Thanks Gregg. I’m only preaching the opening message, so others will speak on the remaining books. You are right – each is special and adds something to our understanding of God.

A few weeks ago I decided to do something I hadn’t done before and that is start at Malachi and work back through the Minors. Reading, grappling, puzzling, meditating, praying and often delighting in them. Every one of them different – Nahum – a war poem, Habakkuk – a heated exchange and poem of confidence in the midst of calamity , Zephaniah- our Warrior God who fights the wrong and sings over us a song.

I love ‘the full counsel of God’ even when it’s difficult to decipher, discern, and digest 9eat these words as Petersen would say).

I just happen to be be finishing Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy at the same time. It’s like the minor prophets – major justice in myth form. The unsuspecting but courageous hobbits acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with the unseen but ever-present sovereign.

Thank you Brian – you are a dear brother.