NIV Application Commentary: Joel, Obadiah, Malachi (David W. Baker) / January 01, 2006

See also the 22-volume Old Testament product and the 20-volume New Testament product. Other individual volumes are also available.

These three short prophetic books of the Old Testament each contain a dual message. On one hand are messages of impending judgment—for all peoples on the Day of the Lord, for an enemy of Israel, and for Israel herself. On the other hand are messages of great hope—of the pouring out of God’s Spirit, of restoration and renewal, and of a coming Messiah.

Placing judgment and hope together in such a manner may seem paradoxical to a contemporary mindset. But the complete message of these prophets gives a fuller picture of God—who despises and rightly judges sin and rebellion, but who also lovingly invites people to return to him so that he might bestow his wonderful grace and blessings. It is a message no less timely today than when these books were first written, and David W. Baker skillfully bridges the centuries in helping believers today understand and apply it.

About the Series
This unique series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into modern context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it can speak powerfully today. Therefore, the NIV Application Commentary Series helps with both halves of the interpretative task: exegesis and theological application.

Additionally, the unique reader friendly format and the direct pinning of the entire series to the NIV, make it exceptionally easy for non-specialist readers to follow and learn from.

Commentary authors will, at times, work with the original languages but complete explanations are always given in non-specialist language; and they serve the exclusive function of further explicating the text at hand. The same approach is taken with all complex issues and interpretive matters. The focus is on learning and applying and every tool used by the commentators serves this end.