There's never enough time to discuss everything in Sunday School that I wish we could. And that was especially true today. But we had a good discussion, and so that's ALWAYS more important than "covering" all the content. These are three books that I didn't know well, but that I have learned to love this week. And that seems true so much of this year. I love the Old Testament. It is applicable to my life. It has helped me know Jesus better. It has been a blessing to study it. It is relevant for our day.
One of my main goals for this year was to find Jesus in the Old Testament. I have. I hope I have helped others to do so as well. I've really loved teaching Sunday School. I'm excited for the New Testament next year. I love the scriptures, and they richly bless my life.
We only discussed Nahum and part of Habakkuk in Sunday School, but here are my notes about all three books and what we would have discussed if we'd had time.
Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah
All three of these books prophecy of the downfall of great and powerful cities: Babylon, Nineveh, and Jerusalem. And these prophecies were fulfilled thousands of years ago. So why is it valuable to read these prophecies today?
Follow Him: This isn’t a text that was just meant for these three cities. But that these are warnings to modern cities as well. As we discuss, I think/hope you’ll be able to draw parallels to our day. And they are also warnings to each of us personally. If we set ourselves up in opposition to God, then we will be destroyed spiritually in the same manner that they were. We can ask ourselves, “Does this describe me? What can I learn from this text as it relates to my life, my situations, and my relationship with God?
Nahum: Lived about 663-612 BC. His name means “comforter”. His writings are poetic, as are Habakkuk and Zephaniah. The book of Nahum has 7 cantos or seven verses. His prophecies are directed at Nineveh...the same city that Jonah was sent to preach to and fled. At the end of Jonah, God saves Nineveh because they repent and change. But now here, Nineveh is going to be destroyed. We also have the opportunity to choose our end.
2 Nephi 2:26-27 We can choose captivity and death or life and liberty. Our choice.
Nahum 1:1 The burden of Nahum. Two possible meanings...it could be burden meaning “prophetic exposition of divine revelation”...in other words the prophet has to give words to a divine revelation and he has the burden of putting into words what he’s learned/seen and explain it in words that people will understand (that certainly seemed to be a burden for Joseph Smith as he tried to describe the First Vision). But another possible meaning is that it is burdensome to share this message, because it is a message of destruction. And it was likely unpopular. It is a burden to share unpopular messages.
Nahum 1: 2-5 Character of God. Christ is presented as a warrior, ready to fight for His people. (Some scholars believe that Nahum had a theophany...a vision of God.)
Nahum 1: 6 We must be quickened by the Holy Ghost or we can’t stand in his presence. We must be worthy.
Nahum 1:7 Lord is a stronghold. How has He been a stronghold for you? How have you seen His goodness?
Nahum 1:8 The Assyrians would actually refer to their armies as an overrunning flood. Nahum is using pointed langauge that the Assyrians used toward their enemies. Nahum is telling them that God is stronger than their army, than their wisdom, than their rhetoric, than the fear they are causing others.
Nahum 1:15 How can we bring good tidings and publish peace?
*Missionaries. Prophets. Christ.
Quote #1: Elder Andersen gave a beautiful talk on being a peacemaker in April 2022 conference. He said, “By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching—meaning to calm, cool, or extinguish—all the fiery darts of the adversary.2
How does a peacemaker calm and cool the fiery darts? Certainly not by shrinking before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction but always void of anger or malice.... Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.8
What gives us the inner strength to cool, calm, and quench the fiery darts aimed toward the truths we love? The strength comes from our faith in Jesus Christ and our faith in His words.”
He also said that sometimes a peacemaker must remain silent. And always, a peacemaker loves others.
How have you been able to be a peacemaker? How have you been able to bring good tidings or publish peace?
Nahum 2: 1 How can we fortify ourselves?
Nahum 2: 3-4, 8, 10 Prophecy of destruction. Reminder that justice will come. Not always in the way or time that we want, but it will come. This is both a reminder of God’s mercy (look how he forgave Nineveh when they repented) but also a warning that wickedness won’t be tolerated forever. (One note...especially as I read the Book of Mormon...wickedness leads us to destroy ourselves and each other. It seems as if often God doesn’t have to destroy us...but He will let us choose to destroy ourselves is that is what we choose.
Nineveh means “house of fishes” and was known for its pools and its utilization of water. And it was destroyed by water. One Bible scholar said, “The token of its strength is now a simile for its downfall.”
*It’s interesting because God has told us that He can take our weakness and make it strength...but if we put too much trust in our strengths, then we can turn them into weaknesses.
This is poetry.
Nahum 2: 11 King of Assyria refers to himself as a lion. God and Nahum know Assyria. They know Nineveh.
Nahum 3:
Vs. 3-5 Why is Nineveh destroyed?
*violence (3)
*whoredoms, witchcrafts (4)
*wickedness (5)
Are any of these problems today?
Nahum 3: 18
Quote #2 Elder Gong taught: “Our Good Shepherd cautions that shepherds in Israel must not slumber,25 [See Nahum 3:18 nor scatter or cause the sheep to go astray,26 [See Jeremiah 23:1 50:6, 44 nor look our own way for our own gain.27 [See Isaiah 56:11 Ezekiel 34:2–6 God’s shepherds are to strengthen, heal, bind up that which is broken, bring again that which was driven away, seek that which was lost.2” This is what we’ve been called and asked to do.
Habakkuk: His name means “He that embraces” or “a wrestler”. It’s very close to a word used in Genesis meaning to unfold, clasp or embrace. In Genesis, the similar word is used to mean embracing in kinship. For example, Jacob embraces Esau, his wife, and his grandchildren. It could also make us think about...as covenant people of Israel...that we should embrace others and welcome them in. But it also relates to the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel in Genesis 32: 24. This book of Habakkuk is him wrestling with God...asking questions and seeking to understand. We have been taught that WE should engage in a wrestle with God.
Quote #3 Sheri Dew said, “Questions are not just good, they are vital because the ensuing spiritual wrestle leads to answers, to knowledge, and to revelation and also leads to greater faith.”
Yesterday, I was able to attend a devotional for the youth of our area and Elder and Sister Bednar were there. They allowed the youth to submit questions and the whole two hours was spent answering questions. But first he taught the youth that none of them could answer their questions...they need to get an answer for themselves. They need to seek, knock and ask and answers will come. The answers, he said, might come tonight or they might not come for awhile. And the answers might not always be what we want or come in the way that we want. But if we engage in seeking, asking, and knocking...if we engage in the wrestle, they will come. He also reminded the youth that they have moral agency. That as sons and daughters of God, they are agents to act and not to be acted upon. They should act to seek knowledge, to ask inspired questions that will help become a more devoted disciple of Jesus Christ.
How has asking inspired questions or wrestling with a gospel principle led you to answers, knowledge, revelation or greater faith?
Habakkuk1: 1-3 Habakkuk’s question: why do you allow violence and suffering and don’t do anything? Why do bad things happen to good people? This is a question that many have asked (and some have turned away from God when they didn’t feel the answer came in the way or time they wanted.) It is very similar to Joseph’s prayer in Liberty Jail.
Habakkuk 1: 5-7 I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe.
*For the people of that time, it would likely have been surprising that God would allow the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to destroy Israel. They are a wicked group of people, and wouldn’t God protect His covenant people. (The answer is no if they aren’t keeping the covenant.)
It also made me think, though, of President Nelson’s words in conference:
Quote #4 President Nelson said, “I assure you that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, love you. They are intimately aware of your circumstances, your goodness, your needs, and your prayers for help. Again and again, I pray for you to feel Their love for you.
Experiencing Their love is vital, as it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news. You may have had days when you wished you could don your pajamas, curl up in a ball, and ask someone to awaken you when the turmoil is over.
But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,”1 He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.”
The beginning part of the quote reminds me of Habakkuk’s question...why are you allowing so many hard things to happen? Why do you allow wickedness and violence to continue? I just want to curl up in my pjs and forget the world. But the second half reminds me of God’s answer. I”m going to work a work which ye will not believe. When I think of the miracles we have read about this year in the Old Testament (along with miracles in the Book of Mormon, D&C and Church History), I feel excited to see what is coming. I hope that I have eyes to see and that I believe.
Habakkuk 1: 12-16
Now Habakkuk knows that God will hear his prayers but he’s asking...why are you going to answer my prayers that way? Why is that the answer? The Babylonians are going to destroy your people? THey aren’t righteous. They treat people as objects, as fish they are catching in nets. Why would you use them? Do we ever feel like we can tell God HOW He should do things? How He should answer our prayers?
One thing that Elder Bednar said yesterday in the youth devotional was that we should spend less time in prayer telling God what He should do, what we want Him to do...and we should spend more time asking Him what WE should do. What does He want us to know and do? He said it would change our prayers and our lives if we would make that shift.
Habakkuk 2: 2-4
Write down the vision. It will take time but it will be fulfilled. Wait for it. Live by faith.
Habakkuk 2: 5- 6, 9, 12, 15-19 Why is Babylon destroyed?
*the word wine in verse 5 is mistranslated...it should be wealth. So the first woe is that people are profiting off of the misfortune of others. They are using interest or usury. They are accumulating wealth and are never satisfied with the wealth they have. This is not a Zion way to do things.
Vs. 9 woe to him that coveteth and gets fraudulent profits
*builds a town with blood...political arrogance. Building a monument to self on the backs of other people.
*drunkenness
*adultery/immorality/pornography
*violence
*idol worship
Habakkuk 2:20 ends with God reminding Habakkuk that He is in his holy temple, he’s answered his questions, be still. Trust God.
Habakkuk 3: Sometimes I really enjoy reading other translations of the Bible. Sometimes the language becomes a little clearer. While we use the KJV in Gospel Doctrine, and in church classes and teaching, I find that if a passage feels difficult to understand, sometimes reading a different translation can be helpful. I use the website Bible Hub as it has many translations.
Habakkuk 3: 1-2 KJV
Who has Habakkuk 3: 1-2 in the New Living Translation?
2I have heard all about you, LORD.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.
I just love the poetic nature of it...and it feels like something I would say to God. I’m filled with awe. Help me. Remember your mercy.
Habakkuk 3: 13, 17-19 in KJV
Habakkuk 3: 13 in the NLT:
13You went out to rescue your chosen people,
to save your anointed ones.
You crushed the heads of the wicked
Habakkuk 3: 17-19 in KJV
Habakkuk 3: 17-19 in English Standard Version
17Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Zephaniah: Prophet to Judah about 639 –608 BC. He was likely a contemporary of Lehi, Nahum, Jeremiah, and possibly Habakkuk. He preached to the Jews during the reign of righteous King Josiah. His primary message was to repent.
Zephaniah 1:2-3 Reminder of God’s power...and His judgment
Zephaniah 1:6 Could this be describing us? Are we turned back from the Lord (makes me think of Lot’s wife)...do we ever fail to seek or enquire from Him to get help with our challenges?
Zephaniah 1: 9, 12 (Do we see people around us that are apathetic? People that are deceitful? People that are violent?
Zephaniah 1: 7, 14-16
President Nelson said: “But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,”1 He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.
Nonetheless, we are presently living in what surely is a most complicated time in the history of the world.”
Quote #5 President Nelson said, “As I have stated before, the gathering of Israel is the most important work taking place on earth today. One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ.”
Quote #6 October 2021 Christophel Golden said, “For those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, more than ever before we are required to confront the reality that we are getting ever closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. True, great difficulties yet await those on the earth at His return, but in this regard, the faithful need not fear.
Now I quote for a moment from the Church’s Gospel Topics under the heading “Second Coming of Jesus Christ”:
“When the Savior comes again, He will come in power and glory to claim the earth as His kingdom. His Second Coming will mark the beginning of the Millennium.
“The Second Coming will be a fearful, mournful time for the wicked, but it will be a day of peace for the righteous. The Lord declared:
“‘They that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
“‘And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.
“‘For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver’ (Doctrine and Covenants 45:57–59).”10
Quote #7 Elder Christofferson in April 2019 said, “This great and last dispensation is building steadily to its climax—Zion on earth being joined with Zion from above at the Savior’s glorious return. The Church of Jesus Christ is commissioned to prepare—and is preparing—the world for that day. And so, this Easter, let us truly celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that it portends: His return to reign for a thousand years of peace, a righteous judgment and perfect justice for all, the immortality of all who ever lived upon this earth, and the promise of eternal life. Christ’s Resurrection is the ultimate assurance that all will be put right. Let us be about building up Zion to hasten that day.”
Quote #8 Elder Maxwell said, “We must not underestimate, however, the difficulty of the last days. Joel and Zephaniah both speak of the last days as being “a day of … gloominess.” Joel 2:2 Zeph. 1:15 The coming decades will be times of despair. Why? Because, as Moroni said, despair comes of iniquity. (See Moro. 10:22 The more iniquity, the more despair. And unless there is widespread repentance, despair will both deepen and spread—except among those who have gospel gladness.”
Zephaniah 2:1 gather together....why is gathering so important? Why do we need to gather?
**Zephaniah 2: 3 Seek the Lord. Seek meekness.
Moroni warned, “none is acceptable before God save the meek and the lowly in heart” (Moroni 7:44).
Quote #9 Elder Maxwell said, “The meek are filled with awe and wonder with regard to God and His purposes in the universe. At the same time, the meek are not awe-struck by the many frustrations of life; they are more easily mobilized for eternal causes and less easily immobilized by the disappointments of the day.
Because they make fewer demands of life, the meek are less easily disappointed. They are less concerned with their entitlements than with their assignments.
...When we are truly meek, we do not engage in shoulder-shrugging acceptance but shoulder-squaring—in order that we might better bear the burdens of life and others.”
Zephaniah 3: 1-4 The things that will lead to the wars and rumors of wars in the last days:
*filth and pollution (possibly literal but also likely spiritual filth)
*obey not God’s voice, receive not correction, trust not in the Lord, drew not near to God
*false prophets that pollute the temple and corrupt the law
Zephaniah 3: 5 reminder of God’s character...He’s in our midst. He will not do iniquity. He brings justice, fails not.
Millenium:
Zephaniah 3:9 In the Millenium all will speak a pure language and will call upon the Lord and serve Him.
3: 12-13 meek people, trust in God, won’t do iniquity or speak lies, none shall make afraid
3: 14 sing, be glad, rejoice
3:15 Lord takes away judgments (punishments), casts out our enemy, Lord is in our midst, no more evil
3:16 Two headquarters of Savior: Jerusalem and Zion
3:17 Lord thy God in the midst, mighty, he will save, he will rejoice over thee, HE will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing!!
3:19 Undo all that afflicts you. Save. Gather.
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