Christian Worker (Page 3)
The Book of Zechariah – Neal Pollard
The author of the longest book in the library of the Minor Prophets is identified in the first book of his prophecy as “the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo” (1:1). Only Zephaniah’s lineage is more exhaustively traced than Zechariah’s. His name means “God remembers,” and this takes on significance when the message of the book is considered. Studying Ezra and Nehemiah, one can deduce that Zechariah is of a priestly lineage (Ezra 5:1; 6:14; Neh. 12:4,16). Matthew 23:35 reveals…
The Book of Habakuk – Chase Green
Little is known about the prophet Habakkuk, whose name is only mentioned twice in Scripture (Hab. 1:1 and 3:1) and of whom no biographical information is given. His prophecy, set shortly before the time of the Babylonian captivity, is unique and interesting in that it includes a questioning of God and also a song in its final chapter. The book opens in chapter 1 with Habakkuk questioning God: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?…
The Book of Nahum – Cody Westbrook
The name “Nahum” means comfort, compassion, or consolation. No doubt, the ancient Ninevites would find that ironic. Nahum has been called “The Single Minded Prophet” because his one topic was the destruction of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh. No comfort or consolation for them could be found in that message. Nahum wrote just before the destruction of Nineveh at the hand of the Medes and Persians in 612 BC. He was a contemporary with Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk. Ironically, Nahum was…
The Book of Micah – Cliff Goodwin
Dark times prevail, spiritually speaking, when God’s people allow themselves to become distracted and preoccupied with economic prosperity and political maneuvering. Goals and priorities become increasingly temporal in nature—tied to this present life and all the circumstantial trappings of it. Mix in military threats from surrounding enemies, and God’s people can be tempted to take matters in their own hands and forget about the power of their God. Such was the case in Micah’s day. The Assyrian Empire was the…
From the Director’s Desk (September 2024) – Trent Kennedy
The Case for the Local Church One of our second-year students recently asked me how he or any other new graduate could be most useful in the Kingdom. I suppose that is a matter of opinion that demands awareness, wisdom, discernment, and consideration for each individual given their personal abilities and situation. However, I think the answer I gave him could be easily applied to any new preacher, old preacher, or non-preacher. I told him that I thought the best…
The Book of Jonah – Ross Hafner
Jonah is likely the best-known of all the minor prophets because of the amazing verse at the end of chapter one of his book. “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jon. 1:17). Typically this book is looked at from an apologetics angle with questions like, “Was it a fish or a whale?” or “Could someone live in this sea creature for…
The Book of Obadiah – Anthony Scherffius
Esau was born to his father Isaac and his mother Rebecca (Gen. 25:19-34) around 1900-1800 B.C. Through Esau would come the great nation of Edom. In fact, the Edomites would grow rapidly, developing kings and chiefs long before the Israelites (Gen. 36:31-39). As they gained power over hundreds of years, they would grow in wealth, power, military strength, and most of all, pride. Obadiah, who prophesied around (848-841 B.C.) during the reign of Jehoram, king of Israel, speaks about the…
The Book of Amos – Josh Walker
“Prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12). This powerful phrase, delivered by the herdsman (Amos 1:1, 7:14, 15), is a stark warning to Israel. It signifies God’s fervent attentiveness to justice and His impending judgment. Amos, a herdsman who became a fearless prophet, delivered this message during the reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam. His divine message, which took him from Tekoa to Bethel (Amos 7:10-17), put him at odds with Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Yet, Amos remained steadfast, proclaiming…
The Book of Joel – Randy Robinson
The prophet Joel (Jehovah is God) is, in some ways, typical of other Old Testament prophets and yet is unique among the prophets as well. We know nothing of him personally other than he was the son of Pethuel (sincerity of God), of whom we likewise know nothing. The 73-verse prophecy of Joel is divided neatly in half. In Joel 1:1-2:17 (37 verses) it is the prophet who speaks and from Joel 2:18-3:21 (36 verses) it is Jehovah who does…
The Book of Hosea – Joey Davis
Hosea was a prophet from the Northern Kingdom who was commissioned by God to prophesy to said kingdom (Hos. 4:17; 6:4). Hosea’s work is peculiar in many ways, but perhaps the feature that stands out the most is the comparative use of Hosea’s personal life as it typifies God’s relationship with the nation of Israel. Some have called Hosea the prophet with the broken heart. Consider God’s words through the prophet: “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can…
The Book of Daniel – Cody Westbrook
How does one remain faithful to God when surrounded by people and practices who could not possibly be more opposed to Him? What comfort is there to be found when wicked men hold positions of high authority? Such are good and relevant questions for Christians in the 21st century. Would it surprise you to learn that those questions are answered in the 12-chapter book of Daniel? About the Book The name “Daniel” means “God is my judge.” He was born…
From the Director’s Desk (August 2024) – Trent Kennedy
As you know, we have been training servants for church work since 1978. It has been said that Southwest trains more than just preachers, and that is true. We have trained missionaries to Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. We have trained Bible Class teachers who labor week-in and week-out to teach in local congregations across Texas and other states. We have trained elders from San Angelo to San Antonio, from Texarkana to Burnet, and many places in between. We…