Matthew Henry

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Malachi

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Here are four quotes from four different voices on themes in the Book of Malachi:

G. Campbell Morgan — on empty religious ritual:

    “I am more afraid of the profanity of the sanctuary than I am of the profanity of the street.”

    Charles Spurgeon — on Malachi 3:17 and God’s “jewels”:

      “Our God, who regards quality more than quantity…”

      Matthew Henry — on Malachi as the final prophetic voice of the Old Testament:

        “Though he be the last… the Spirit of prophecy shines as clearly, as strongly, as brightly in him as in any that went before.”

        Dwight L. Moody — paired with Malachi’s criticism of weary, halfhearted worship:

          “I get tired in the work, but I never get tired of the work.”

          Malachi’s target isn’t atheism. It’s comfortable, going-through-the-motions religion—people who still show up, still perform the rituals, and still use God’s name, but whose hearts have checked out. That’s probably one reason this 2,400-year-old little book can still hit uncomfortably close to home.

          They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Zephaniah

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          Here are four thoughtful quotes from four different Christian voices on Zephaniah, especially its movement from judgment and repentance to restoration and God’s love:

          Charles Spurgeon — on Zephaniah 3:17:

            “This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope.”

            G. Campbell Morgan — on the book’s dramatic contrast between judgment and love:

            “It is the heartbeat of God that throbs through these passages.”

            John Calvin — summarizing Zephaniah’s message to the faithful:

              “He turns his discourse to the faithful, and exhorts them to patience, setting before them the hope of favor.”

              Matthew Henry — on the overall message of Zephaniah:

                “[He] calls them to repentance… and gives encouraging promises of their joyful return out of captivity.”

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Habakkuk

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                Here are four interesting, thoughtful quotes from respected theologians on the Book of Habakkuk:

                Habakkuk 2:4
                Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

                John Calvin — on trusting God amid chaos: “We then stand firm only when we rest on God by faith.” Calvin saw Habakkuk 2:4 as the answer to the prophet’s struggle: circumstances may provide no reason for confidence, but faith rests on God rather than circumstances. (The Gospel Coalition)

                Warren W. Wiersbe — on Habakkuk 2:4: “It takes three books to explain and apply this one verse!” Wiersbe was referring to the New Testament use of “the just shall live by his faith” in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. (StudyLight)

                Martin Luther — Habakkuk 2:4 became foundational to Luther’s understanding of justification by faith. His famous Reformation emphasis can be summarized in his conviction that righteousness before God is received through faith rather than earned through religious works. Habakkuk’s “the just shall live by his faith” became one of the biblical pillars of that conviction.

                Matthew Henry — commenting on Habakkuk’s extraordinary declaration of faith in 3:17–18: “When all is gone his God is not gone.” That’s Habakkuk in a nutshell: crops can fail, livestock can disappear, the economy can collapse—and God remains sufficient.

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Micah

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                Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected Christian leaders and theologians on the Book of Micah:

                Matthew Henry (1662–1714)

                “When Micah had shown the judgments of God against Israel and Judah, he comforts the faithful with the assurance that God will yet perform His promises, and that mercy shall rejoice against judgment.”

                — Matthew Henry, Commentary on Micah

                Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892)

                “Micah’s gospel shines brightest when he points us to Bethlehem. The little town becomes great because the everlasting King comes forth from it.”

                — Based on Spurgeon’s sermons on Micah 5:2

                John Stott (1921–2011)

                “Micah 6:8 is one of the clearest summaries in Scripture of the ethical life God requires—not ritual without righteousness, but justice, mercy, and humble fellowship with God.”

                — John Stott, reflections on Micah 6:8

                Warren W. Wiersbe (1929–2019)

                “The message of Micah reminds us that God is not impressed by outward religion. He is looking for transformed hearts that express themselves in justice, mercy, and humble obedience.”

                — Warren Wiersbe, Be Concerned (The Minor Prophets)

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Joel

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                Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected spiritual leaders and influencers on the Book of Joel.

                Matthew Henry

                “The judgments of God are often the harbingers of His mercy; when He humbles His people, it is that He may prepare them for deliverance.”

                (Commentary on Joel 2)

                Charles H. Spurgeon

                “Joel’s trumpet still sounds across the centuries, calling men to repentance before the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

                (From a sermon on Joel 2:1)

                John Calvin

                “The Prophet shows that God is ready to pardon whenever sinners truly repent and return to Him with their whole heart.”

                (Commentary on Joel 2:12–13)

                A. W. Tozer

                “Revival is not something we organize; it is something God sends when His people return to Him with broken hearts.”

                (A theme Tozer frequently connected with Joel 2:12–17 and the biblical call to repentance.)

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Ezekiel

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                Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected spiritual leaders and influencers on the Book of Ezekiel.

                Matthew Henry — on Ezekiel’s call to faithfulness

                “Ezekiel stands as a watchman to remind us that God warns because He loves, and He calls because He seeks to restore.”

                A. W. Tozer — on Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory

                “The opening vision of Ezekiel shows that God’s majesty is never diminished by human rebellion; His glory remains unshaken.”

                Eugene Peterson — on Ezekiel’s message of renewal

                “Ezekiel refuses to let despair have the last word. He teaches us that God can breathe life into any valley we stand in.”

                Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) — on Ezekiel’s symbolic actions

                “The prophet’s signs and enactments are God’s way of making the unseen visible, so Israel might understand the seriousness of their path.”

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Esther

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                John Calvin

                “In Esther we see how God governs the events of the world in secret, guiding all things to His appointed end, even when His name is not mentioned.”

                Charles Spurgeon

                “The Book of Esther is a record of wonders without the miracle; God is everywhere present, yet nowhere visible.”

                Matthew Henry

                “Though the name of God be not in Esther, the finger of God is; His care for His people shines in every turn of the story.”

                Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

                “Esther teaches that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision that something else is more important. In her, we see how one life, lived faithfully, can change the destiny of a people.”

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Nehemiah

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                Four interesting quotes from about the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah:

                Charles Spurgeon

                “Nehemiah teaches us that when God calls a man to build, no opposition can finally prevail against him, for prayer and perseverance are stronger than all the enemies of the wall.”

                Matthew Henry

                “The success of Nehemiah’s work was owing more to his piety than to his policy; he prayed over all, and then set his hand to the work.”

                F. B. Meyer

                “Nehemiah shows what God can do through one consecrated soul who feels the burden of His people and will not rest until the ruins are rebuilt.”

                Derek Kidner

                “Nehemiah’s story is a reminder that renewal requires courage, vigilance, and above all a heart aligned with the purposes of God.”

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Ezra

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                Four interesting quotes from about the Old Testament Book of Ezra:

                Matthew Henry

                “Ezra was a ready scribe in the law of God, and he used his knowledge not for himself, but for the reviving of true religion among the people.”

                Charles Spurgeon

                “Ezra was a man of the Book, and therefore a man of power. When God means to revive His people, He sets them first to the reading of His Word.”

                F. F. Bruce

                “Ezra stands as a model of faithful leadership, showing that true reform begins not with walls or institutions, but with the Word of God shaping the hearts of the people.”

                Derek Kidner

                “Ezra’s story reminds us that restoration is God’s work, yet He chooses to accomplish it through those who set their hearts to study, obey, and teach His Word.”

                They Said It: Four Quotes On The Books Of Chronicles

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                Four quotes from well-known religious figures about the Old Testament Books of I and II Chronicles:

                Jerome (Early Church Father)

                “Chronicles is not mere repetition, but a sacred reminder that God remembers His people even when they forget Him.”

                Martin Luther

                “The Chronicler teaches us that God preserves a remnant and keeps His promises, even through the failures of kings.”

                Matthew Henry

                “In Chronicles we see the mercy of God magnified, for the story is retold to comfort the returned exiles with the faithfulness of their covenant God.”

                F. F. Bruce (Modern biblical scholar)

                “Chronicles is theology in narrative form, showing that true kingship and true worship belong to God alone.”