The prophetic books of the Lesser or Minor Prophets possess a special difficulty for the modern mind because they are not arranged chronologically, nor according to date. In addition the message, which is spoken by each prophet to his contemporaries, does not describe or indicate the circumstances under which the message is being delivered. They do, however, expose the political and social ills in Israel, her apostasy and denial of her fundamental teachings, and religious principles which are valid and have endured in every generation since. And the view of some of the historical points in the history of God's Chosen People, from the ninth century B. C. to the present has prevailed, and is a necessity in order to relate to the twelve Minor Prophets, and how, and when, and where they fit into history. We should strive to look through and beyond those things pertinent to the time of of the prophet to that which is abiding and significant in order to convert it into terms that apply to our own era and to our lives.