#TheFirstVerses of the Major Prophets

Let's continue looking at #TheFirstVerses of every book in the Bible. This blog post is about the "Major prophets": Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel & Daniel.

If you're new to this blog, the idea is to make this a simple introduction to each book of the Bible. My hope is that this #FirstVerses project can help us to know every book in the Bible & at least 1 thing about each book. That one thing could be #TheFirstVerse, a favorite character, or something God points out while you read.

Sources: http://www.holybible.com/resources/KJV_DFND/summary.htm

Day 31:
Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Day 32:
#TheFirstVerse of Isaiah states what the book is about: a vision concerning God's people in a specific time. The vision is specific to this time, place, and the reigns of these kings. What I get from it? God gives visions...we just need to be paying attention!

Day 33:
Jeremiah 1:1 These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from the town of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.

Day 34:
#TheFirstVerse of Jeremiah simply invites us to read the words of this major prophet. His example can inspire us to share God's word without fear. God's word and purpose always stand firm.

From Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

Those who have messages to deliver from God, must not fear the face of man. The Lord, by a sign, gave Jeremiah such a gift as was necessary. God's message should be delivered in his own words. Whatever wordly wise men or politicians may think, the safety of kingdoms is decided according to the purpose and word of God. (Source: http://bible.cc/jeremiah/1-1.htm)

Day 35:
Lamentations 1:1 "How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who has a princess among the provinces has become a slave."

Day 36:
#TheFirstVerse of Lamentations sounds just like it's title: tragic. This book reviews and mourns Jerusalem's defeat. Just like with Jerusalem, if we allow sin to rule, we pay the price.

If we allow sin, our greatest adversary, to have dominion over us, justly will other enemies also be suffered to have dominion. (Source: Matthew Henry Concise Commentary)

Sources:
(Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, http://bible.cc/lamentations/1-1.htm)
(http://bible.org/seriespage/major-prophets)
(http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/inspirationalteaching/vonbuseck_foundations_oldtestament.aspx)

Day 37:
Ezekiel 1:1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.


Day 38:
#TheFirstVerse in Ezekiel invites us to peek into what we could see if the heavens were opened and we could see visions of God. And sometimes these visions, like in this verse, can come while we are "among the exiles".

Day 39:
Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Day 40:
#TheFirstVerse in Daniel starts on a low note. But the book is about how God is judge: he destroys the bad guys, and rescues, delivers & brings good to His people.

The theme of Daniel is God’s sovereign power as the one true God, who judges and destroys the rebellious world powers and will faithfully deliver His covenant people according to their steadfast faith in Him. Daniel was written to encourage the exiled Jews through revealing God’s sovereign plan for Israel during and after the period of domination by the Gentile world powers. This is the time of the Gentiles which began with the Babylonian captivity but will end with the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom as the stone, one cut out without hands, became a great mountain and filled the whole earth (2:34-35; see also 7:13-14).

(Source: http://bible.org/seriespage/major-prophets)

Psalm 1:1 and more!

I shared with two co-workers this crazy idea of a project, putting together the "first verses of the Bible". It's a way to get acquainted with every one of the 66 books in the Bible in a simple way. Just look at the first verse. But then look again! Each of the 1st verses says something about how God is interacting with us! He cares about people, places, things, speaking through messages, prophets & visions...it's really cool!

The ultimate goal of the project is to make knowing the Bible in a simple way accessible to everyone. So many people I know are Christians in that they believe in God, go to church, listen to Christian music & try to generally be nice to others. 

But there is so much more! The Bible is God's living and active word. If we don't know it, we don't know what we're missing out on!

So let's continue checking out #TheFirstVerses and knowing more of who God is and what He has to tell us, one day at a time!

Day 22: 
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job & that man was blameless & upright, one who feared God & turned away from evil.


Day 23:#thefirstverse in Job introduces us to a guy that sounds like a goody-two shoes. Why keep reading? It's deep! There's much to learn!

Day 24:
Psalm 1:1 
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;"

Day 25:
#TheFirstVerse in the Psalms is a recipe to be blessed! Don't walk where the wicked tell you to go. Don''t stand or sit where people are doing wrong or being mean. Sounds like a way of living at peace.

Day 26:
Proverbs 1:1
"These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel."

Day 27:
#TheFirstVerse of Proverbs is a simple introduction. God is saying, check out these wise sayings! And they're not just from anyone, they're from a king, who is the son of a man who was after God's own heart. 

Day 28:
Ecclesiastes 1:1
"These are the words of the Teacher, King David's son, who ruled in Jerusalem.

Day 28:
#TheFirstVerse of Ecclesiastes invites you to read & learn. Pull up a chair and learn, not just from a regular teacher, but from a King's son, who ruled in Jerusalem, the city of God.

Day 29:
Song of Solomon 1:1
"This is Solomon's song of songs, more wonderful than any other." 

Day 30:
#TheFirstVerse in Song of Solomon is more wonderful than any other. If you could hear the most awesome, amazing song ever, would you want to check it out? Even just out of curiosity? Why not?

Alright! I'll leave it here for tonight, with the poetry books. Job was mentioned in the previous post, but I included it here, too, to keep them in the category.

Up next: #TheFirstVerses that kick off the major prophets. We have some major eye-opening words coming up! I can't wait!