Oracles against Other Nations – This type of revelation is comparable to Isaiah 13–23 and Amos 1– 2, along with Nahum, half of Obadiah, perhaps 15-20% of the OT. They are not critiques of the nationality of false prophets but proclamations of salvation for God’s people through eliminating their political and religious enemies. The Gentile nations are the types of all the kingdoms of this world. This third part ts within the classic prophetic outline: 1) judgment against Israel; 2) judgment against the heathen nations; and 3) salvation for Israel and all (see Romans 3:22-23; 1 Pet 4:17). These oracles t between the prophecy of the impending fall of Jerusalem (24:15-17) and the report of the actual fall (33:21-22). Seven nations are addressed. Seven date notices also appear. There are seven discrete oracles against Egypt (29–32). God’s judgment will be universal, much like the seven nations of Deut 7:1. Notably absent is an oracle against Babylon like Isaiah 13–14 and Rev 17–19. Babylon is the instrument of God’s judgment. Note also that the formula and content of the judgment against the heathens mirror that of Israel and Judah. Judgment comes against godless or false worshipping nations that persecute believers. But judgment comes against nations who claim Christian faith or support the church but suppress or restrict the preaching of the Gospel. And also societies that exert constant pressure on the church to circumscribe or contradict the Scriptures. All these oracles call for self-examination, repentance, and faith in the promise of freedom from the “sin that so easily entangles us” (Heb 12:1) and all persecution by the enemies of Christ. We must a rm the biblical teaching (e.g.. Rom 13:1-7) that government authority is established by God to punish wrongdoing, protect its citizens, and maintain order and peace so that the church can carry out its mission to proclaim the Gospel. The church may well wish to advertise its patriotism toward a benign government. Still, one may question whether it should go so far as to hold a special service speci cally to celebrate a national holiday or display the nation’s ag in the chancel. At the same time, we must protest the view of the state evident in the radical left-wing of visible Christendom, where America and the capitalist West are instinctively condemned as purely evil agents of greed and exploitation. Of course, if civil authorities require people to do…