Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
"Amos painted equally interesting headlines for the Northern Kingdom (Israel), to whom he proclaimed God's message. He announced God's capture and punishment of each of the nations surrounding Israel. You can hear Israel shout, “Amen!” as the prophet calls the name of each nation. Then the prophet added one more name to the list—Israel. God's people find themselves on the list of God's most-wanted enemies." - Trent Butler
The Book of Obadiah is prophecy concerning the divine judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel. The text consists of a single chapter, divided into 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible.
"Micah [was] an unsophisticated young man from the Judean countryside, he never imagined he would rub shoulders with kings, prophets, and priests. He certainly did not expect that he would be God's servant to influence the history of his country. But God sent him to preach, and he obeyed." - Trent Butler
"Nahum's message is one of judgment but also one of hope and deliverance for God's people. The Northern Kingdom (ten northern tribes) had been totally annihilated by Assyria. Over fifty thousand captives had been dragged away from their homes to other lands. Judah (the two tribes in the south) survived but had lived “under the thumb” of Assyria for a hundred years. Now God promised that soon their oppressor would be destroyed." - Stephen Miller
"Habakkuk came face-to-face with some of life's mysteries as well. In this little prophecy we will come to learn more about the ways of God and our attitude in every circumstance of life." Stephen Miller
Although Zephaniah lived more than twenty-six hundred years ago, his prophecy contains a timely message for our modern world. God does not change. He is a jealous God who demands that we worship him alone and a holy God who requires that we be holy. He is merciful and forgives, but unrepentant sin will bring his judgment. For the penitent God promises a glorious future.” – Stephen Miller
“The prophet Haggai also talked about commitment. He called on his fellow Jews in ancient Israel to commit themselves to serve the Lord. Today’s believers should heed Haggai’s call as well. Planet Earth is in chaos, and its only hope is Christ.” – Stephen Miller
“God does not always act in such an unusual manner, but he is always concerned for the welfare of his children. This is the message of the first two chapters of the Book of Zechariah. In these chapters, God expresses his concern for the helpless and oppressed people of ancient Judah. Zechariah begins with a call to repentance (which the people heed) and follows with three fascinating visions, each conveying in some manner God's care for his people. Zechariah's message of God's care was written not only for the Jews of twenty-five hundred years ago, but for believers today.” - Stephen Miller
