Beyond the Book with Dr. Moseley: “Exalting Jesus in Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah”

Moseley serves at Southeastern Seminary as senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew in addition to the role of assistant director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership. In the following Q&A, he takes the time to answer a few questions about “Exalting Jesus in Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah.”

What is the purpose of this commentary, and who is its target audience?

I think this commentary on Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah has three primary purposes. First, the book exists to help people understand this part of the Bible. Dr. Akin and I wrote each chapter as an exposition, or explanation, of a passage in the text. Second, this commentary includes either implied or explicit challenges to obey what God says in this part of his word. Third, we want this volume in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series to show how this part of the Old Testament points to Christ. We want each exposition to exalt him. So, our prayer is that this book will help readers understand God’s word better, obey what God says, and offer worship to Jesus.

What motivated you to write this commentary?

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that everything I have written has been for the purpose of helping people to understand and obey God’s word. That was my motivation in writing this book also.

How do the books Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah fit into and uniquely contribute to the Christ-centered narrative of Scripture?

Both Amos and Hosea prophesied in Israel during the eighth century B.C. Israel generally prospered during the first part of that century, but during days of prosperity the people were unfaithful to God. Through his prophets, God announced his coming judgment. In the latter part of the century, Israel crumbled and fell. These books illustrate the certainty of God’s sovereign control of history as he guides all things to fulfill his prophetic word. That history leads ultimately, in God’s perfect timing, to the coming of Jesus the Messiah. And during this church age, God continues to guide history to its consummation and Jesus’s universal exaltation. Joel and Obadiah are notoriously difficult to date. But wherever they are placed in history, they dramatically demonstrate God’s control over nations and the created order.

What has surprised you most as you have written about and grown more familiar with these books of the Bible?

I have been reminded of how timeless these books are. They were written over 25 centuries ago, but they are as applicable and Christ-exalting as if they were written yesterday.

What common misunderstandings do people tend to bring to their readings of these four books?

I think some people see such books as boring or obscure. Usually that’s because they have not read them, or they have not thought about them very carefully. It’s true that these books can be challenging to new believers, but that’s one reason to write commentaries like this one – to explain the meaning and relevance of this part of Scripture. Such commentaries can also challenge mature believers to apply the message of God’s word to their lives.

How does this commentary further equip readers to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission?

The great themes of these books are the sovereignty and holiness of God, the awfulness of sin, God’s judgment of sin, and God’s grace in offering forgiveness and life with him. Those are also the great themes of the gospel. Our world is saturated with sin and rebellion against God, so God’s judgment is coming. Jesus is the remedy, the Savior, from sin. He has commissioned his church to give that news to the world. These books, and this commentary on them, testify to the world that God’s judgment is real, as is his grace to sinners who repent.

How has researching and writing this commentary shaped you spiritually?

Meditating on all these verses deepened my reverence for God. As I studied, I was in constant awe of God’s greatness and grace. God’s holiness is powerfully expressed in these books, as is Israel’s sin, yet in his grace he repeatedly offered forgiveness and restoration to anyone who would turn to him in faith.