The Book of Daniel, followed by the Minor Prophets, including Joel and Jonah, is the next phase of this journey through the Bible, and concludes the Old Testament.
After the series of tunnels on the bike ride, we came to a gate. In some ways this signified the next phase of the ride, kind of how Daniel transitions us from the Major to the Minor Prophets.
Major Prophet Daniel
Daniel is the last of the line-up of the Major Prophets. His book is shorter than the two that precede it. Rather than start with visions as Jeremiah and Ezekiel did, Daniel starts with a narrative which for me makes it easier to follow.
2 Kings connects to Major Prophets
As with the other Major Prophets, Daniel’s opening verses help us place it in the time of the kings. Just an aside, I think when I first read through 1 and 2 Kings I slogged through them. Since then I have referred back to 2 Kings often as I look for the connecting points to the Prophets.
Daniel
The Book of Daniel gives a bit of this young man’s back story before he begins to interpret the dreams of a king. The second half of this book consists of Daniel’s own dreams and their interpretations.
I appreciate that God gave Daniel (and us) the interpretation of the dreams. I’m not always quick to catch the vision of what Scripture says. I’m thankful when God spells it out for me.
Trestle
A series of trestles followed the gate on the bike ride. If you recall from my mention of Isaiah, you might remember my first experience with a trestle was rather tentative. I could barely look over the edge. By the time we reached the one with the creek I was leaning over the side.
Minor Prophets Joel Jonah
Having made it through the Major Prophets, this look into the Minor Prophets was somewhat easier. The Minor Prophets like Joel and Jonah are shorter in length, but the messages God gave each of them still pack a punch.
Message
The Minor Prophets are a mixed bag of visions which refers not only to what message God revealed through each prophet, but also how God gave instructions to each of them. Often the prophecy that God revealed was a warning if things didn’t change.
Joel
Imagery of a locust plague is found in Joel. If you think about the passage in Exodus 10 that describes the first mention of a locust plague, you can get a sense of how terrifying this warning was.
Acts
Joel is also quoted in the book of Acts during Pentecost. (See Acts 2:16-18) Here is the passage that originates in Joel:
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:28-29 NIV
Acts is in the New Testament and follows the Gospels. Joel is just one place in Scripture that establishes a connection between the Old and New Testament.
Jonah
If you want a good grasp on a Minor Prophet, read Jonah. His story is familiar and only four chapters long. It walks through God’s call for Jonah to deliver a message of warning in Nineveh and what transpires when he ultimately does. There’s a whole lot more in the middle, but these are the book-ends of this narrative.
Minor Prophets
Here are the names of the Minor Prophets:
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Malachi
Malachi concludes the Minor Prophets and the Old Testament.
Congratulations! If you’ve been riding along you just made it through the Old Testament!
I still had a good portion of the bike ride to go, but this is certainly a milestone on the journey through the Bible.
Catching up?
A bike and the Bible – Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel – part 12
A bike and the Bible – Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah – part 11