai: Abide
One Word for Zechariah: Written
One Word for Malachi: Messenger
Parts of the Text That Stayed With Me
- Zeph 2:14, Owls a’ Hootin’. Nothing else to say other than taking notice of the owls!
- Hag 2:5b, The Dude Abides. God is gracious here in reminding the people that his spirit abides among them and to not fear.
- Hag 2:28, Look, the Temple! The temple foundation is being rebuilt. I guess that explains the more hopeful tone of this book.
- Zech 3, Oh Satan. I think Satan is mentioned in this chapter of Zechariah more than he is in the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures combined. Take note of that. Satan is hardly a big deal.
- Zech 5, Flying Scrolls. We’ve had prophets eating scrolls, so why not have flying ones?
- Zech 7:9-10, True Judgement. “…render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.” The heart of the Hebrew Scriptures right there.
- Mal 1:2, Love of God. “I have loved you, says the Lord.”
- Mal 3:1, Coming of Messenger. A great messenger is coming, who we learn is Elijah in 4:5.
- Mal 3:16, Remembrance. All this talk of judgement and God finally says, “Oh, by the way, I remember the righteous.”
This post is part of a lager series where I read the entirety of Hebrew & Christian scriptures in 45 days. Take a look a the original post for more info, as well as links to other reflections on this journey.