The Next to the Last Word: Service, Hope, and Revival in the Postexilic Prophets

Book Description:

Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi - the often ignored Minor Prophets - delivered the next-to-last word to God's people. That is, these prophets pointed Israel to Christ, the supreme and final Word, and warned them against rejecting Him.

Underscoring the truth that studying this portion of Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), Michael Barrett helps us discern the relevance of these prophets for today. He explains the prophetic office, the historical setting of the postexelic books, and their contribution to God's overall redemptive message before considering the specific message of each of these books in depth.

Study questions at the end of each chapter enhance individual and group Bible study.

Author:

Michael P.V. Barrett is vice president for academic affairs and professor of Old Testament at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids

Endorsements:

"A book like this could be so sketchy that its not useful, or so exhaustive that one is simply awash in a muddle of detail. But in length and depth Dr. Barrett's treatment of these three neglected prophets is - like Baby bear's porridge - just right. He nicely balances the 'what' (explanation) and the 'so what' (application), and while anchoring us in the historical context, he insistently and unabashedly keeps our eyes fixed on the Christ-centred hope they proclaimed." ---Dale Ralph Davis, minister in residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

"Michael Barrett's recent work on the postexilic prophets is written from a pastor's perspective and doesn't get bogged down in scholarly details. He lovingly presents these prophets as God's next-to-last word, which leads to God's final Word, Jesus the Messiah. For christians who long for a feast with those prophets as the centrepiece, Barrett's work will be fresh bread." --Heath A. Thomas, director of PhD studies and associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Additional Information: