The Bible begins and ends with a revelation of God that gives redemption its basis. From the first verse of Genesis- the book of origins- we encounter a God of personality- character- purpose- and activity. Only in the light of what he shows us of himself as the Creator of our world and the Interactor with human history does the salvation story assume its proper context. Genesis sets things in …
A unique commentary that explores each passage from three vital perspectives: original meaning- bridging context- contemporary significance. Isaiah wrestles with the realities of people who are not convicted by the truth but actually hardened by it- and with a God whose actions sometimes seem unintelligible- or even worse- appears to be absent. Yet Isaiah penetrates beyond these experiences to …
David and Goliath- the call of Samuel- the witch of Endor- David and Bathsheba -- such biblical stories are well known. But the books of 1 and 2 Samuel- where they are recorded- are among the most difficult books in the Bible. The Hebrew text is widely considered corrupt and sometimes even unintelligible. The social and religious customs are strange and seem to diverge from the tradition of Mos…
The NIV Application Commentary Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs. Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs have always presented particular challenges to their readers- especially if those readers are seeking to understand them as part of Christian Scripture. Ecclesiastes regularly challenges the reader as to grammar and syntax. The interpretation even of words which occur frequently in the book is often un…