Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

Studies of the prophetic literature of the old testament are quite a few. But not too many of them are really that good. This one is an exception. Though not a perfect study of course, it is a very useful tool in studying the old testament prophetic literature. Does a good job of locating the prophets and their writings/themes in the proper historical context all the while also placing the prophets within the wider scope of biblical revelation. Covers all the "major" and "minor" prophetic books of the old testament. Goes through each book more or less section by section helping one to grasp the flow of the prophet's concerns and content. Fleshes out the contribution of each prophet's message in light of the overarching plan of redemption in the bible as a whole, spanning from the old testament and into the new testament. The author is a christian old testament professor.

Van Gemeren has provided an incredibly useful resource for using the Prophets in the church. He is an excellent scholar on technical matters (see his editing of the NIDOTE but especially his Psalms commentary in the Expositor's Bible Commentary series--arguably the best commentary in that series) but also provides superb oversight of thematic issues that will help preachers understand, arrange, and teach the material in the light of its Old Testament context and New Testament teaching. The prophets, which are too often ignored in church, are incredibly exciting and illuminating when helpfully explained, as they are here. It is hard to read this volume without preaching it to yourself--a rare problem with evangelical biblical studies on the Old Testament. We might have wished for a little more work on poverty and social justice issues, a significant concern of the prophets that (some might say) doesn't come out as strongly as it should. On most critical issues, one will need to consult OT introductions and commentaries as dealing with such is not van Gemeren's primary purpose. For his helpful focus on "consummation" in Christ, his Kingdom, and (ultimately) the New Creation, Interpreting the Prophetic Word provides a valuable tool for understanding the message of the Prophets in their OT and NT contexts, which should lead preachers, teachers, and students to better application of the Prophets in today's world.

I am a college teacher in Old Testament Prophetic books, and I was looking for a new textbook for my class, as most books on the subject tend to be very dry, or over spiritualized. As a teacher we need to be careful not to jaundice the student's eye. This book has been like a breath of fresh air. I have searched and been dissapointed at the few books on this subject. I was even tempted to put one together myself. This book is very good on content and accuracy, without being too focused on any particular Bible Doctrine. Taking the prohetic at face value, in light of the social, economical, and spiritual state of the nations affected. It does however lack a little in punch, being almost too careful to come straight out and say certain things that should be said. Nonetheless, having searched, and read, and trodged from one book to another, I believe I have found my new textbook, and will not need to write one myself. This is fresh, and probably the most current availble on the subject. Thank You, Tim Pritchard B. Th.