This Week’s Prophetic Readings
By Editor
We begin the week's reading with the last chapter of Joel, which very clearly points out the days in which we live, in its call for preparation to war. There is also clearly indicated in the prophecy the state of decision to which the world is brought, which will involve the multitudes of earth, after which comes the great judgment-day. Micah and Habakkuk are also included in this week's readings. Micah wrote in about the year 750, and Habakkuk 625, before Christ. Micah was therefore contemporary with Isaiah, a prophet of Judah in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. But he prophesied not only regarding Judah, but Israel as well. He tells of the straitened condition to which Israel had been brought on account of their sins, predicts the coming of Christ, even to the very town in which He should be born, Bethlehem, and closes with the wonderful chapter on God's mercy and forgiveness, and the blessings which He would bestow upon His people if they would but return to Him. Light is thrown on Revelation 12. There is one thought which we would impress upon the reader in the consideration of all these prophecies: doubtless the prophet gave very many more messages than are recorded, and brought home to Israel of old very many present duties, present reproofs, messages of present deliverance at that time. These would be of no particular benefit to us; therefore they are not left on record. God has left on record that which was not only of profit to them there, but which is preeminently a lesson for later days; so that "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." We omit the prophecy of Nahum, not because it is not important, but in order to shorten our readings for the year. Habakkuk warns against Babylon, and closes with a psalm of wonderful majesty and beauty.