The back cover of The Minor Prophets carries a substantial claim, describing the volume as a “unique introduction to the Minor Prophets.” This claim likely evidences overreach by the marketing department and in my assessment is not strictly accurate. Nevertheless, Bartholomew and Thomas provide an eminently useful textbook on an oft neglected section of Scripture. They contend:

If for no other reason, we ought to retrieve and renew our reading of and listening to the Minor Prophets today because of their importance for understanding Jesus. They are indispensable in grasping the magnitude of the Christ event. Precisely as disciples of Jesus, we are pushed to return to the Minor Prophets and listen to all that they have to say as part of Scripture for today. They bring God’s word to bear on all of life in their particular contexts, and Jesus is Lord of all of life. Although we are in a different act in the drama of Scripture from them, their discrete witness remains, now enriching and enriched by the fuller and more comprehensive story of which they—and we—are part. (p. 355, emphasis original)

The Minor Prophets serves readers well in this task.

Craig G. Bartholomew is Director of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge, UK, and Heath A. Thomas is the President and Professor of Old Testament at Oklahoma Baptist University. Both are widely published in the areas of Old Testament and biblical interpretation. In The Minor Prophets they combine these areas of expertise and interest. Across twenty-two chapters they offer three different types of engagement with the Book of the Twelve. Chapters 1–2 and 20–22 tackle general issues such as history, context, theology, and application. In between these bookends each prophetical book has its own chapter—except Nahum and Zephaniah, and Haggai and Malachi, with each pair sharing a chapter. These chapters generally cover context, interpretation, theology, and New Testament use. These are supplemented by a handful of chapters that focus on one passage or theme in a Minor Prophet, with Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Habakkuk, and Zechariah receiving additional chapters.

Several features of this volume commend it to the reader. First, the chapters on each book in the Minor Prophets offer in-depth but succinct introductions. Indeed, these chapters are perhaps the crowning achievement of the book as they introduce readers to historical context, offer a reading of the book in its entirety, and conclude with theological and canonical reflections. While giving each book its own voice, Bartholomew and Thomas’s canonical awareness (both for the Book of the Twelve and the entire canon) is instructive and exemplary. Other introductory textbooks on the Minor Prophets are likely to multiply page count but unlikely to give you significantly more information.

Second, the selection of chapters that focus on a particular theme or passage offer good examples of a slower, closer reading of a text or texts. These chapters also tend to lean more towards application. Thus, chapter 11 on Spiritual Formation, with Jonah’s prayer in view, encourages a reading of Scripture that affects change in the reader. Chapter 18 on Zechariah 9:9–10 is wonderfully Christocentric while remaining attentive to the original context, providing a roadmap for preaching Jesus from the Old Testament. Chapter 6 on the Day of the Lord is arguably the standout, despite its brevity. In only nine pages it adequately orientates the reader to the Day of the Lord in the Old Testament, the ancient Near Eastern context, Second Temple Literature, and the New Testament.

Third, the introductory and concluding chapters offer a superb background and theological framework for understanding the Minor Prophets. Indeed, these chapters alone would prove worthy as an introductory textbook for any course on the Book of the Twelve. Additionally, the footnotes throughout the book evidence the research undertaken and, while not excessive, provide plenty for the interested reader to pursue. The Minor Prophets orientates the reader well and provides a solid basis and foundation for conducting serious study of the Minor Prophets.

One issue with this volume is the authors’ perceived agenda. Two themes appear repeatedly, one lauded and the other condemned: creation care and consumerism. It is undeniable that YHWH is presented as Creator in the Minor Prophets (e.g., Amos 4:13; 5:8; 9:5–6), and that one implication is that his people must care for creation (pp. 124–29), but the theme is not as pervasive or prominent as Bartholomew and Thomas suggest. On the other hand, consumerism is frequently the target of prophetic condemnation. While aspects of consumerism obviously foster sinfulness and are certainly confronted by the content of the Minor Prophets, it is somewhat curious that other aspects of so-called Christian culture do not face the same sharp criticism. What of gossip, or pornography, or bullying, or celebrity culture? Surely these features of so-called western Christianity likewise fall short of Micah’s call to do justice (Mic 6:6–8; pp. 189–201). Each of these features fail to do justice by denigrating, abusing, or worshiping people—none of which is just for those involved. The persistent presence of these two issues, without any explanation as to why they are the repeatedly chosen examples, unfortunately proved a distraction from the otherwise excellent content.

Despite this relatively minor issue, I commend this volume. Personally, I will review my lectures on the Book of the Twelve with this volume in hand and add it to the recommended reading list. Teachers and students will find it valuable. In my estimation, however, it will be most beneficial to the preacher. It will be the first book I pick up whenever I preach the Minor Prophets. Indeed, I think the preacher is the book’s key audience. Every pastor should have Bartholomew and Thomas’s The Minor Prophets on their shelf and, after the biblical text itself, it should be the first book read in preparing to preach any one of the Book of the Twelve—for nowhere else will one find such a well-researched but concise survey of the biblical material.