God used Hosea and Amos--one right after the other--to announce to the Northern Kingdom (Israel) that God's patience had at last ended and that the hour of decision had arrived. These prophets challenged Israel to repent now or face God's immediate judgment and endure pitiless conquest and plundering at the hands of the merciless Assyrians.

Both prophecies end with the assurance of God's abiding love for His people and His absolute pledge of their cleansing and restoration.

Designed for lay people, the Everyman's Bible Commentary Series deals seriously with biblical texts without being overly technical.