Minor Prophets Volume 1 - NIV

College Press NIV Commentary Series is formatted with a verse-by-verse explanation of the text. It was developed for both the scholar and the average Bible student. The College Press NIV Commentary Series is the only full commentary set in print from the Restoration Movement. Each volume (41 volumes for the Old & New Testament) contains the following helpful features: Biblically sound exegesis Clear exposition Objective approach Concise introduction New International Version of the Bible Key word translation Easy to use design format Practical footnotes And more!   Overview Written as a type of road map for students of the Bible, Harold Shank, in his commentary on the early Minor Prophets, seeks to provide necessary information for the journey of Scripture reading. The works of the Minor Prophets can be summarized by three major themes. First, all can be categorized as prophecy. While prophecy is known to look to the future, which these books do, they are rooted in the past. The prophets’ books remind the nations of the God who has given them laws, who desires the laws to be kept, and who deserves his people's respect because he has revealed himself to them through the laws. We can also see that judgment and its associated images play a major part in the writing of the prophets. All prefigure doom for the wayward, whether experienced in the physical life or the spiritual life. Finally, the problem of syncretism is confronted: Israel's tendency to mix the worship of Yahweh with the worship of Baal and other gods. Over and over again the prophets denounce Israel's idolatrous ways as they call for God's people to return wholly to him. Despite the somewhat bleak picture of the behavior of God's people, brighter images of God's love and mercy must also be included in the scenery. We see God wooing his people back to himself, longing for relationship to be restored. These images remind us of the fundamentals of what God wants: justice, mercy, and humility. The Minor Prophets can direct us on the path to attaining these qualities.   Hosea As Israel became more and more prosperous, their acknowledgement of God became less and less frequent unit Israel attributed their success to other gods. Forsaking the love relationship they had with God, Israel merely pays lip service to God while chasing after idols. Joel God, through Joel, uses a natural disaster as a prime opportunity to remind the people of the nature of sin and forgiveness. While harsh and stringent, God's punishment is ultimately aimed at restoring his people, moving them to repentance, and drawing them back to himself. Amos Israel is found guilty in God's eyes of two heinous crimes: oppression and idolatry. Amos warns the Israelites that those who are rich and are guilty of oppressing the poor will be the first to suffer God's wrath and judgment. Amos is the expression of God's concern for his people and the oppression they suffer. Obadiah Obadiah addresses the ancient struggle between the descendants of Jacob and Esau along with the issues of justice, retribution, and God's glorious future. God speaks a message of hope to Jerusalem, promising justice for the injustice they have received. Jonah Fleeing from the call of God, Jonah is forced to admit he is running from the mercy and grace of God that was not as selective as he had hoped. Jonah's story reveals that God is not just God of Israel but God of all nations. Not only that, but we also see that forgiveness, faith, and obedience can be found in the most unlikely places. Micah Like Amos, Micah is concerned with injustice and oppression. Micah's message focuses on how humans relate to God and how humans live together in community. God's ultimate desire is seen in his demand that his people act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. Minor Prophets Volume 1 has 447 pages. ISBN 978-0-89900-894-3 WEB-894 Minor Prophets Vol. 1 General Introduction Hosea Introduction & Outline Hosea Excerpt Joel Introduction & Outine Amos Introduction & Outline Amos Plumbline Obadiah, Jonah, Micah Outlines   About the Author Harold Shank is Professor of Old Testament at Oklahoma Christian University. He has served as a preacher, an author of several highly respected books and as an evangelist who has devoted much of his life’s work to developing ministries among the poor. Harold a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and has written five books. Shank is married to Sally Jane, and has two children: Daniel and Nathan. They attend Memorial Road Church of Christ. About the Editors Terry Briley, PhD, is a associate professor of Bible at Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, since 1986. Terry Briley received the BA from David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University), then a MPhil and PhD from Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to teaching at Lipscomb University, he is the Senior Minister at Natchez Trace Church of Christ and leads an annual summer mission trip to Brazil.    Paul J. Kissling, PhD, is professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages and Area Chair in Bible/Theology at Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Michigan. He is an elder at Meridian Christian Church in Okemos. Paul Kissling received the Bachelor's degree from Great Lakes Christian College, the MDiv from Lincoln Christian Seminary, the ThM from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the PhD from the University of Sheffield (England). Paul has taught and preached in over 15 countries and serves as Old Testament specialist on the Board of the Stone-Campbell Journal.