Micah · Nahum · Habakkuk · Zephaniah
Reading the Old Testament often means reading prophecies about destruction. The Lord frequently called prophets to warn the wicked about His judgments. The ministries of Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah are good examples. In dreadful detail, these prophets foretold the downfall of cities that, at the time, seemed strong and powerful: Nineveh, Babylon, and Jerusalem. But that was thousands of years ago. Why is it valuable to read these prophecies today?
Even though those prideful, wicked cities were destroyed, prideful wickedness persists. We may even detect traces of it in our own hearts. Old Testament prophets reveal how we can turn away from these evils. Perhaps that’s one reason we still read their words today. They weren’t just prophets of doom—they were prophets of deliverance. The descriptions of destruction are tempered by invitations to come unto Christ and receive His forgiveness. As Micah put it, the Lord does not delight in condemning us, but “he delighteth in mercy” (Micah 7:18). This was the Lord’s way anciently, and it is His way today. “His ways are everlasting” (Habakkuk 3:6).
For overviews of these books, see “Micah,” “Nahum,” “Habakkuk,” and “Zephaniah” in the Bible Dictionary.
“What doth the Lord require of thee?”
Micah invites us to imagine what it might be like to “come before the Lord, and bow … before the high God” (Micah 6:6). What do verses 6–8 suggest to you about what is important to the Lord as He evaluates your life?
See also Dale G. Renlund, “Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 109–12.
Nahum’s mission was to foretell the destruction of Nineveh—the capital of the violent empire Assyria, which had scattered Israel and brutalized Judah. Nahum began by describing God’s wrath and matchless power, but He also spoke about God’s mercy and goodness. Look for verses in chapter 1 that help you understand each of these attributes—and other attributes of God that you notice. Why do you think it is important to know each of these things about the Lord?
Even prophets sometimes have questions about the Lord’s ways. Habakkuk, who lived at a time of widespread wickedness in Judah, began his record with questions to the Lord (see Habakkuk 1:1–4). How would you summarize Habakkuk’s concerns? What similar questions do people ask about God today? Have you ever had similar feelings? You could also compare his questions with others in the scriptures, such as those found in Mark 4:37–38 and Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6.
The Lord responded to Habakkuk’s questions by saying that He would send the Chaldeans (the Babylonians) to punish Judah (see Habakkuk 1:5–11). But Habakkuk was still troubled, for it seemed unfair for the Lord to stand by “when the wicked [Babylon] devoureth the man that is more righteous [Judah]” (see verses 12–17). What do you find in Habakkuk 2:1–4 that inspires you to trust the Lord when you have unanswered questions? (see also Mark 4:39–40; Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8; “God Will Lift Us Up” [video], Gospel Library).
Chapter 3 is Habakkuk’s prayer of praise and faith. How is Habakkuk’s tone in chapter 3 different from chapter 1? Here’s an idea to help you ponder verses 17–19: Make a list of temporal and spiritual blessings God has given you. Then imagine that you lost the temporal blessings. How might that make you feel about the other blessings? Why might it be hard to “rejoice in the Lord” (verse 18) during hardships like those described in verse 17? Ponder how you can develop greater faith in God, even when life seems unfair.
See also Gerrit W. Gong, “All Things for Our Good,” Liahona, May 2024, 41–44; “Lead, Kindly Light,” Hymns, no. 97; Topics and Questions, “Seeking Answers to Your Questions,” Gospel Library.
As you read Zephaniah’s prophecies, notice the attitudes and behaviors that led to destruction—see especially Zephaniah 1:4–6, 12; 2:8, 10, 15; 3:1–4. Then look for the characteristics of the people God would preserve—see Zephaniah 2:1–3; 3:12–13, 18–19. What message do you feel the Lord has for you in these verses?
After reading Zephaniah 3:14–20, see how many ways you can complete this sentence: “Be glad and rejoice with all the heart” because … Why is it important to you to know about these reasons to rejoice? You might compare these verses to the experiences described in 3 Nephi 17 and ponder how Jesus Christ feels about His people—including you.
What does it mean that the Lord will gather Judah’s enemies “as the sheaves into the floor”?
What is the “remnant of Jacob”?
What does it mean that the people of Judah were worshipping “the hosts of heaven”?
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Your children may not know that it was a prophecy by Micah that helped the Wise Men find the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Using Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1–6, perhaps your children could reenact their experience. Then you could talk about why Jesus’s birth was so important that prophets knew about it many years before He was born.
After reading Nahum 1:7, your children could build or draw a simple “strong hold” or fortress (there’s a picture of one in this outline). What are some reasons people might need a fortress? What makes our day a “day of trouble”? How is Jesus Christ like a stronghold for us?
To introduce Habakkuk 2:3, you and your children could talk about things that are good but only after we wait—like fruit that needs to ripen or dough that needs to bake. What would happen if we tried to eat the fruit or the dough before it was ready? Then you could talk about the prophet Habakkuk, who wanted to know when the Lord would stop the wickedness in the world. Read the Lord’s answer in Habakkuk 2:3. You could help your children think of things that God has promised. With each example, you could say together, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.”
To illustrate Habakkuk 2:14, you and your children could fill a jar or other container with pictures or words representing things Jesus did or taught. How can we help fill the world with knowledge of the Lord?
You could also show your children a map of the world (see Church History Maps, no. 7, “Map of the World”). Help them find the place where they live and places where missionaries they know have served. You could sing together a song about sharing the gospel, such as “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” (Children’s Songbook, 172–73). What can we tell others about Jesus Christ?
In Zephaniah 3:14–20, your children could look for something that makes them want to “sing, … be glad and rejoice with all the heart.” Perhaps you could sing some joyful hymns or songs together and talk about the joy you find in the gospel of Jesus Christ.