In Jewish Chabad, Ezra canonized all the writings of the Old Testament into three segments known as the Tanakh. The Tanakh is a compilation of three sets of books, the Torah (first five books of the Bible written by Moses), the Nevi’im (second set, books by the latter prophets – major and minor) and the Ketuvim (third set, poetry books by different authors).
The Nevi’im are books written by prophets, they are former prophets (Joshua, Eli, and Samuel) those before the divided kingdom and latter prophets during the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. Judaism believes there are 15 books in the latter prophets’ category, while Christians believe there are 16, Judaism view Daniel as a Seer not a prophet, as Christians does. I have included the book of Daniel in this book, to make 16 books of the Nevi’im.
The period of the Nevi’im is about 350+ years of God speaking to both Israel and Judah His chosen people, pre-exile (13 prophets) and post-exile (3 prophets). In this period, Israel and Judah had both good and bad times, they had good, bad, and terrible kings, and they had other kingdoms (Assyrians, Ninevites, Egyptians, and Babylonians) oppressing them at different times.
This book looks at the pattern in the nature of God, how He dealt with His chosen people Israel during these times of good, bad, and ugly, of good and terrible kings and when His people repented and when they did not repent. This book highlights the similar pattern in God’s nature – His grace and mercy, His love and encouragement, His Just nature, His wanting repentance before judgment (for all His creation – chosen or not), and lots more.
It is my prayer that as you read this book, it will encourage you to study more, so you can have a better understanding in your relationship with God, for His glory.
W. Femi Awodele is the Executive Director of Christian Couples Fellowship International, Inc., a marriage ministry based out of Omaha Nebraska for 23+ years. Femi is married to Ola (a physician) for 32 years, and they have three adult children. Femi is the author of many books, many on marriage (such as Peculiar Conflicts – African Marriages in Western Culture, and the Home Improvements Series I and II) and some on doctrine (The Character of a Leader and The Discipline of Surrender).