them as the ‘denominations’ of the Old Testament church—became more and more decadent and turned from the revealed will of God. Into this darkening scene, the Lord sent a succession of prophets to declare his will afresh and call the people back to himself. To Israel he sent Elijah, then Elisha and, after them, Jonah, Amos and Hosea. Outside Israel stood the greatest power of the day, Assyria, which would be the scourge of God upon his wayward people. Other prophets—Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,