The best stories in the book of Genesis involve families. The issues these stories raise-married vs. single life, sibling rivalry, infertility, family relocation, blended families, and the like-are startlingly relevant to families of today. This Bible study examines the families of Genesis, starting with how the Adam and Eve story encompasses far more ways of being family than most of us think. It looks at the sibling rivalry of the Cain and Abel story, pointing to the jealousy and violence to which the whole human family seems addicted. It uses the ups and downs of the relationship between Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and Ishmael can help us understand the complicated dynamic of blended families. Carol Helsel and Suzie Park invite readers these and many other connections as they reexamine the joys and complications of modern family life. This engaging Bible study includes questions for individual reflection or group use.

Joel's arresting imagery--blasting trumpet, darkened sun, and marching hosts--has shaped the church's eschatological vision of a day of wrath. Amos's ringing indictments--callous oppression, heartless worship, and self-seeking gain--have periodically awakened the conscience of God's people. Twenty-five-hundred years later, those prophetic words still speak powerfully. This Tyndale commentary by Tchavdar Hadjiev on the books of Joel and Amos examines their literary features, historical context, theology, and ethics. The Tyndale Commentaries are designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting, and purpose. Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Additional Notes provide fuller discussion of particular difficulties. In the new Old Testament volumes, the commentary on each section of the text is structured under three headings: Context, Comment, and Meaning. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain.