THE PROPHETIC BOOKS always cause me to wonder, “What would Hosea, Amos, or Micah say if they came to my church or saw what was happening in our culture?” Would their message to the political leaders, merchants, denominational leaders, and the average person on the street be much different? Of course, there would be differences between the worship in modern churches and the worship in the temples at Bethel and Jerusalem, but do not people have the same need to seek to know God? Hosea would still find prostitution rampant in our culture, Amos would still find the poor being oppressed, and Micah would still be talking about corruption in high places. Has anything changed?
Although modern culture has “progressed” with new medicines, fast transportation, worldwide communication, and fantastic inventions, the role of the modern messenger of God still boils down to the essential task of speaking God’s words to a needy and sinful world. As one reads the prophetic sermons recorded in Scripture, one can begin to identify with the enormous prophetic task of transforming the thinking and behavior of a mixed-up group of religious people.
That also is our task. God has roared, so we must speak, and people must respond in fear (Amos 3:8). These prophetic sermons provide the inspiration and the foundation blocks for interacting with some of the basic problems of our generation. What does one say to persuade church people that they are not pleasing to God—look at Hosea 4:4–14; Amos 4:4–13; 5:21–27; or Micah 6:1–8. What things do please God? Micah would answer that we need justice, mercy, and a humble walk with God (Mic. 6:8), while Hosea would emphasize faithfulness, truth, steadfast covenant love, and an intimate relational knowledge of God (Hos. 4:1). Hosea realized his audience was in big trouble because the priests and prophets had forgotten God’s divine revelation and led the people astray (4:6). Will not the same thing happen to people in our day if we fail to share with them the wisdom God has revealed through these prophets?
I want to thank Zondervan, especially Terry Muck and Jack Kuhatschak, the general editors; my Old Testament editor, Andrew Dearman, of Austin Presbyterian Seminary; and Verlyn Verbrugge, my Zondervan editor, for their assistance. Their insight, guidance, and critical attention to detail has greatly enhanced this work. I also want to thank the administration and trustees of Bethel Theological Seminary and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for providing time for me to work on this project. I also want to thank my wife, Susan, for her long-suffering patience and support.
Gary V. Smith
Professor of Old Testament
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Missouri