Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

I’m Jemima L Yeggs, a.k.a. Stinker.  Pink Lady Apple Yeggs, my landlady and my auntie, wants to read about how younger people, especially couples respond to what the Bible says.  And she wants to know how God is at work at Lily the Pink.

Mary, Arabella, and I were in our “green room.”

Stormie and Joan were back on the swooning couch talking to Ethan, but like last week, most of it was gibberish.

Arabella asked, “Why are we having class today?”

I replied, “Arabella, it would be silly to have Sunday school any other day of the week.”

Arabella grumbled, “But for these three prophets, what’s to talk about?”

I turned to B.B., “Did you hear that, B.B.?  Arabella will not have anything to say this week!”

Arabella groaned, “I didn’t say that!  I always have something to say.”

B.B. moaned, “We are so well aware of that, Fireball.”  Mary told the little ones it was time for class.

Arabella held the door and bowed.

Mary gathered Ethan into her arms, and I herded the two girls into the den.

Mary led us in prayer, since Rev. Joseph was preaching during my father’s vacation.

Emmett and the choir sang Nahum Song  – Nineveh’s Destruction.

I asked, “Mike was great, as usual.  And I guess we don’t need to read the book of Nahum now.  You covered a lot more than we were going to discuss.”

Emmett laughed, “Anytime that I can help.”

Samuel asked, “Where are we searching for Jesus today, Aunt Jemima?”

I smiled, “We are looking at Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.  Arabella, do you need Mr. Dictionary?”

Arabella nodded, “I think they had to sing the song.  We need to invite Kanok so we can have a Kanok, I think a gesundheit is in order.  And the usual Who, When, Where stuff.”

Easy said, “Even for you, Arabella, that was weird.  What were you talking about?“

Arabella shrugged, “Simple, Mr. Dictionary, No-hum so they must sing the song.  The next prophet is Have a Kanok.  And didn’t you sneeze, Aunt Jemima?”

I growled, “I said Nahum, not No-hum.  Habakkuk, which has nothing about my darling cousin Kanok.  And Zephaniah.  No, I did not sneeze.”

Arabella smiled, “Thank you for the clarifications, now Mr. Dictionary has work to do.”

Easy smiled, “Nahum – Identified as an Elkoshite.  ‘A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite..’ (Nahum 1:1). But the experts cannot find who were the Elkoshites. Nothing else.  Habakkuk – nothing known.  ‘The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received.’ (Habakkuk 1:1).  Zephaniah is a bit interesting.  ‘The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:’ (Zephaniah 1:1).  According to his introduction, he was a descendant of King Hezekiah.  He was a prophet during the reign of Josiah.  All three prophets prophesied in Judah.”

Easy took in a deep breath, “Other than Zephaniah, we have to use things in their prophecies to figure out when they performed their prophetic duties.  ’Are you better than Thebes, situated on the Nile, with water around her? The river was her defense, the waters her wall.’ (Nahum 3:8) and then the previous verse ’All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins—who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort you?”’ (Nahum 3:7). Those give us a window for the book of Nahum.  Thebes was destroyed by King Ashurbanipal in 663BC.  And Nineveh was destroyed in 612BC by the Medes and Babylon.  Nahum refers to Thebes as having been dealt with, and Nineveh was in the future.  Nineveh repented after Jonah preached there.  But they returned to their evil ways.  They were used to punish Israel, and now God would deal with them. Now for Habakkuk.  That is a little more difficult.  ‘The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.’ (Habakkuk 2:20).”

Emmett and the choir sang The Lord is in His Holy Temple.

Easy smiled, “Thank you, Emmett.  The temple was still around.  But Jerusalem was destroyed in 586BC.  So, Habakkuk was before that time. ‘“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor.’ (Habakkuk 1:5-7).  These verses make it sound inconceivable for Babylon to be a world power.  Babylon started showing signs of building up their strength when Nabopolassar allied with the Medes to destroy Nineveh. That was about 626-625BC.  So that put all three of these prophets about the same time.  Maybe with Nahum about ten years earlier.”

Arabella smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Dictionary.”

I said, “Arabella told me that there is not much here.  But we can find Jesus in a lot of places that do not expressly mention Jesus.”

Tina (Nahum 1:7-8) “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.”

Tina asked,”Aunt Jemima, is this talking about Jesus?”

I smiled, “Yes and maybe.  John 3:16 says that we need to believe in Jesus, but the Greek word for believe means both believe and trust.  So, this could simply mean God, all three persons of the Trinity, but who are we to believe and trust in?”

Tina said, “So, not only will Jesus be our refuge, but He will pursue His foes even into darkness.”

I asked, “And what if this room were dark and then light comes into the room?  Even a small amount of light chases the darkness away, and Jesus is the Light.”

Clay (Nahum 2:11-13) “Where now is the lions’ den, the place where they fed their young, where the lion and lioness went, and the cubs, with nothing to fear? The lion killed enough for his cubs and strangled the prey for his mate, filling his lairs with the kill and his dens with the prey. ‘I am against you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘I will burn up your chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will leave you no prey on the earth. The voices of your messengers will no longer be heard.’”

Clay said, “This is Nahum calling Assyria a lion.  Jeremiah did that too.  ‘“Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”’ (Jeremiah 50:17).  But there are a lot of lions that are bad in the Bible. ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8).  But then, a lion can be good.  God used Babylon to destroy Assyria, with the help of the Medes, and Nahum 2:13 talks about that destruction.  Jesus descended from David, the king.  A lion is called the king of the jungle.  And David descended from Judah.  ‘You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?’ (Genesis 49:9).”

I smiled, “Wow, Clay, that was very good.”

Clay shrugged, “You give us the verses to read.  It’s up to us to figure out what those have to do with Jesus.”

I laughed, “But you looked up the verse about the devil prowling like a lion.  I like it when you give something extra.”

Sarah, using her tablet (Nahum 1:15) “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.”

Sarah’s tablet said, “This verse is similar to Isaiah 52… ‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!”’ (Isaiah 52:7).  Jesus is the Good News.  That’s what Gospel means, Good News.  This verse is quoted in the New Testament, but not in the gospels. ‘And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”’ (Romans 10:15).  And in Ephesians… ‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.’ (Ephesians 6:14-15).  We all need to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and His love.”

Gymra asked, “Where can I get one of those things that does the reading and talking for you?”

Sarah reddened, “I can…”  Then she squeaked, and the tablet said, “talk.”

Clay said, “Sarah has selective mutism.  She sings like an angel, but she can’t talk in a big crowd.  She has her lips move and then the tablet talks using her voice.  But when we study these lessons, she pre-records all her comments ahead of time.  She only has to press a button, but if you ask her a question, you will see her lips move and then the tablet talks.”

Gymra said, “I apologize.  I didn’t know.  Are you her brother?”

Clay reddened, “No, we aren’t old enough to officially be boyfriend and girlfriend, but we go to Moon Maid Middle School and we look out for each other.”

I said, “Gymra, we are all broken on the inside.  Jesus comes into our lives when we accept Him as our Savior, and starts working on those things that are broken.  ‘Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ (2 Corinthians 12:7b-9).  Some of us have our thorns in the flesh that are noticeable, but we all seem to have one.  God does not like proud and haughty people.  And our limitations remind us that we are still a work under construction.”

Gymra nodded, “Yes, ma’am, I am learning that.”

Gymra (Habakkuk 2:3-4) ‘For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—’’

Gymra said, “This is kind of what you said.  We are to live by faith.  And the enemy is proud.”

I smiled, “Thank you, Gymra.  This mentions faith.  Trusting in God for everything.  And Jesus taught us this.  He said it Himself.  He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.  So, we can see living by faith in the Old Testament and loving one another also.  But this verse is quoted in the New Testament.  I’ll help you out here.  And remember, it is okay to say that you do not understand.  It could be many people do not understand either.  ‘For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”’ (Hebrews 10:37-38).  So, the revelation at the appointed time is Jesus.  ‘For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”’ (Romans 1:17).  So, here again, like in Hebrews and in Habakkuk, the righteousness lives by faith.  ‘Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”’ (Galatians 3:11).”

Carla leaned over and gave Gymra a side hug, “Don’t worry, Gymmie. A lot of us started out saying that we did not know.  We will prepare you better for next week, and you can ask more questions.”

Jochebed (Habakkuk 1:5) Louis Segond)  ‘Jetez les yeux parmi les nations, regardez, Et soyez saisis d’étonnement, d’épouvante! Car je vais faire en vos jours une oeuvre, Que vous ne croiriez pas si on la racontait.”

Jochebed said, “And now in English.”

Clay (Habakkuk 1:5)  ‘“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Jochebed said, “This is quoted in the book of Acts … “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”’ (Acts 13:41).  In the time of Habakkuk, they would scoff thinking that Babylon could ever become a world power.  In the time of Jesus, the scoffers did not believe that Jesus was God among them.  And in our time, there are scoffers that do not believe Jesus will return.”

I said, “And now to Zephaniah.”

Georges (Zephaniah 3:20) “At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.”

Georges said, “This does not talk about Jesus returning, but it talks about the remnant of Israel returning.  And that will be during the millennial reign when Jesus sits on the throne in Jerusalem.”

Mamma Missy (Zephaniah 1:3) ““I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea—and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” “When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,” declares the Lord,”

Missy said, “This is similar to what Jesus said in Matthew 13. “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.’  (Matthew 13:41).  So, it’s not a quote, but they say something similar.”

I nodded, “Yes, Jesus alluded to Zephaniah and He knew some would make the connection.  And we have another that is similar to that. ‘That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness—’ (Zephaniah 1:15).  ‘“Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’’ (Matthew 24:29).  Again, not an exact quote, but Jesus conveyed the same message, and some would understand the connection.”

We have a new benediction.

Grannie Fannie (Galatians 1:3-5) “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Grannie Fannie winked, “I love these benedictions.  And I can feel your prayers at night.”

Lauren ran up to Grannie Fannie and hugged her.  “Are you ready to drive us?”

Brooke said, “Stormie, church time!”

Stormie laughed and said, “Aunt Brooke.  Church!  Yay!”

Arabella said, “I Was wrong, Aunt Jemima.  I learned a lot today.”

Credits

When I am using quoted verses in the New Testament, I got those verses (different translations) from Seeing Jesus – Bible Encounter Study Guide by Marilyn Hickey.  The concept of doing this in a Sunday school setting is based on her book.  In rare cases, maybe another connection.  The rest is from internet searches, a variety of commentaries and study Bibles, and personal knowledge.

Here is the Nahum Song  – Nineveh’s Destruction from Frederick Hank Sammons.

Here is The Lord is in His Holy Temple from Generation Youth Christ (GYC) Choir.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.