Amos, Hosea, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk

Carol J. Dempsey, OP is professor of biblical studies at the University of Portland, Oregon, with special expertise in Old Testament and prophets. She holds a PhD in biblical studies from The Catholic University of America, and has authored several books including Jeremiah: Preacher of Grace, Poet of Truth (Liturgical Press, 2007) and Reading the Bible, Transforming Conflict.

• CONTENTSAbbreviations    6 THE BOOK OF AMOSIntroduction    7Text and Commentary    12Superscription and Introduction (Amos 1:1-2)    12Proclamations Concerning the Nations (Amos 1:3–2:16)    12Three Words to Israel (Amos 3:1–5:6, 8-9)    19Three Woes (Amos 5:7, 10-17; 5:18-27; 6:1-14)    26Five Visions; Two Judgment Speeches (Amos 7:1–9:10)    29Epilogue (Amos 9:11-15)    35THE BOOK OF HOSEAIntroduction    37Text and Commentary    42Superscription (Hosea 1:1)    42Marriage Metaphor; Gomer, Hosea, God, and Israel (Hosea 1:2–3:5)    43Proclamation against Israel and Its Leadership (Hosea 4:1–5:7)    51Judgment Speech against Israel and Judah (Hosea 5:8-14)    55Expression of Divine Frustration and Judgment upon Israel and Judah (Hosea 5:15–7:2)    56Description of Failed Leadership (Hosea 7:3-7)    57Description of Israel’s Folly and Fate (Hosea 7:8-12)    58Woe Speech against Israel (Hosea 7:13-16)    59Declaration of Warfare (Hosea 8:1-14)    60Judgment Speech against Israel (Hosea 9:1-6)    62Statement of Impending Divine Chastisement (Hosea 9:7-9)    63 Description of Israel’s Crimes (Hosea 9:10-17)    64Three Metaphors Concerning Israel (Hosea 10:1–11:11)    65Description of Israel’s Infidelity (Hosea 12:1–13:1)    70Judgment Speech against Israel (Hosea 13:2–14:1)    71Divine Plea and Promise of Healing, Restoration, and New Life (Hosea 14:2-9)    73Epilogue: A Word of Exhortation (Hosea 14:10)    74THE BOOK OF MICAHIntroduction    75Text and Commentary    80Superscription (Micah 1:1)    80Proclamation of Judgment; Word of Hope (Micah 1:2–3:12)    80Proclamation of Future Restoration (Micah 4:1–5:14)    89Words of Judgment, Lament, Trust (Micah 6:1–7:20)    95THE BOOK OF NAHUMIntroduction    105Text and Commentary    108Superscription (Nahum 1:1)    108A Hymn to God (Nahum 1:2-11)    108A Word of Good News to Judah (Nahum 1:12–2:1)    109A Prophetic Vision Concerning Nineveh (Nahum 2:2–3:19)   110THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAHIntroduction    115Text and Commentary    119Superscription (Zephaniah 1:1)    119Proclamations of Judgment and Imminent Disasters (Zephaniah 1:2–3:8)    120Statement of Reproach against Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:1-7)    125Statement of Future Purification (Zephaniah 3:8-13)    126 Proclamation of Hope, Salvation, and Restoration (Zephaniah 3:14-20)    127THE BOOK OF HABAKKUKIntroduction    129Text and Commentary    133Superscription (Habakkuk 1:1)    133The Prophet’s First Complaint (Habakkuk 1:2-4)    133A Divine Response (Habakkuk 1:5-11)    134The Prophet’s Second Complaint (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1)    135A Divine Response: A Vision Statement with Five Woes (Habakkuk 2:2-20)    136A Prophet’s Prayer (Habakkuk 3:1-19)    138Review Aids and Discussion Topics    140Index of Citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church    145Maps    146

Dempsey's characterization of each prophet is distinctive, intense, informative. She provides useful outlines and study aids, apt characterization, perceptive commentary, highlighting the specific issues of ethics and worship which kept these preachers awake by night and engaged by day. Bridging the modern reader's unfamiliarity with these ancient texts and our temptation to think these strong words are not for us, Dempsey helps us see the possibility of fruitful consideration of these powerful biblical words.Barbara Green, OP, Professor of Biblical Studies, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the Graduate Theological Union