Joel, Amos & Obadiah: An Exegetical Commentary

by Thomas J. Finley

Publisher:

Biblical Studies Press

, 2003

Overview

The cultural and historical distance between the Old Testament prophets and their modern readers makes close study difficult. While these individuals spoke from God and therefore left a message that will always be relevant, God delivered His words through the vehicle of the prophets and their own situation in life. I have tried here to use the tools of language and history to help the reader grasp the meaning of each prophetic book in its original context as far as possible.

Joel

The prophet Joel speaks of a day of unparalleled blessing and judgment. Two events occupy center stage in the book of Joel: a great plague of locusts and the Day of the Lord. Joel calls the people of Judah to repent in light of the disastrous devastation brought by locusts. The Lord’s promise to restore and bless anew His people when they repent serves as the backdrop for a sweeping message about the future Day of the Lord.

Amos

The prophet Amos speaks to people who were religious but who were not righteous. He focuses on the unjust practices of the rich and powerful against the poor and helpless in Israelite society. He strives especially to show how day-to-day living cannot be separated from true worship of the Lord. Words of judgment and condemnation dominate the prophet’s message, but Amos concludes with a vision of Israel rejoined with the people of Judah in justice and unprecedented prosperity.

Obadiah

Obadiah tells a story of double betrayal. The nation of Edom, which should have been an ally, betrayed Judah when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. As punishment the Lord promises that Edom will likewise fall prey to a trap by its allies. Obadiah then takes this theme of "judgment through betrayal because of betrayal" and expands it to encompass all nations when the Day of the Lord comes and "the kingdom will be the Lord's."

Contents

Top Highlights

“Hence, when God rebuilds Davidʾs booth, it means that once again the people will be delivered from their enemies” (Page 281)

“as Israel under the Davidic banner possesses all the nations, the whole world will become Godʾs kingdom” (Page 283)

“Amos’s point is that any worship is false when the participants are oppressing the poor and helpless.” (Page 181)

“, first of all, stands as a type of all those who oppose the purposes of the Lord.^{26” (Page 309)}

“ ‘I, even I, will strike you seven times for your sins’ (Lev. 26:24).^{38” (Page 186)}

Product Details

• Title: Joel, Amos & Obadiah: An Exegetical Commentary
• Author: Thomas J. Finley
• Publisher: Biblical Studies
• Publication Date: 2003

About Thomas J. Finley

Thomas J. Finley (B.A., Biola University; M.Div., Talbot School of Theology; M.A., University of California at Los Angeles; Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles) chairs the Department of Old Testament and Semitics at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He has written both technical and popular articles for various publications.