Publisher's Synopsis
What was on the heart of God? What could a Father say to His children who had turned away from Him? Nearly a hundred years had passed since King Solomon's death and the united kingdom of Israel had split into two nations (931 BC): Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The people of both nations turned away from God to serve idols. God faithfully and lovingly brought prophets to sound a clarion warning that their behavior must change or judgment would destroy and carry them away. Interestingly, the first written prophecy of this era was a merciful warning, not to Israel, but to a Gentile nation who had brought violence against the Jews. OBADIAH (855-845 BC) had one brief message: the nation of Edom (the descendants of Jacob's twin brother Esau) was under God's judgment and was destined for destruction. JOEL (835-796 BC) graphically compared the devastating judgment coming to Judah to an invasion of locusts. JONAH (780-775 BC), a reluctant prophet, was called to deliver God's message to the cruel city of Nineveh. God had to produce a great fish, a plant, a worm and a scorching wind to get Jonah's attention and reveal His love for all people. AMOS (762-756 BC) prophesied that prosperity could not pay for apostasy and corruption. Judgment was hanging heavily over Israel and Judah. HOSEA (738-720 BC) was instructed by God to marry an unfaithful prostitute. Her unfaithfulness to Hosea was a vivid picture of the spiritual harlotry and unfaithfulness of Israel toward God. MICAH (737 to 696 BC) condemned the corruption and cruelty of the rich who oppressed the weak and powerless.
