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FOREWORD
One who determines to study the prophets,
whether seriously or out of curiosity, will do well to begin
with the "minor" rather than the "major"
prophets. These are shorter, thus enabling one to complete a
phase of his study without getting bogged down in a mass of
unfamiliar material. Another reason for beginning with these
is that the twelve span a period of approximately four hundred
years of Israel's history. This provides both a spiritual or
religious and historical background for a better comprehension
of the longer more entailed prophetic writings.
In his study one will be impressed with the
political, social and moral corruption in Israel and Judah.
The prophets point to the fact that this is the consequence of
religious apostasy, a rejection of God and His truth. This was
true then; it is true today. Such a study and realization will
help the student to understand better the conditions and their
cause in our own time. The prophets sought to stay the madness
of the people, which would lead to destruction, by preaching
the absolute holiness and righteousness of God and His law,
and the inevitable judgment which His righteousness and
justice demanded. The principles involved then are as true
today, for God does not change. Only by turning to God and
away from sin can ruin and destruction be averted by the
individual or nation.
Robert Harkrider, the author of this
workbook, has rendered a valuable and worthwhile service in
providing a compact guide and aid to assist the beginner in
his study. The short introduction and the brief analysis of
each book is clear and the comments well defined, designed to
aid the student in understanding the conditions of the day and
the prophet's message in meeting them.
This is one of a number of workbooks on the
Old Testament prepared by the author. He is to be commended
for his studious life and faithful devotion to truth. This
workbook is commended to all teachers and beginning students
of the prophets in the belief and confidence that the teacher
will find it to be an excellent guide and help to him in
teaching, and that the student will find it helpful to him in
his understanding.
Homer Hailey Tucson, Arizona May, 1985
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