Joel & Obadiah, disaster & deliverance

Disaster and Deliverance, these two words sum up something of the message of both Joel and Obadiah. In Joel, the prophet begins by announcing a disaster in terms of a locust invasion, which has affected Judah. This, however, is but the pretext for warning of an even greater disaster on the horizon for Judah. Nevertheless, the prophet holds out the prospect of deliverance. In the case of Obadiah, the focus is on Edom. Edom's pride and longstanding hostility against the people of God has led her to be party to an attack upon them, and as a result, she is threatened with disaster. The people of God, meanwhile, are assured of better things at the hand of the LORD. These two prophets and their message of disaster and deliverance will both challenge and reassure all who have ears to hear.

Publisher: Christian Focus
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781781916025

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Iwan Rhys Jones is Director of Postgraduate Studies and Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies at Wales Evangelical School of Theology in Bridgend, Wales. He is an elder at Freeschool Court Evangelical Church and he and his wife Julie have two grown-up children.

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Writing in an accessible and succinct style, Jones introduces us to grand theological themes that run throughout the prophetic writing of Joel and Obadiah. His ear is attuned to the linguistic and literary features found in both books, and he explains them in a way that will benefit both the pastor and the layperson. As with many commentaries in this series, Jones's treatment is fitting for both sermon preparation and small group Bible study. Scott Redd, President and Associate Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.