Hosea Amos Micah

The NIV Application Commentary: Hosea, Amos, Micah is a study of the experiences and preaching of three eighth-century B.C. prophets who proclaimed God’s message to persuade their audiences to transform their thinking and behavior in order to avoid God’s impending judgment. Hosea saw that the Israelites’ lack of knowledge about God, their refusal to maintain steadfast loyalty to God, and their deceptive ways destroyed their covenant relationship with God. Amos opposed the violent oppression of the poor by the rich and the false sense of security the wealthy had with their large homes, their political power, and their hopeful religious traditions. Micah confronted false prophets, unjust judges, and the people’s misunderstanding of what God desired from them. He lamented the coming loss of life in the near future, but pointed the people to the future coming of the Messiah and the kingdom of God as their only hope. These prophets declared that God deeply loves his people, but that he hates sinful people who reject him. The only hope for the oppressor, the unjust, the proud, the deceived, and the rebellious is to repent, to love God, and to walk in his ways. God has a wonderful future plan established for the remnant that seek him.