The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

This is the full 12 Bible Study guide books in the 'Spotlight On The Minor Prophets' series; Jonah, Obadiah, Joel, Micah, Amos, Hosea, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. Taken from a Christian standpoint, this is an introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, known commonly as the 'Minor Prophets'. This title in no way implies that they are inferior in any way to the giants amongst the prophets such as Isaiah or Ezekiel; but rather the word 'minor' merely applies to the brevity of the writings of these Old Testament prophets. Bible Study Guide for Group or Individual use These are not intended to be in-depth bible studies as such; but instead an introduction or summary of the Prophets, their times and influences both then and today. This short bible series on the Old Testament Prophets looked at from a New Testament Christian point of view, is intended for individual or group use, and I have found them useful for encouraging debate and conversation, on all the topics that affected the peoples at that time; and now affect ourselves in today's world. Studying the minor prophets reveals pearls of wisdom! Job states that "As sure as sparks fly upwards, Man is born to trouble." The social and economic troubles that the ancients faced are the same ones as we face now. It has been said that "if we do not learn from our mistakes, then we are doomed to repeat them." Perhaps it's time to listen to their problems and see what The Lord had to say through his spokesmen - whom we know as the 'Minor Prophets'. I for one fully believe that the guidance offered to these Old Testament characters, can for the most part be profitably applied by the New Testament Christian when looked upon in the light of the New Covenant that Christianity has to offer.