[close] The writings of the prophets of Israel make up over a quarter of the Old Testament. But perhaps no other portion of the Old Testament is more misunderstood today. "Prophecy" conjures up for many knotted enigmas, opaque oracles and terrifying visions of the future.<ul><li>Who were the Old Testament prophets?<li>How were their sayings, sermons and oracles formed into books?<li>For whom were these books composed?<li>And what are the main themes of the prophets?</ul>To read and understand the prophets today, you need a guide. You must understand their historical context, their artful use of language and their place within the chorus of Old Testament voices.J. Gordon McConville's informed, illuminating and interactive introduction to the prophets is an ideal starting place, helping you become familiar with the text and context of the prophets and their contributions to Scripture. Each chapter focuses on a specific prophetic book, including Lamenations and Daniel. The consistent chapter format will aid you in your study, including sections on date and destination, issues in critical interpretation, structure and outline, theological themes, rhetorical intention, place or function of the book within the canon, and suggestions for further reading. Other helpful features are an informative introductory chapter on the prophets of Israel, a general bibliography on the study of the prophets, and a variety of chronologies and maps.Exploring the Old Testament, Volume 4: A Guide to the Prophets stands alongside the other volumes in this series Old and New Testament introductions as a critically informed and theologically sensitive guide to the prophets of Israel and the literary masterpieces that go by their names. [close]