As we continue a summer sermon series on the Minor Prophets, I’m reminded how often the New Testament recalls and depends on God’s Word in these lesser-known Old Testament books.  Like: 

• Based on Hosea 2:1 and 2:23, Romans 9:25-26 says:  As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” 
• Quoting Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13 says:  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 
• Drawing on Joel 2:28-29, as he recognizes the fulfillment of prophecy, Peter says in Acts 2:17-18:  And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 
• Micah 5:2 is quoted in Matthew 2:6, about where the Messiah would be born:  And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 
• Habakkuk 2:4 (The righteous shall live by his faith) is quoted in three NT passages, showing the OT grounding of justification by faith:  Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38. 
• Zechariah 9:9 is applied to Jesus’ triumphal entry in Matthew 21:5:  Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.

And there are many more examples.  These short books surely are not “minor” in their importance for God’s unfolding revelation of his plan of salvation!