These books are set after the Jews’ return from the Babylonian exile. Once again, the people of Israel have gone their own way and have neglected God’s will. These prophetic works explore the tensions that surround YHWH’s second temple and the trials that Israel faced in returning to God in order to be a blessing for the whole world.

These books, which come from a relatively prosperous time in Israel’s history, are too often not given the attention they deserve. We are called to keep our eyes on God both individually and collectively as God’s living temple, a message just as applicable today as it was in the time of ancient Israel. The author of this this NIV Application Commentary volume, Mark J. Boda, walks us through the original meanings of these books and connects them to our everyday lives.

Many Bible commentaries offer us an exciting tour through the ancient world of Biblical times. They give us cultural backdrop and add new, wonderful layers of meaning to familiar stories and passages. But when the time comes to return to normal, everyday life, we are left disconnected from the memories of our trip—without the knowledge of practical, real-life application. This is where the NIV Application Commentary series picks up the task. It merges the original, ancient context with right now, showing us both how ancient readers would have read the Bible and how we can connect to this living word of God from a modern context. Most importantly, however, it helps us begin the life-changing process of true application, showing how God’s word can continue to have a powerful voice in our lives today.

The NIV Application Commentary uses a highly accessible, three-tiered method of bringing readers to a fuller understanding of each Biblical book. Original Meaning will explore a book’s meaning in light of its historical and cultural context. Bridging Contexts, as its name implies, will help the reader link the text’s original meaning to its Contemporary Significance—the final tier that helps you apply the Bible to everyday life.

“This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation.”

-Billy Graham

“It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application.

Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we've missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing ‘doers of the Word.’”

-Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church