In this second volume of a five-volume collection of parashat hashavua commentaries, Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks explores these intersections as they relate to universal concerns of freedom, love, responsibility, identity, and destiny. Chief Rabbi Sacks fuses Jewish tradition, Western philosophy, and literature to present a highly developed understanding of the human condition under God’s sovereignty. Erudite and eloquent, Covenant & Conversation allows us to experience Chief Rabbi Sacks’ sophisticated approach to life lived in an ongoing dialogue with the Torah.

    Ferrell admits that he used to ask himself that question. However, there came a time in his life when he discovered what he had been missing, and at that point he "absolutely fell head over heals in love with the book." "But I had to discover something before I fell in love," he writes. "I had to discover that the most powerful messages--about the gospel and about life--lie hidden just below the surface of the stories in the book. When I learned to ask questions that penetrated the surface, the Old Testament opened up to reveal a wonderland of inspiring truth and practical insight."The Hidden Christ is the author's journey of discovery within the Old Testament, a journey that led him to find Christ in every story, every personality, every occurrence presented in that foundational work of scripture. This innovative and invigorating book explores many of these similitudes in depth, offering a perspective that illuminates Old Testament passages in surprising new ways.Here is the table of contents:PART ONE: CHRIST AND THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLDChapter 1: The Parallel CreationChapter 2: The Fall and Redemption of AgencyChapter 3: God and Man after the FallPART TWO: CHRIST AND THE PATRIARCHSChapter 4: Exploring the Abrahamic CovenantChapter 5: Another Look at Abraham and IsaacChapter 6: Christ and the Patriarchal OrderPART THREE: CHRIST AND THE HOUSE OF ISRAELChapter 7: Temporal and Spiritual Salvation through JosephChapter 8: The Exodus: Deliverance through the DelivererChapter 9: The Temple As the Way of Escape and ReturnChapter 10: Understanding the Law of MosesChapter 11: Discovering DeuteronomyChapter 12: Early Years in the Promised Land: The Pattern of Fall and RedemptionChapter 13: Samuel and the Messianic KingdomChapter 14: David, Saul, Jonathan, and the Allegory of SalvationChapter 15: The Houses of the Kings and the House of the LordChapter 16: Elijah and the Four Great SeparationsChapter 17: The Lord's Question to JonahChapter 18: The House of Israel As a Type and ShadowChapter 19: The Dispensations of the Lord's PeoplePART FOUR: CHRIST AND THE WRITINGSChapter 20: Job, David, and the Suffering of the LordChapter 21: The Wisdom of the ScripturesChapter 22: The Old Testament's Unified Testimony

    Serve God with active hands.As God transforms readers through study, they will be inspired to transform the world. Contributors from across the Wesleyan family join together to help one experience God in fresh ways. The Wesley Study Bible offers easy-to-understand explanations of core terms that cover eternal life, forgiveness, grace, heaven, holiness, justice, and mission. The Bible has extended references to works by John Wesley.

    Race. Scripture. Sovereignty. The book of Ruth entails them all. So readers shouldn't be fooled by its age, says Pastor John Piper. Though its events happened over 3,000 years ago, the story holds astounding relevance for Christians in the twenty-first century. The sovereignty of God, the sexual nature of humanity, and the gospel of God's mercy for the undeserving-these massive realities never change. And since God is still sovereign, and we are male or female, and Jesus is alive and powerful, A Sweet and Bitter Providence bears a message for readers from all walks of life. But be warned, Piper tells his audience: This ancient love affair between Boaz and Ruth could be dangerous, inspiring all of us to great risks in the cause of love.

    It will sometimes happen that where there is the most sorrow in the antecedents, there will be the most pleasure in the sequel. As the furious storm gives place to the clear sunshine, so the night of weeping precedes the morning of joy. Sorrow the harbinger; gladness the prince it ushers in. Cowper says:—"The path of sorrow, and that path alone, Leads to the place where sorrow is unknown."

    In this deeply researched and thoughtful book, Scott Hahn shows how covenant, as an overarching theme, makes possible a coherent reading of the diverse traditions found within the canonical scriptures.   Biblical covenants, though varied in form and content, all serve the purpose of extending sacred bonds of kinship, Hahn explains. Specifically, divine covenants form and shape a father-son bond between God and the chosen people. Biblical narratives turn on that fact, and biblical theology depends upon it. With meticulous attention to detail, the author demonstrates how divine sonship represents a covenant relationship with God that has been consistent throughout salvation history. A canonical reading of this divine plan reveals an illuminating pattern of promise and fulfillment in both the Old and New Testaments. God’s saving mercies are based upon his sworn commitments, which he keeps even when his people break the covenant.

    Richly illustrated with hundreds of images, including original artwork, artifacts, maps, and timelines, the book presents an indepth look at life in the ancient world and provides much- needed context to the biblical text. Discover the origins of the books of the Old Testament and learn how these teachings have been shared and preserved. Explore the role of prophets, prophecy, and politics, and examine scriptural issues that have been debated by scholars throughout the ages. More than 400 topics provide valuable insights into Old Testament times, from portraits of key personalities to controversial legends that have persisted to our day. This unique resource will enrich your study of the Old Testament as never before!

    Inside readers will rediscover the glorious mission of God, freedom from sin, and how the promises of God never fail.Andrew Wilson brings these GodStories to life with fresh and relevant insights on how the stories of Scripture profoundly affect your faith and theology. Prepare to be stunned at the many-faceted gospel story, the greatest story ever told.

    Easy–to–understand language, engaging illustrations, and clear descriptions let little ones hide God’s rules in their own hearts for a lifetime of living the right way.Children will draw closer to God and grow good relationships with family and friends as they learn God’s Top Ten rules, including “Worship God—not things” and “Be good to your parents, obey them, and show them your love.” They’ll dig a little deeper to discover why God made these rules and how they can best follow them.A fun quiz at the end of the book lets readers see how much they’ve learned and gives grown–ups an opportunity to talk about God’s great love for everyone and His expectations for our words and actions. A perfect way for parents, homeschoolers, teachers, grandparents, and friends to introduce the Ten Commandments to God’s beloved children.

    Using the method of parshanut (interpretation) and her own unique approach to biblical texts, Klitsner draws bold, surprising parallels between biblical passages, revealing previously unexcavated layers of meaning. The result is a series of fresh and original readings of familiar narratives, accessible to both novice and experienced readers of the Bible. With her fresh, original readings of familiar narratives, Klitsner illustrates the dynamic nature of biblical attitudes regarding issues of ongoing relevance, such as the self, gender relations, and relations between Jews and non-Jews.

    Here noted evangelical scholars--such as Bruce Waltke, Tremper Longman III, F. F. Bruce, and J. Alec Motyer--remedy this neglect by offering an authoritative, evangelical treatment of the prophets. In this edition, which now combines three volumes into one, the authors not only provide meticulous exegesis of the Hebrew text but also relate the message of the ancient prophets to contemporary life in practical and meaningful ways.

    Free from persecution, free from oppression, and free to worship their God. But with that freedom comes a new challenge – learning how to live together the way God intends. In this ninth volume of Faith Lessons, discover how God teaches the Israelites what it means to be part of a community that loves him and what that means for us today.Filmed on location in Israel, Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals unique insights into the Scriptures' significance for modern believers.The Fire on the Mountain Discovery Guide (310 pages) includes five sessions. Each lesson…- Focuses on passages of Scripture explored in the DVD - Includes sidebars, maps, photos and other study tools- Features questions that facilitate discussion and inspire personal reflection- Includes 30 personal Bible studies to help you deepen your learning experience between sessions, and turn lessons from the past into applications that impact how you live out your faith today.The companion DVD for Fire On The Mountain was filmed on location at the Red Sea, Sinai, Serabit al Khadim, and Jebel Katarina.These illuminating "faith lessons" afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life. The Faith Lessons video series is ideal for use in small groups, personal and family Bible studies, and adult Sunday school. Individual believers and families will gain vital insights from long-ago times and cultures through this innovative approach to Bible study.This Discovery Guide is designed for use with the Fire On The Mountain DVD (sold separately).Lessons include:1. The Lord Who Heals You – Filmed at the Red Sea and Sinai2. Not By Bread Alone – Filmed in Sinai3. Their Blood Cried Out – Filmed at Serabit al Khadim 4. The Mountain of God – Filmed at Jebel Katarina 5. I Led You Like a Bride – Filmed at Jebel Katarina6. The Whisper of God - Filmed at Jebel Katarina

    The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This series invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings.Features include• Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text.• Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more.• Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. • Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.

    Sanderson combines scientific precision and logic with a firm foundation of gospel knowledge and insight in this valuable new commentary on the Book of Isaiah. Dr. Sanderson uses study of chiastic structures, an ancient Hebrew form of poetry, as a framework for interpreting Isaiah’s text, revealing important new insights into Isaiah’s original meanings. Written in a highly readable style and format, Isaiah: The Times of Fulfillment makes an excellent companion for study of the scriptures. We who are now experiencing the trials and challenges of mortal life should pay careful attention to Isaiah’s writings since the latter days—our days—are the times of fulfillment of many of Isaiah’s prophecies.

    Sommer investigates the notion of a deity's body and self in ancient Israel, Canaan, and Mesopotamia. He uncovers a lost ancient Near Eastern perception of divinity according to which an essential difference between gods and humans was that gods had more than one body and fluid, unbounded selves. Though the dominant strains of biblical religion rejected it, a monotheistic version of this theological intuition is found in some biblical texts. Later Jewish and Christian thinkers inherited this ancient way of thinking; ideas such as the sefirot in kabbalah and the trinity in Christianity represent a late version of this theology. This book forces us to rethink the distinction between monotheism and polytheism, as this notion of divine fluidity is found in both polytheistic cultures (Babylonia, Assyria, Canaan) and monotheistic ones (biblical religion, Jewish mysticism, Christianity), whereas it is absent in some polytheistic cultures (classical Greece). The Bodies of God and the World of Ancient Israel has important repercussions not only for biblical scholarship and comparative religion but for Jewish-Christian dialogue.

    It is the inspired word of God for his people, whether in biblical times or for the church today. It is also a fully human book, written by different people in a variety of cultural settings. Knowledge of biblical language and society is essential if the meaning of the human writer is to be grasped fully. The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner accessible to nonexperts, and shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers. This commentary begins with an Introduction, which gives an overview of the issues of date, authorship, sources and so on, but which also outlines more fully than usual the theology of 1 & 2 Samuel, and provides pointers toward its interpretation and contemporary application. The annotated Translation of the Hebrew text by the author forms the basis for the subsequent commentary. The Form and Structure section examines the context of a passage, its use of rhetorical devices, and source and form-critical issues. The Comment section is a thorough, detailed exegesis of the historical and theological meaning of the passage. The Explanation--the goal of the commentary--offers a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology, and a commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament. Written by an international team of scholars, the commentaries are intended primarily to serve the needs of those who preach from the Old Testament. They are equally suitable for use by scholars and all serious students of the Bible.

    The first volume focused on the story of God's dealings with Israel, or Israel's gospel. The second volume investigated the beliefs of Israel, or Israel's faith. Now the spotlight falls on the Old Testament's perspective on the life that Israel should live in its present and future, including its worship, prayer and spirituality, as well as its practices, attitudes and ethics before God. Goldingay sees three spheres of life giving order to Israel's vision: its life in relation to God, its life in community and the life of the individual as a self. Within these frameworks he unfurls a tapesetry that is as broad and colorful as all of life, and yet detailed in its intricate attention to the text. With this final volume John Goldingay has given us the third pillar of an Old Testament theology that is monumental in scope and yet invites us to enter through multiple doors to explore its riches. Students will profit from a semester in its courts, and ministers of the Word will find their preaching and teaching deeply enriched by wandering its halls and meditating in its chambers.

    The late Elizabeth Achtemeier prepared the New International Biblical Commentary on the first six: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah. This second volume deals with the final six books. John Goldingay writes on Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai; Pamela Scalise takes on the longest, Zechariah, and the last, Malachi.Like the authors of other volumes in the NIBC, Goldingay and Scalise utilize what is referred to as "believing criticism" when examining the biblical texts. Based on fidelity to critical analysis and sensitivity to the faith of both ancient and contemporary readers, this balanced approach enriches both the academy and the church. Following the series guidelines, the authors clearly explain the texts with additional notes regarding interpretation and "practical" reflection. For example, Goldingay issues a reminder that when the prophets spoke against the arrogance and sins of Assyria and Babylon, the Israelites needed to hear the word of God as a caution against their own pride and wickedness. He goes on to suggest that modern readers must remember, as well, that the same attitudes and actions that led to the downfall of these ancient Middle East empires can fall upon any and all who follow their example.The New International Biblical Commentary offers the best of contemporary scholarship in a format that both general readers and serious students can use with profit. Based on the widely used New International Version translation, the NIBC presents careful section-by-section exposition with key terms and phrases highlighted and all Hebrew transliterated. A separate section of notes at the close of each chapter provides additional textual, linguistic, cultural, and technical comments. Each commentary also includes a selected bibliography as well as Scripture and subject indexes.

    Notable features in each volume include:• Commentary based on the New International Version (NIV).• NIV text printed in the body of the commentary.• Sound scholarly methodology reflecting capable research in theoriginal languages.• Interpretation emphasizing the theological unity of each book and Scripture as a whole.• Readable and applicable exposition.Gary V. Smith’s second volume on Isaiah looks deeply and in wonder at the God who is both intimate and compassionate (Isaiah 40:28: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”) and larger than our comprehension of time and space (Isaiah 66:1: “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool”).

    

    Miller studies the Ten Commandments as ancient document and as contemporary guide. With careful attention to each commandment in its original context, this book shows the reader the modern relevance of these basic principles, as well as how the ideas of each commandment influenced the New Testament. More than an intellectual exercise, The Ten Commandments applies the call of the commandments to modern-day issues.Westminster John Knox Press is proud to introduce an exciting new phase in the renowned Interpretation commentary series. Instead of focusing on individual books of the Bible, these new volumes will focus on the Bible's most enduring passages and most vital themes, bringing to these topics the insight and faithful wisdom that are longtime hallmarks of the Interpretation series. This expanded Interpretation series will be an excellent resource for all those who teach, preach, and study the Bible.

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    This book proposes that we allow the world imagined in the exodus narrative to form, inform, and transform the lives of preachers and congregations. The Exodus motif engages biblical scholars, theologians, and homileticians from evangelical and post liberal backgrounds with different perspectives as they listen and understand how the Exodus paradigm has shaped and continues to shape our identities.Contributors include:Lynn Anderson, Dave Bland, Walter Brueggemann, Trent Butler, Jana Childers, David Fleer, Joshua Graves, Mark Hamilton, Katie Hays, Lucy Hogan, Cleophus J. LaRue, Jim Martin, Brian McLaren, Rodney Plunket, Dwight Robarts, Daniel A. Rodriguez, Jerry Taylor, and John YorkDavid Fleer and Dave Bland have also edited Preaching John's Gospel, Preaching the Sermon on the Mount, Preaching Mark's Unsettling Messiah, and Performing the Psalms.