The 2008 Preaching Survey of Bibles and Bible References

John Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, (Preaching the Word Series; Crossway; hb., 665 pp) provides good sermons through this narrative text where preachers often struggle. Woodhouse has an eye to how the OT points us to Christ.

1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, edited by Marco Conti (IVP; hb., 384 pp.) is a new volume in the ACCS series. I appreciate the value of the Patristics, but the format used here (brief excerpts from different authors) means that it is difficult to get much value in sermon preparation. After using other sources, if there is extra time this can be consulted to see if there is something to glean.

Ezra & Nehemiah, by Matthew Levering (BTCB; Baker; hb., 236 pp.), in keeping with the series focuses on how these books fit within the overall story of the Bible. He clearly states that he will not focus on literary and historical issues since those are dealt with in other commentaries. This is a good addition to other commentaries helping preachers take the step from close examination of the text to seeing how each portion of this story fits in the whole flow of redemption. It is not the final statement on theology in these books but points the way to thinking more theologically in these books.

Debra Reid’s Esther (TOTC; IVP; pb., 168 pp.), a new replacement volume, is a good, brief commentary with particular attention to the literary aspects of the story.

The Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings, ed. Longman and Enns (IVP; hb., 967 pp.) is another good entry in the IVP Dictionary series. 148 articles cover Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Ruth and Esther. As in previous volumes of this series there is a survey article on each book. However, in this volume there is also a separate article on the ANE background and one on the history of interpretation of each book. There are also a number of article on various aspects of Hebrew poetry. This will be a standard reference work and a great help in studying these books.