In his Introduction, Dr. Ralph L. Smith points out:

"The times and circumstances of these seven prophets varied greatly. Their messages were always addressed to the needs of their people in the various times. Each prophet had words of warning and judgment, and also a message of future hope. Their messages of judgment and hope were grounded in their understanding of the nature of Yahweh. Yahweh was a holy, righteous, just, and loving God who was sovereign over history and the world. The day of Yahweh meant judgment for the wicked, but a day of hope for the fearers of Yahweh's name and for those who were faithful to their covenant with him.

"These seven books still speak the words of God. We, like Israel, need the warnings and should 'repent' as needed. But we also need the messages of hope for a new day when the kingdom will come in its fullness."

"Minor" only in length, these brief books reflect major crises in Israel's history from the eighth century B.C. to the dreary days of post-exilic Jerusalem about 450 В.С. Dr. Smith's first task is to inquire about the books' original setting and the primary meaning of the languageas the prophets warn and rebuke, praise and offer flashes of hope. He brings to his task the scholar's linguistic ability and wide awareness of the historical background as well as the history of biblical studies.

But this work also shows that the significance of these colorful stalwarts of Israel's history cannot be confined to their own day. People today are still lured away from the service of Yahweh by the sirens of surrounding culture.  God is still a righteous judge, whose loving call, when spurned, can change swiftly to solemn warnings.