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Taking God Seriously : Major Lessons from the Minor Prophets
It can be hard to pronounce these names, much less to understand the issues they wrote about. In Taking God Seriously, seasoned pastor Stuart Briscoe examines each of the Minor Prophets, providing both helpful historical context, and demonstrating the relevance of each prophet's message to believers today.The Faithfulness of God HOSEAThe Day of the Lord JOELHearing What God Has to Say AMOSThe Kingdom Will Be the Lord s OBADIAHThe Kindness of God JONAHWhat Does the Lord Require of You? MICAHGod is Good and Angry NAHUMGod s Ways Are Not Our Ways HABAKKUKGod s Tough and Tender Love ZEPHANIAHFear God and Nothing Else HAGGAIThe God Who Makes Things Happen ZECHARIAHThe God Who Does Not Change MALACHI
190 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1986
About the author
Stuart Briscoe
151 books13 followersDr. D. Stuart Briscoe is an evangelical Christian author, international speaker and the former senior pastor of Elmbrook Church, in Brookfield, Wisconsin
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 10, 2014
With the exception of Jonah and perhaps a few passage from Malachi used when offering time comes during the church service, the books of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament are far too neglected. Perhaps it is due to their content or perhaps a lack of endurance on the part of believers in regards to their yearly Bible reading schedule. Whatever the reason, many are highly unfamiliar with the important issues addressed by the Minor Prophets to include the importance of their message for believers today. Pastor Stuart Briscoe in his book Taking God Seriously: Major Lessons from the Minor Prophets seeks to bring back to the forefront these valuable books, driving home the overarching messages of the prophets from long ago and most importantly, why we need to pay attention in our day and age to what they have to say.
As the subtitle of the book implies, Briscoe elaborates on the major lessons revealed in the books of the Minor Prophets. His overall intent is not to exegete every minute detail. Conversely, he provides the reader with valuable insight into the overarching message and most importantly, how believers today can cross the principalizing bridge of biblical exegesis to apply the truths found in these books to our lives today. To that end, Briscoe is highly successful in his efforts.
Despite studying the Minor Prophets at various times in both Bible College and Seminary, admittedly I remain largely unfamiliar with the message delivered by the Minor Prophets. After reading Briscoe’s book, I have a newfound appreciation for their message. Far too many approach the prophetic books of the Old Testament in an attempt to glean some sort of hidden or long-lost prediction of future events in an effort to unlock the “mysteries” of the eschatological puzzle. That is the wrong approach. As Briscoe so rightly notes:
“The primary objective of the prophet in the Old Testament, however, was not prediction. The prophets certainly had a predictive aspect to their ministries, but foretelling was not their primary objective. Thus, when we study prophecy we should not be treating it as a crystal ball through which we can see into the future. We should be looking at the messages of the prophets primarily as statements made by men of God who heard what God had to say and relayed that message to their contemporaries.”
The message the prophets so often relayed to the people of their day was one of returning to their first love, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who had rescued them from bondage and called them to be a people of His own who were to be a light to the nations.
Many of these Minor Prophets were used by God in some rather interesting ways. A case in point is that of the prophet Hosea. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute who would in turn be unfaithful to him to include bearing him children that were not his own. This was all for the purpose of demonstrating to the people of God their own tumultuous and unfaithful relationship with God. I appreciated the time Briscoe spent examining the Hebrew word hesed, an important term in the Old Testament pregnant with meaning. As he notes, this word’s meaning is quite hard to pin down specifically; however, the idea of faithfulness and steadfast love is most often attributed by scholars as its fundamental meaning and application. In the life of Hosea, in particular his relationship with his unfaithful wife, we see not a rejection by Hosea of his wife, but rather God commanding Hosea to purchase back his wife despite her constant rejection of the covenant marriage relationship. An interesting element of what Hosea did for Gomer (his wife) compared to the price received by Judas when he betrayed Jesus is the amount of money paid in each instance. Briscoe aptly explains that while Hosea paid 15 shekels for Gomer, the value of a slave at half-price, the full price of a slave, namely thirty pieces of silver, was what Judas received. This is interesting because it notes the great price Jesus paid for his bride, an unfaithful bride at that.
Another valuable aspect of this book is in Briscoe’s discussion of Obadiah, the shortest of the Minor Prophets at a mere 21 verses. Contained in those verses is a powerful reminder that God is sovereign and that He and He alone controls the affairs of men. As Briscoe rightly avers, “If we Christians believe that the Lord is Sovereign, that He is moving inexorably toward the ultimate and final establishment of His eternal kingdom, we must have an entirely different view of the developments in our world.” God called Obadiah to speak out against the Edom. Obadiah’s message was that God was intimately “at work in the military and political lives of these neighbors of Judah.” In fact, God was executing His plans to complete perfection. Furthermore, Edom would endure God’s judgment due to their arrogance and “misplaced security”. Subsumed in this very short prophetic book are three very important issues for us today that are aptly outlined by Briscoe in his discussion. Those points are “God works out His purposes in the actions and affairs of mankind”, “Pride always comes before a fall”, and “The King is building His kingdom and He will prevail.”
These are just two short examples of the fine exegetical work and the important elements of application for modern believers that Briscoe provides the reader in this outstanding book. I highly recommend this book for all believers, in particular pastors and those who have either neglected the Minor Prophets or who might need a refresher course in what they have to say. Since all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, and training in righteousness, having a solid grasp of the Minor Prophets is highly important. Pastor Stuart Briscoe has done an outstanding job in this book of sharing what God has to say for us today in the books of the Minor Prophets. I encourage everyone to reengage these books at the earliest moment and to use this book as a helpful guide.
As the subtitle of the book implies, Briscoe elaborates on the major lessons revealed in the books of the Minor Prophets. His overall intent is not to exegete every minute detail. Conversely, he provides the reader with valuable insight into the overarching message and most importantly, how believers today can cross the principalizing bridge of biblical exegesis to apply the truths found in these books to our lives today. To that end, Briscoe is highly successful in his efforts.
Despite studying the Minor Prophets at various times in both Bible College and Seminary, admittedly I remain largely unfamiliar with the message delivered by the Minor Prophets. After reading Briscoe’s book, I have a newfound appreciation for their message. Far too many approach the prophetic books of the Old Testament in an attempt to glean some sort of hidden or long-lost prediction of future events in an effort to unlock the “mysteries” of the eschatological puzzle. That is the wrong approach. As Briscoe so rightly notes:
“The primary objective of the prophet in the Old Testament, however, was not prediction. The prophets certainly had a predictive aspect to their ministries, but foretelling was not their primary objective. Thus, when we study prophecy we should not be treating it as a crystal ball through which we can see into the future. We should be looking at the messages of the prophets primarily as statements made by men of God who heard what God had to say and relayed that message to their contemporaries.”
The message the prophets so often relayed to the people of their day was one of returning to their first love, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who had rescued them from bondage and called them to be a people of His own who were to be a light to the nations.
Many of these Minor Prophets were used by God in some rather interesting ways. A case in point is that of the prophet Hosea. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute who would in turn be unfaithful to him to include bearing him children that were not his own. This was all for the purpose of demonstrating to the people of God their own tumultuous and unfaithful relationship with God. I appreciated the time Briscoe spent examining the Hebrew word hesed, an important term in the Old Testament pregnant with meaning. As he notes, this word’s meaning is quite hard to pin down specifically; however, the idea of faithfulness and steadfast love is most often attributed by scholars as its fundamental meaning and application. In the life of Hosea, in particular his relationship with his unfaithful wife, we see not a rejection by Hosea of his wife, but rather God commanding Hosea to purchase back his wife despite her constant rejection of the covenant marriage relationship. An interesting element of what Hosea did for Gomer (his wife) compared to the price received by Judas when he betrayed Jesus is the amount of money paid in each instance. Briscoe aptly explains that while Hosea paid 15 shekels for Gomer, the value of a slave at half-price, the full price of a slave, namely thirty pieces of silver, was what Judas received. This is interesting because it notes the great price Jesus paid for his bride, an unfaithful bride at that.
Another valuable aspect of this book is in Briscoe’s discussion of Obadiah, the shortest of the Minor Prophets at a mere 21 verses. Contained in those verses is a powerful reminder that God is sovereign and that He and He alone controls the affairs of men. As Briscoe rightly avers, “If we Christians believe that the Lord is Sovereign, that He is moving inexorably toward the ultimate and final establishment of His eternal kingdom, we must have an entirely different view of the developments in our world.” God called Obadiah to speak out against the Edom. Obadiah’s message was that God was intimately “at work in the military and political lives of these neighbors of Judah.” In fact, God was executing His plans to complete perfection. Furthermore, Edom would endure God’s judgment due to their arrogance and “misplaced security”. Subsumed in this very short prophetic book are three very important issues for us today that are aptly outlined by Briscoe in his discussion. Those points are “God works out His purposes in the actions and affairs of mankind”, “Pride always comes before a fall”, and “The King is building His kingdom and He will prevail.”
These are just two short examples of the fine exegetical work and the important elements of application for modern believers that Briscoe provides the reader in this outstanding book. I highly recommend this book for all believers, in particular pastors and those who have either neglected the Minor Prophets or who might need a refresher course in what they have to say. Since all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, and training in righteousness, having a solid grasp of the Minor Prophets is highly important. Pastor Stuart Briscoe has done an outstanding job in this book of sharing what God has to say for us today in the books of the Minor Prophets. I encourage everyone to reengage these books at the earliest moment and to use this book as a helpful guide.
August 23, 2016
Real quick: Stuart Briscoe (and his wife Jill) are both wonderful speakers and delightful people (I have met them both). Stuart definitely, IMO, speaks more compellingly than he writes, but it is a rarity for someone to have a gift for both.
So then, my wife picked up this book at a Moody Founder's Week Bible Conference due to the subject matter (and at my encouragement, since I was interested as well and knew I would be able to sneak it away from her at some future time). Honestly, I expect there are better books out there on the "minor" prophets. Stuart deals with them in a "Matthew Henry" sort of way. What I mean by that is heavy on practical application directed toward today's Christian reader, and very light on exposition of the actual text. Of course, Stuart doesn't go nearly as long as MH, and instead cherry picks key parts of the text for his points of application, which in general I found to be entirely appropriate for what they are worth, some better stated than others.
I would say this book is nothing more than a very light introduction to the minor prophetical books, yet I would have no problem recommending it to anyone who is new to them. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a deeper study of these books (i.e. contextualization, eschatological, soteriological, etc., etc.) then I would continue looking.
So then, my wife picked up this book at a Moody Founder's Week Bible Conference due to the subject matter (and at my encouragement, since I was interested as well and knew I would be able to sneak it away from her at some future time). Honestly, I expect there are better books out there on the "minor" prophets. Stuart deals with them in a "Matthew Henry" sort of way. What I mean by that is heavy on practical application directed toward today's Christian reader, and very light on exposition of the actual text. Of course, Stuart doesn't go nearly as long as MH, and instead cherry picks key parts of the text for his points of application, which in general I found to be entirely appropriate for what they are worth, some better stated than others.
I would say this book is nothing more than a very light introduction to the minor prophetical books, yet I would have no problem recommending it to anyone who is new to them. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a deeper study of these books (i.e. contextualization, eschatological, soteriological, etc., etc.) then I would continue looking.
September 22, 2021
A great commentary on the minor prophets of the Old Testament. The minor prophets can be hard to understand. These 12 small commentaries give the background and context showing the relevance they have for today. Helps to make them much more accessible.
May 29, 2018
This book was a great little commentary on the minor prophets. Very enjoyable with many lessons to learn.
May 18, 2017
I'd likely not have read this if it were not a gift from a member of my small group. And while I like the way Briscoe writes and enjoy his perspective on the minor prophets of the Old Testament, I was unable to engage with it. Maybe that says more about me that about the book, but they seemed like a series of video scripts rather than a cohesive book about what the minor prophets have to say to us today.
If I have to research one of the books covered here for a message, this will be a valuable resource. But to read through front to back, it was more of a chore than I wanted.
If I have to research one of the books covered here for a message, this will be a valuable resource. But to read through front to back, it was more of a chore than I wanted.
May 22, 2017
I'd likely not have read this if it were not a gift from a member of my small group. And while I like the way Briscoe writes and enjoy his perspective on the minor prophets of the Old Testament, I was unable to engage with it. Maybe that says more about me that about the book, but they seemed like a series of video scripts rather than a cohesive book about what the minor prophets have to say to us today.
If I have to research one of the books covered here for a message, this will be a valuable resource. But to read through front to back, it was more of a chore than I wanted.
If I have to research one of the books covered here for a message, this will be a valuable resource. But to read through front to back, it was more of a chore than I wanted.
October 9, 2023
This book is clear, concise and gives you a very good understanding and application of the minor prophets' writings. It is not meant to be a detailed commentary for seminary students. Which is good, because so many people believe they will never be able to understand the prophets. With a good teacher, yes they can. The biblical prophets were fascinating people and accessible books such as this one should be read by everyone.
September 20, 2025
D.Stuart Briscoe does a wonderful job at making the sometimes hard to understand minor prophets understandable! From each prophet we get a major lesson to takeaway. Each challenges to view God for who He says He is, not what we, or the Israelites, think He is.
April 4, 2018
Good overview of the minor prophets. Not too heady.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews