The lecture deals not only with the isagogical matters concerning the prophetic books of Obadiah, Joel and Jonah but also expands their explanation by pinpointing the major theological themes found in them.
The underlying theological theme, the judgement of God against all wickedness, retains a special twist in the book of Obadiah, which consists in its close relationship with Israel.
The theological themes presented from the book of Joel are: the all-powerful God, the day of the Lord, repentance, the metaphor of locusts in Joel, nature and history and the Spirit of God.
The theological themes of the book of Jonah concentrate upon the following questions: working out the sovereignty of God, worship and thanksgiving, retribution, does God’s forgiveness extend to all and is it possible for God to repent?
Further topics and questions to be discussed include: the justness of judgment, Obadiah in relation to Amos, Jonah as history, universalism and Judaism and literary techniques.
Additional literary reading: Babits Mihály, „Jónás könyve,” in Babits Mihály Összegyűjtött Versei (OK; Budapest: Osiris Kiadó, 2007), 447-458; Babits Mihály, „Jónás imája,” in Babits Mihály Összegyűjtött Versei (OK; Budapest: Osiris Kiadó, 2007), 458.