Let the Prophets Speak

While the path of wickedness entices you from the secretive darkness, Wisdom has nothing to be ashamed of.

Her beautiful words entice you, but following her will lead you to death. Take Wisdom as your sister and hold her close, not the woman who leads you astray.

Solomon continues to guide us through life. Though a sin out of desperation can eventually be forgiven, a sin that ruins other people's lives simply for our own pleasure can never truly be erased.

Take care of yourself and don't take on other people's responsibilities, don't be lazy, and prepare yourself in the good times to be ready for the bad. God hates nothing more than dishonesty and inciting hatred to take advantage of others.

Don't stray after enticements of the selfish that only want to take advantage of you. Stay on the path before you, on the path of those who truly love you.

Once you are on the path of wisdom, keep your eye on the goal! Don't veer off or get enticed to leave the path!

The teacher exhorts his student to follow the right path by using himself as an example.

Look around you, it was with wisdom that the world was created, follow wisdom with humility, and you will be truly blessed by God.

Follow the path of Wisdom to true peace, true satisfaction, and true success.

Listen to wisdom, for the path of wisdom will protect you from lies and from enticement. In the end, only the honest and straight will remain.

The path to justice and righteousness begins with knowledge, seeking the truth, and humility.

Listen to wisdom, she calls to you in public, she will save you from disaster. Don't ignore her advice, or you will suffer the inevitable results of your ignorance.

Don't reject the simple wisdom of your parents as you embark on your journey in life, and avoid the temptations of those who lead a life seeking only profiting from others.

We introduce and begin the study of the Book of Proverbs, Solomon's collection of wisdom for the ages.

Jeremiah laments the destruction, and God's abandonment of the people. He ends by begging God to bring us back, so that we can have another chance to return to Him.

Jeremiah laments the decline and destruction of the people of Jerusalem. Those who shone with beauty like gold, have withered into suffering and starvation.

There is hope, because it is within our ability to correct injustice.

Jeremiah recounts his own terrible suffering he has borne while trying to deliver God's message. But despite the seeming futility of his daunting task, he refuses to give up on hope.

Jeremiah warns the people by describing the terrible destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Don't have faith in a building, as God's wrath will not spare you unless you change your ways.

Jeremiah laments the reliance on political strength and alliances, as when the day comes they will turn on Judea. We have rebelled against God, and nothing can save us other than God.

We introduce the book of Eichah as Jeremiah's prophecy of what will come if we do not heed his exhortations and change our ways. The image of a potential disastrous future is used to inspire people to change.

Remember during the boom times to use it well, because the times of bust are coming. In the end, there is purpose to it all.

Spread goodness without restriction, because what goes around, comes around. Don't keep waiting for the right moment to do something good, as no moment is better than right now.

A fool talks and talks and pretends to know things that cannot be known, while a wise man understands his limitations. Choose leaders who know what they can and cannot do and say.

It is not the powerful who win wars, but the wise.

Don't waste your emotional energy trying to understand God's ways. just appreciate what you have and enjoy it.

Kohelet teaches us to take the middle path, too much in either direction leads down to a destructive path.

It is all about the present, but that is a reason to value the present and use it right. It is not the time to waste the opportunity to live properly.

Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Let in the sunlight today!

Better to enjoy the fruits of your labor while you have it, because we all leave the world the same as we entered it.

Kohelet reminds us that we will never understand God and thus challenging Him is a waste of time. Instead we should focus on our lives, keep our promises, and be smart about our actions.

Kohelet advises us that despite the seeming futility of our efforts, we should still not fold our hands and do nothing. However we should choose something meaningful, with purpose and together with others.

There is a time and season for everything, we must enjoy and experience each moment, and live properly each moment of our lives.

We don't understand the ways of God, but it is better to be wise than to be foolish, and it is important to enjoy the momentary pleasures that we are privileged to experience.

Kohelet examines three possible paths; physical pleasure, wisdom, and purposelessness. He begins by observing that while he derived pleasure from seeking out the luxuries oif this world, they were only fleeting and temporary.

Wisdom itself is a source of pain and anxiety. Maybe it would be better to be ignorant?

Everything that was will be again, there is nothing new under the sun.

We introduce the Book of Ecclesiastes, and begin reading this masterpiece in which we encounter the seeming futility of the search for meaning in our lives.

The kingdom of Judah is destroyed, and the people are exiled. Cyrus of Persia issues a proclamation to allow the return of the exiles.

The reign of Josiah reaches its greatest height in the most wonderful Passover celebration in history. Tragically Josiah meets his untimely death due to a severe military error.

Josiah cleanses the nation and the Temple. A hidden Torah scroll is found and sparks a renewal of the covenant between God and His people.

Menasheh and Amon lead the people of Judah back on the sorry and evil path towards darkness.

Hezekiah leads the people to a miraculous victory over the Assyrian forces, but arrogance gets to his head.

Under Hezekiah's leadership, the wealth and bounty of the harvest is celebrated, storehouses are built, and the priestly class is supported in their holy work.

Hezekiah reunites the people of Judah and the remnants of the people of Israel in a wonderful and joyous celebration of Passover.

Hezekiah begins his remarkable reign with a dramatic restoration of the Temple.

King Ahaz leads the people down a path of corruption, idol worship and abomination. The Kingdom of Judah begins to fall apart as it is attacked from all sides.

Yotam is faithful to God and has a mostly successful reign for 16 years.

Once again, we read of a King who rules successfully until his arrogance got the better of him.

We read of the reign of King Amatzyahu of Judah. While he started with great promise, arrogance once again brings a King down to an ignominious end.

We read of Yo'ash's refurbishing of the Temple, and how he abandoned God due to arrogance after his mentor Yehoyadah passed away.