Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Amos 2 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Moab is punished for her aggression against Edom. This could be important for times when we think it isn’t a big deal to murder sinners. After all, they are sinners! The temptation to think of sin as sin only when it concerns God or His people can be great. Moab’s punishmentContinueContinue reading “Amos 2 Commentary”

Amos 1 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com We have a series of judgments against Israel’s neighbors. Up first is Aram or Syria. Syria ravaged Israel’s tribes east of the Jordan. The LORD God had mentioned it to Elisha when Hazael had gone to see the prophet in Damascus. For his part, Hazael had responded, “How could your servant,ContinueContinue reading “Amos 1 Commentary”

Joel 3 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Chapter 3 brings together a couple of key thoughts: the planned punishment of the nations and the restoration of God’s people. And there are layers of application. One thought focuses on actual historic events in Joel’s immediate future. Another thought focuses on recurring ‘judgments’ on the nations throughout the ages. YetContinueContinue reading “Joel 3 Commentary”

Joel 2 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Joel likens the locust attack to a military attack! The effect is the same. It is the judgment that the LORD rains on sinful humanity. Yes, it is this attack here, the attack of locusts that devastated Egypt during Moses’ time, or the attack of Revelation 9. The prophet puts allContinueContinue reading “Joel 2 Commentary”

Joel 1 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com There is an attack of locusts in the land. Verse 20 suggests the presence of a problem bigger than the locust attack: a drought and consequently a famine. Through the great prophet Jeremiah, the LORD included natural disasters and plagues on the list of punishments for Judah’s idolatry. It is littleContinueContinue reading “Joel 1 Commentary”

Hosea 14 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Hosea closes beautifully with chapter 14. We hear 3 voices. The prophet speaks first. Let Israel return to the LORD. But how? Let Israel return to the LORD with the following words: Take away our sin, accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers. Assyria won’t save us; horses won’tContinueContinue reading “Hosea 14 Commentary”

Hosea 13 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Where is your king that he may save you? Verse 10a. Hosea references a time when the people rejected the rule of God over them. They wanted to be like the other nations around them. They wanted a human king over them. In a mocking way, Hosea asks what has becomeContinueContinue reading “Hosea 13 Commentary”

Hosea 12 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Hosea digs deeper into the history of the nation. The foundations are shaky. Jacob is a trickster from the womb. Sin is acquired but also inborn. Jacob is sinful even before he can consciously make decisions! As a grown man, Jacob tries to get the best of God. But God wouldContinueContinue reading “Hosea 12 Commentary”

Hosea 11 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com There are few places in the holy script where the LORD’s confusing name is as pronounced as in this chapter. Justice and compassion collide heads on. You don’t know what to pick! What will happen to Israel, punishment or restoration? What comes out top, justice or compassion? Israel will pay forContinueContinue reading “Hosea 11 Commentary”

Hosea 10 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Hosea references Israel’s extreme wickedness at Gibeah. Judges 19. It is never a story you want to read again! Civil war ensued. One tribe was nearly wiped out! Is the LORD spelling out a similar sentence for Ephraim, Israel? The so-called people of God are nothing but a group of idolatersContinueContinue reading “Hosea 10 Commentary”