International Theological Commentary (ITC)

The book of Joel is one of the Old Testament prophetic books, but it also has a clear and close association with lament literature. Graham Ogden takes seriously the book's lament setting, exegeting it entirely from within that framework. In his commentary on the book of Malachi, Richard Deutsch examines the religious, moral, and social aspects of the early postexilic Jewish community that the prophet was addressing in this brief book.

The "wise" of ancient Israel were concerned primarily with the nature of goodness and the character of faith: What is "good" for humankind, and how should people live their brief lives on earth? Although the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are generally regarded as two distinctly different types of works, Kathleen Farmer demonstrates that they belong together and should be read in light of each other as guides enabling and encouraging us to act in life-enhancing ways that are fully in accord with the teaching of the Lord.

"Here in a straightforward and readable way S. Paul Re'emi takes us into the experience of exile in Lamentations, while Robert Martin-Achard takes us behind that moment into Amos's confrontations with Israel which preceded her exile. The commentaries enable the reader to appreciate much of the prayer and the challenge that these two books expressed, and encourage us to see them as not merely ancient texts but theological resources for the modern world." - John Goldingay St. John's College, Nottingham

When the Jews returned to Israel from captivity in Babylon in the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. they faced many hardships. Despite these struggles, Ezra and Nehemiah believed that God was working with them to accomplish his purpose, which was to restore a faithful community. Israel Alive Again interprets the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the context of the Hebrew Bible, exploring the theological meanings of these often slighted books, and emphasizing their relevance for the church today. Like the other commentaries in the series, Israel Alive Again is intended for the layperson, student, and pastor. Its theological exposition makes it valuable to scholars as well.

Neither Habakkuk nor Zephaniah is very well known or understood by our generation. These Old Testament prophets, who were contemporary with Jeremiah, interpreted events leading up to the total destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian "king of kings and lord of lords," in 597 and 587 B.C. Writing from within a Socialist society, Mária Eszenyei Széles offers a unique perspective on Habakkuk and Zephaniah - a profoundly moving interpretation of the mystery of God's apparent absence or weakness when his own people meet with intolerable suffering at the hands of a cruel totalitarian regime.

The book of 1 Kings tells of God's covenant people wrestling with the myriad problems of political existence from the last days of David to the time of Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah during the divided monarchy. Recounting the past especially in light of the First and Second Commandments, 1 Kings shows how Israel's history is related to their morality, warns of the danger of a divided heart, calls for obedience to God's commandments, and summons the people to repentance and reform. It is out of these concerns for ancient Israel, Rice contends, that 1 Kings speaks to the present: it prods us to identify the equivalent of Canaanite religion in our own society, to use Israel's experience in political issues as a mirror in which to evaluate our own efforts, and to look for God's presence in the arena of public life and service. Indeed, Rice argues, the basic affirmation of 1 Kings is that all nations, not just Israel, are "under God."

In keeping with the international character of the series, E. John Hamlin's commentary on Joshua pays more than usual attention to the fulfillment of the third part of God's promise to Abraham, "By you all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves," as well as to the roles played by non-Israelites such as Rahab and the Gibeonites. Hamlin also takes full account of issues such as war and liberation, land distribution and management, and personal fulfillment. Among the important theological insights revealed in this commentary are God's faithfulness to his oppressed people, the importance of land to the covenantal idea, the establishment of a new society based on justice, freedom, and loyalty and secured through covenant teaching and covenant bonding, and kingdom struggles leading to kingdom victory and pointing to God's final victory.

The book of Ruth, set in the period of the judges, is a beautiful story of the love, covenant loyalty, and daring initiative of two impoverished widows. Together with a generous open-hearted man, they demonstrate the truth of Proverbs 23:18 that applies to individuals, families, communities, and nations: "Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off." In this excellent commentary E. John Hamlin approaches the book of Ruth as literature, as history, as part of the canon, and as truth-telling story.

"George Knight has produced a very fluent and readable commentary on these important chapters of the book of Isaiah, which, more than any other part of the Old Testament, anticipate the Cross of Christ. By concentrating on the theological issues that are raised and by adopting a non-technical style of presentation, Knight introduces the reader to some of the leading motifs of biblical theology. In view of the complex questions which relate to the structure and unity of the book of Isaiah, I believe that all who share an evangelical faith and who have regard for the theological importance of the Old Testament will find this commentary rewarding and enriching." - R.E. Clements, King's College, University of London.

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.

In this commentary Ghana Robinson interprets the text of 1 and 2 Samuel in its religio-cultural context, highlighting the dangers involved in a conformist approach to life, approaching the text from the perspective of justice for the poor and oppressed, and offering a new explanation of the Hebrew word dabhar.

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. Series: International Theological Commentary From start to finish, Robert A. Anderson's commentary depicts Daniel as an exemplar of loyalty to God, a faithful Jew in an alien culture. As such Daniel is a source of inspiration for those who find themselves in parallel circumstances - beset by the disadvantages of their subservient position, faced with the threat of dire physical suffering and even death, and enticed to apostasy. Like Joseph in Egypt, however, Daniel does not withdraw from the world but participates in it. And through prayer, adherence to Torah, and trust in his God - who is in fact the God of the world - Daniel perseveres and is enabled to triumph over the world.

This theological treatment of the Book of Judges is fresh, original, imaginative, scholarly, and relevant. In his commentary E. John Hamlin pays careful attention to the structure and meaning of the text of Judges, and he elucidates the "risk" that Israel faced in the Promised Land - the risk of living among the "Canaanites," of adopting their ungodly practices and their way of organizing society (the way of death). Hamlin's characterizations of the various liberator judges are particularly thought-provoking. Each chapter concludes with "Perspectives" on the text - reflections on the ancient context of the Judges accounts, insights from the Asian cultures among which Hamlin has lived and worked, and applications to modern situations.

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. Series: International Theological Commentary This commentary presents an Indonesian theologian's contemporary interpretation of Isaiah 1-39. According to S. H. Widyapranawa, in Isaiah we see the dynamics of faith in a turbulent world and we hear the prophetic admonition to uphold faith in the Lord and to oppose secularism, false prophecies, and sinful cultic practices. Indeed, this teaching from the eighth century B.C. is of paramount importance for the preaching of God's truth and justice in today's world.

As the most forceful biblical proponent of the ideals of justice, loyalty, and kindness, Micah holds special appeal for those who are concerned about the powerlessness of the poor and humble. In this commentary Juan Alfaro examines the prophecies of Micah as they address both the internal and the external crises that faced Judah in the eighth century B.C. Throughout his exposition Alfaro stresses that Micah does not belong to a dead past; rather, Micah's challenging message of judgment and hope calls for change and conversion in our world today.