Nahum

"The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings” (Nahum 2:3–4).

“Could anybody have described an automobile better than that before there was such a thing as an automobile? Certainly they travel like the lightning, and they look like torches—especially in the evening when the lights are on—and they jostle against each other. If you want a demonstration of that, just go to one of the body repair shops and see how many of them come in all bruised!

“The thing that I liked about that particular passage of scripture is that it describes the day of the Lord’s preparation. We live in that day. Five hundred years ago this prophecy could not have come true, but today there is no other answer for that prophecy than an automobile. The importance of the prophecy is that it describes the day of his preparation.” (Elder LeGrand Richards, Ensign, May 1980)

Days to Read: 1

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I was almost going to call this book “Na-ho-hum” before I read the passage above! To me it seemed same-old, same-old, meaning we’ve heard all of this before. Nahum speaks about what the earth will be like at the Second Coming. Apparently we will have automobiles (obviously, since we have them…). I wonder if the people in Nahum’s time were a little bit confused. (“No way, Nahum. There’s no such thing as chariots with lights that go that fast…).

Anyway, my two favorite passages in the book are chapter 1 verse 3 and 7. Verse three states that the “Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked” and verse 7 says, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Very comforting, indeed. No wonder in the Bible Dictionary it states that Nahum means Consoler.

Do you ever wonder what these prophets are like? We know nothing about Nahum except the three short pages he writes. A seminary teacher told me once that he was the prophet for the people of Judah, in the south, whatever that means. When I read that he was “consoler,” and
then those comforting scriptures, it made believe that he was a kind man, reminding me of President Hinckley. If you read these short chapters, you will also find some poetry. Some of the writings are very beautiful, something I would picture President Monson quoting or something.

Definitely not “ho-hum.”

Next up: Joshua chapter 1

Jonah

“If your family life seems to be sailing on stormy seas, could it be that one of you—a Jonah in some ways—is making the storm rage?” (Ensign, July 1989)

Days to read: 1
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We all know the story of Jonah and the Whale. It’s a simple story, but-WOW- did I learn a lot this time reading it!

First of all, when the scriptures described the raging storm, I felt like that was my life! It really hit home! And to think that Jonah was asleep during the storm. I’m assuming he felt just fine about his decision to go to Tarshish instead of Ninevah, like the Lord commanded him. And then I read the quote above from the Ensign and really had to think hard about the decisions I’m making and whether I can do better.

I also learned that Jonah had an anger problem. After he repented and went to Ninevah and the people there repented, the Lord decided not to destroy them. Boy was Jonah mad! He thought it would better if he died than to live. He decided to sit under a tree (like a stubborn mule I suppose) and just watch what the Lord would do to that city. The Lord asks, “doest thou well to be angry?” (ch. 4:4). The Lord provided a gourd in the tree to give Jonah shade, for which Jonah was grateful. But then the next day God made a worm to smote the gourd and it withered! So Jonah was mad again! Does this seem like my life or what! I’m mad because of something or other, get grateful again for the temporary gourd, get mad again when it falls the very next day, and on and on and on…
The Lord again asks Jonah whether it’s good idea to be angry.

My goal is to not be like Jonah in the anger department. It does not do us well to be angry!

Up next: Nahum

Habukkuk

"We are sometimes tempted with Habakkuk to cry, 'O Lord, how long shall I cry,' for many do not hear. And then we remember the Lord’s reply to Habakkuk, 'I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.'" (Spencer W. Kimball)

Days to read: 1
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Habakkuk is really quite simple: chapter 1 he moans and complains; chapter 2 the Lord tells him to buck up; chapter 3 Habakkuk praises the Lord.

That pretty much sums up my life.

And, like Habakkuk says, “The Lord my God is my strength.” Ch 3:19)

Amen!

Up Next: Jonah

Obadiah

Joseph Smith taught that baptisms for the dead fulfilled the words of Obadiah wherein he referred to saviors on Mount Zion. (Ensign, December 1981)

Days to read: 1
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Do you see a trend here? I’m going from short chapter to shorter to shortest. I have found, though, that instead of going from easy to easier to easiest, it is the complete opposite of that.

I believe that Obadiah is prophesying of the punishment of someone (Edom?) for something bad they did. (Vague, huh?) Anyway, he talks of Edom’s pride, how they rejoiced when Judah was destroyed, stole stuff, and prevented Judah’s escape. Obadiah says that “as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee” (vs. 15). He then goes on to say that “upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance” (vs.17). The last verse of the book discusses saviours upon Mount Zion, which the Bible Dictionary refers to as the “doctrine of salvation for the dead.” In D&C 128:14-15, it discusses the ordinances for the dead and how we can’t be saved without them, and they can’t be saved without us.

I believe in the saving ordinances of the dead. Obadiah is proof that it’s always been part of the gospel.

Up next: Habakkuk

Time Out!

You all know I'm not a scriptorian, right? (I don't even know how to spell it, let alone be it!) This blog is purely what I think, not what's necessarily doctorine. Please don't quote me on any of it, and please feel free to correct my if I'm wrong, and also feel free to add your own insights.

Okay, back to business...

Joel

“The Lord’s Spirit is being poured out upon all inhabitants of the earth, precisely as the Prophet Joel foretold. His prophecy was of such significance that the angel Moroni reaffirmed it to the Prophet Joseph Smith.” (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 1990)

Days to read: 1
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The Bible Dictionary says that the “occasion of the prophecy was a severe visitation of drought and locusts. He assures the people that on repentance they will again receive the blessings of God.” Joel paints a very vivid picture of the famine. Chapter 2 discusses what the earth will be like during the Second Coming: the bad things, what we can do to prepare and the good things about it.

I learned from this book that if we turn to the Lord with all our heart, fast, and repent, then we will not be afraid when the Second Coming arrives. We will be glad, never be ashamed, and be delivered. I also liked how he talked about the Valley of Decision.

This book started out very depressing, to the point that I almost gave up, as Joel described the famine in great detail, but ended on a positive note when we realize what will happen if we are righteous.

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Next up: Obadiah

Ruth

“A good example of the kinds of real circumstances good people face in this life can be found in the Old Testament in the very short, five-page book of Ruth. Would you ever have expected the small book of Ruth to foretell such a great event?” (Aileen H. Clyde)

Days to Read:1

I’ll be honest: the reason I picked Ruth as the first book was because it’s short. I didn’t realize until I read it that I confused Ruth with Esther. I thought they were one and the same.

Ruth’s story begins as her father-in-law died, followed by her husband and brother-in-law. Those three were the only males in the family. That left Ruth, her mother-in-law, and sister-in-law alone during a famine. Ruth’s mother-in-law told her daughters that they could leave and go to their own families again. Orpah, the sister-in-law, did. But Ruth answered and said “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

I learned from Ruth that she was kind, hard working, unselfish, virtuous, loyal and probably most important, she trusted in the Lord (Ruth 2:12). She showed her mother-in-law that the Lord blesses them (Ruth 2:20). In chapter 4:15, Boaz says that because of Ruth’s love, she is “better to thee than seven sons.” Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who begat Jesse, who begat David, whose line Jesus came from. I had no idea that Jesus came from Ruth’s line.

Ruth is a great example to me now. I hope I can remember her obedience, her virtue, her hard work and perseverance. I hope I can trust in the Lord as she did through famine and loneliness.

Next up: Book of Joel