Despite the brevity of Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, these books contain forceful messages. Whether we’re in need of comfort when our lives are spinning out of control, stronger faith in the face of adversity, or clarity when it comes to understanding our relationship with God, these Minor Prophets speak to our fundamental human needs with a surprising amount of relevance. After all, the heart of humanity is not so different than it was for these harbingers of God’s will. The imperfections of these prophets, such as Jonah’s attempt to run away from God and Habakkuk’s ready willingness to question Him, remind us that even flawed individuals can still be vessels for God’s will. In the end, God’s chosen people are victorious in their faith even under harsh persecution.

James Bruckner not only guides us through the original meanings of these prophetic works, but connects them to our everyday lives in order to help us apply their timeless truths in this volume of the NIV Application Commentary series.

Many Bible commentaries offer us an exciting tour through the ancient world of Biblical times. They give us cultural backdrop and add new, wonderful layers of meaning to familiar stories and passages. But when the time comes to return to normal, everyday life, we are left disconnected from the memories of our trip—without the knowledge of practical, real-life application. This is where the NIV Application Commentary series picks up the task. It merges the original, ancient context with right now, showing us both how ancient readers would have read the Bible and how we can connect to this living word of God from a modern context. Most importantly, however, it helps us begin the life-changing process of true application, showing how God’s word can continue to have a powerful voice in our lives today.

The NIV Application Commentary uses a highly accessible, three-tiered method of bringing readers to a fuller understanding of each Biblical book. Original Meaning will explore a book’s meaning in light of its historical and cultural context. Bridging Contexts, as its name implies, will help the reader link the text’s original meaning to its Contemporary Significance—the final tier that helps you apply the Bible to everyday life.

“This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation.”

-Billy Graham

“It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application.

Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we've missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing ‘doers of the Word.’”

-Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church