BST: Joel, Micah and Habakkuk

Joel, Micah and Habakkuk - these ancient prophets have urgent relevance for a church and world at the beginning of a new millennium. They emphasise the life-or-death importance of listening to what God has to say, in times of disaster, disobedience and destruction.

Joel, facing the bleakness of national disaster, anticipates a future outpouring of God's Spirit. Micah declares that God's punishment for wickedness is certain and just, but that he will preserve a faithful remnant. Finally, facing imminent destruction of the city, the land and the people, Habakkuk remains sure that God's hidden purposes are being worked out.

These prophets stood in their marketplace, powerfully applying their messages from God. David Prior shows that, like them, the church needs to be willing to share God's word in today's marketplace. Only this stand will bring hope, rather than despair, to a society under God's judgment.