This commentary concerns writings which emerged from three successive stages in Judah's decline and captivity — the century of fear engendered by the Assyrian menace (addressed in Nahum), the shock and disorientation that followed the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (Obadiah), and the necessary dilemma of adapting yet maintaining their uniqueness in an alien setting (Esther). All three books reflect the efforts to maintain faith despoite continued assaults on traditional views of the nature of God and the Covenant.