Study Desk

Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab. Now I will destroy you and your property. Then the people of every nation will make fun and insult you.

My enemies, don't be glad because of my troubles! I may have fallen, but I will get up; I may be sitting in the dark, but the Lord is my light.

Those nations will suffer disaster because of what they did.

Nations will see this and be ashamed because of their helpless armies. They will be in shock, unable to speak or hear,

because of their fear of me, your Lord and God. Then they will come trembling, crawling out of their fortresses like insects or snakes, lapping up the dust.

Assyria, this is what else the Lord says to you: "Your name will be forgotten. I will destroy every idol in your temple, and I will send you to the grave, because you are worthless."

You're fatally wounded. There's no hope for you. But everyone claps when they hear this news, because your constant cruelty has caused them pain.

that he offers sacrifices to his fishing nets, because they make him rich and provide choice foods.

but I will still celebrate because the Lord God saves me.

Everyone in Lower Hollow will mourn loudly, because merchants and money changers will be wiped out.

The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love."

You expected much, but received only a little. And when you brought it home, I made that little disappear. Why have I done this? It's because you hurry off to build your own houses, while my temple is still in ruins.

But cheer up! Because I, the Lord All-Powerful, will be here to help you with the work,

For a while I was angry at the nations, but now I am furious, because they have made things worse for Jerusalem and are not the least bit concerned.

Listen carefully, High Priest Joshua and all of you other priests. You are a sign of things to come, because I am going to bring back my servant, the Chosen King.

Before that time, neither people nor animals were rewarded for their work, and no one was safe anywhere, because I had turned them against each other.

and offer you hope. Return to your fortress, because today I will reward you with twice what you had.

The Lord God will save them on that day, because they are his people, and they will shine on his land like jewels in a crown.

They will join in the fighting, and together they will trample their enemies like mud. They will fight, because I, the Lord , will be on their side. And they will crush the enemy cavalry.

I will strengthen the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. And I will show mercy because I am the Lord , their God. I will answer their prayers and bring them home. Then it will seem as though I had never rejected them.