The answer is: Obadiah

The order of the minor prophets is always difficult to remember. The index in the front of your Bible should help.

The Book of Jonah often steals the spotlight with its sensational story of a prophet and a big fish. However, nestled right before Jonah is Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, containing just a single chapter packed with a concentrated message. Obadiah deals with the condemnation of Edom, focusing on themes like judgment and retribution, contrasting heavily with Jonah's emphasis on mercy and repentance.

Interesting trivia highlights that while Obadiah is about two nations vying for power, Jonah uniquely presents a personal and poignant narrative about a single individual grappling with obedience and divine love. Despite their differences, both are part of the rich tapestry of the minor prophets. They each contribute to the overarching storytelling in the Hebrew Scriptures, showcasing varied dimensions of God’s character and relationship with humankind.

In Jonah, we dive into themes of race and bias, revealing how God calls even those we deem as the "other" for repentance. Fun fact: many people perceive the story of Jonah as the quintessential "man vs. nature" tale, yet it also presents profound textual echoes of mercy, illustrating a shift from righteous retribution to compassionate outreach. These prophets, despite their content differences, remind us that the love and justice of God are fundamentally intertwined. Remembering their order can facilitate exploring deeper theological questions and implications at play in these ancient texts!