Often called "minor prophets," these first great classical prophets spoke to issues that dominated their times--love, redemption, fidelity, renewal, authority, justice, righteousness, and inclusivity--and that continue to have great relevance today. Books in the Westminster Bible Companion series assist laity in their study of the Bible as a guide to Christian faith and practice. Each volume explains the biblical book in its original historical context and explores its significance for faithful living today. These books are ideal for individual study and for Bible study classes and groups.

The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves. The prophetic books gathered together in the book of the Twelve are sometimes called the "minor" prophets because of their relatively small size when compared with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. They are often neglected, at least partly because their words of judgment make the reader uncomfortable. Yet they have considerable theological and ethical value--for their call for social justice (especially Amos and Micah), their insights about the passionate love of God (in Hosea), God's grace and forgiveness (Jonah, Hosea, and elsewhere), and the finality of hope, even in the face of terrible catastrophes.

"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind . . . " Julian of Eclanum (c. 386–455) was the bishop of Eclanum, located in modern-day Italy. In this volume in IVP's Ancient Christian Texts series, Thomas Scheck provides a new translation of Julian's commentaries on the biblical books of Job and those of three Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, and Amos. Here, readers will gain insight into how early Christians read texts such as God's speech to Job, Hosea's symbolic representation of God's unending love for a faithless Israel, Joel's anticipation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and Amos's call for social justice. While Julian was a well-known leader among the Pelagians, whose theology was famously opposed by Augustine of Hippo and ultimately determined to be outside the bounds of the church's orthodoxy, the Pelagian movement was a significant element within the early church. And although Julian's Pelagianism does not fundamentally affect the commentaries presented in this volume, Christians can gain insight into the truths of Scripture by reading the text alongside others, even when—or perhaps especially when—we might disagree with other aspects of their beliefs. Ancient Christian Texts are new English translations of full-length commentaries or sermon series from ancient Christian authors that allow you to study key writings of the early church fathers in a fresh way.

This commentary offers a timely and up to date assessment of the books of Hosea, Joel and Amos, and shares the best of contemporary Old Testament scholarship in non-technical language and an accessible style. It enables an appreciation of the books of Hosea, Joel and Amos as literary texts with continuing theological value.

Brings noted evangelical scholars together to offer an authoritative, evangelical treatment of the minor prophets. Volume two features commentary by Jeffrey Niehaus (Obadiah), Joyce Baldwin (Jonah), Bruce Waltke (Micah), Tremper Longman III (Nahum), and F. F. Bruce (Habakkuk).

Joel's arresting imagery--blasting trumpet, darkened sun and marching hosts--has shaped the church's eschatological vision of a day of wrath.Amos's ringing indictments--callous oppression, heartless worship and self-seeking gain--have periodically awakened the conscience of God's people.Twenty-five-hundred years after they were first born, those prophetic words never fail to awaken and arrest. Viewed against the background of their culture and society, artistry and context, these visions and oracles take on even more vibrant colors and cleaner lines.This commentary is a valuable guide to the fascinating world and challenging word of these two prophets. Ever mindful of the wider context and compositon of these ancient but living texts, David Hubbard shows how Joel and Amos addressed Israel's mind and heart.