Obadiah
Obadiah's work is preserved in a book that contains a single chapter. Usually works of this length were placed in larger collections of manuscripts and included under the name of a different author. Presumably in this case, editors or compilers believed that the work would attract more attention if placed by itself. The book is the least significant of all the prophetic writings both from a literary and a religious point of view. Decidedly nationalistic in tone, the first part of the chapter rejoices in the fall of the Edomites. The remaining portion predicts the triumph of the Hebrew people at a time when all of their enemies will be destroyed.
Joel
Nothing is known concerning the life of this prophet. A lack of agreement exists concerning the time when he lived, but this is not a matter of great importance. The book opens with the description of an unusually severe plague of locusts and is followed by Joel's instructing the priests to proclaim a fast and to call a solemn assembly, the purpose of which is to arouse the people to repent and reform. After the people "rend [their] heart and not [their] garments," Yahweh will pour out his spirit on all flesh, causing sons and daughters to prophesy, young men to see visions, and old men to dream.
