Book Description

The Bible is simply a love letter compiled into sixty-six books and written over a period ofsixteen hundred years by more than forty authors living on three continents. Although theauthors came from different backgrounds, there is one message, one theme, one thread that runs throughout the entire Bible from the first book, Genesis, to the last book, Revelation. That message is God's redeeming love for mankind--a message that is as relevant for us today as it was two thousand years ago.The scope of The Early Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah) is broad indeed. Chronologically, they span more than four centuries from approximately 848 to 425 BC. Geographically, they touch Israel, Judah, Syria, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Assyria. Thematically, they explore such topics as love, mercy, compassion, wrath, judgment, holiness, obedience, disobedience, hope, repentance, and many more.As you begin your study of these books, be prepared for gripping and graphic portrayalsof both God and man: Hosea's picture of God's love for his adulterous people symbolizedby the prophet's love for his adulterous wife; Jonah's portrayal of himself as a disobedient,runaway prophet pursued by a patient God; Amos's colorful visions of God's judgment that would come because of his continued disobedience; and Obadiah's classic portrait of pride.The setting of these books may be ancient, but their message is modern. You will meet the eternal God in them -- and you will meet yourself. Welcome to the Minor Prophets whose message is major.