Taken together, the Twelve Prophets offer a panoramic view of Israel's religion during one of the most critical periods in the Israelites' history. From their false confidence at the time of the monarchy, to their despair during the Exile, and finally to the period of new hopes and aspirations after the Exile, these books provide an understanding of the transition from an old state religion to the birth pangs of a newly formed community of God's people. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah are the figures considered in this first of Peter C. Craigie's two-volume work. Although differing in substance as well as style, these prophetic books are united in their common purpose: the declaration of the word of God to the people of God