Profitable Time

Back in January I began a journey through the Prophets. I finished reading through the Prophets this evening. I went through them at the pace of a chapter a day. One advantage of this approach was that I didn't get bogged down (particularly in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel). One disadvantage to this approach was that it was difficult to keep context in view particularly in the larger books).

As I read through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and the other prophets, I began to realize just how much the informed the New Testament. Through quotes and allusions they pepper the New Testament. Unfortunately, these books which were so relied upon by the early church are often neglected in our time. Each book points in some way to the coming Christ. The prophets were allowed to glimpse down the corridor of time and to report what they saw. They hailed a coming King who would fulfill all the promises of God. He would deliver God's people from bondage and rule over them in righteousness and justice.

Reflecting on the message of the prophets, Peter commented,

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be your searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look (1 Pet 1:10-12).

Thus, the Prophets are ours. Much of what they have spoken has been fulfilled by Christ, some is yet to be fulfilled (but most certainly will be). As we sit down with the Prophets we get a better understanding of the Gospels. We also get a better understanding of the New Testament as a whole. I would encourage you to begin reading through the Prophets.