"Although the Israelite prophets lived and spoke centuries ago, their message still resonates in this twenty-first century. Joan Cook captures the essence of these prophetic messages. She does so with an eye toward careful biblical scholarship: historical and political considerations, chronological timelines, and literary patterns. But Cook moves beyond the important scholarly study to consider how prophetic messages speak to the religious, pastoral, and socio-economic concerns of our time. Hear anew these prophetic messengers and discover the practical - and challenging - implications of their words for today."--BOOK JACKET.

2007 Catholic Press Association Award Winner! In Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth, Joan E. Cook guides students of theology, Scripture, and ministry in reading the prophetic books according to the current methodologies for biblical study. She encourages readers to apply the messages of the prophets to contemporary religious and social concerns. Cook focuses on how to read the Old Testament books of the prophets and addresses the pastoral implications. The study proceeds chronologically and biblical quotations and references are based on the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Cook encourages students to engage the biblical text and suggests points for reflection and questions for thought and action based on each of the prophetic books. Chapters are Introductory Topics, The Early Prophets, The Eighth Century Prophets in the Northern Kingdom, The Seventh Century Prophets Zephaniah, Nahum, and Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Baruch, Ezekiel and Obadiah, Exile: Isaiah of Babylon, The Second Temple Period: Third Isaiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Joel and Jonah, and Conclusion. Joan E. Cook, SC, teaches Scripture at Georgetown University. She is the author of Hannah's Desire, God's Design: Early Interpretation of the Story of Hannah as well as numerous articles on biblical women and biblical prayer.

Meet the Isaiah you never knew. Isaiah Speaks connects this famous prophet to such concerns of modern life as Islam and world religions, family conflicts, worship, and globalization. Whether the topic is modern string theory, current per capita wine consumption, or angel sex, Isaiah has insights to offer. Into a world of religious turmoil, political intrigue, and personal searching, Isaiah brought a message of both judgment and hope. In this book, grounded in biblical and historical research, he does it again. Discussion questions, reflection exercises, and prayers help the modern reader integrate prophetic insights into daily life and faith. Get to know Isaiah better either through using this book for devotional study or for lively conversation with others. Isaiah awaits.

Given that Pope Francis is a popular global religious leader, and in the light of the lessons drawn from the nature, meaning, and functions of Israel's prophets, this tripartite work historically, pastorally, and theologically examines whether, and how Francis' teaching, visits, outreach to the poor, preaching, and recent biblically based writings (Lumen Fidei, Evangelii Gaudium, Amoris Laetitia, Laudato Si', Gaudete et Exsultate, Letters, and Messages) have had any prophetic effects or impact on contemporary society.

A study of the book of Genesis is an invitation not only to contemplate the creation story, but to remember with the Israelites their ancestors in faith. Part One of this study covers Genesis 1:1–25:18 (the "pre-history" of Israel including the creation accounts, the stories of the fall and the great flood, as well as the story of Abraham and Sarah). Commentary, study and reflection questions, prayer and access to online lectures are included. 5 lessons.

A study of the book of Genesis moves the reader from the cosmic creation story to the story of the creation of God’s people. Part Two of this study moves us forward from the time of Abraham to the unfolding of his family in the stories of Isaac and Jacob, as well as the story of Joseph and his brothers and their clans.