Jeremiah 39: Reward For Faithfulness

From time to time in the Bible, we see God miraculously deliver a righteous person in the midst of an evil lot that is getting punished for their wickedness.  This demonstrates that God is often looking to provide a reward for faithfulness.

Habakkuk 3: The Prescription For The Prosperity Gospel

Some people mistakenly believe that following God is all about the rewards we can amass in this world and in the one to come.  Such greedy, short-sighted thinking misses the point entirely!  There is much more to a life of faith than mercenary means.

Habakkuk 2: The Righteous Shall Live By Faith

"Look at the proud!  Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith" (vs. 4).

Habakkuk 1: When The Wicked Prevail

Habakkuk's questioning of God is rather startling for a Hebrew prophet.  As he foresees the coming Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk struggles to comprehend how God could bear to use such a wicked nation against His own people.

Psalm 125: God's Relationship With The Righteous

The Psalmist who composed Psalm 125 envisions God as a champion on behalf of His righteous people.  Because he "surrounds his people" like the mountains surround Jerusalem (vs. 2), they will be as unmovable as Mount Zion in Jerusalem (vs. 1).  The Psalmist believes that God is on the side of the good, as revealed in such statements as "Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts" (vs. 4).  In contrast to the wicked, who God will lead away with the evildoers, the righteous can count on His presence and protection in their lives.  That is simply the best state of affairs one can hope for in this life.  Surely let us say, along with the Psalmist, "Peace be upon Israel!" (vs. 5)

II Kings 25: The Wrath Of Nebuchadnezzar (And God)

Judgment day arrives for Jerusalem, and it comes with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army.

II Kings 24: Keeping Track Of The "J"s

A lot of history can happen in a short period of time.  A quick succession of kings ascended to the throne of Judah before and during its defeat to Babylon.  It can be hard to keep track of them because several of their names begin with the letter "J".