The 2008 Preaching Survey of Bibles and Bible References

Geoffrey Grogan’s Psalms (Two Horizons; Eerdmans; pb., 490 pp.)is a very helpful resource for reading, teaching and preaching the Psalms. The first part of the commentary works somewhat briefly through each psalm, and then better than half of the book summarizes key theological themes and concerns of the Psalms and their relevance for the church today. Grogan has written previously on the theology of the Psalms and does an excellent job here.

Volume 6 of the revised Expositor’s Bible Commentary covers Proverbs to Isaiah, which is really an odd grouping. The commentary on Proverbs, written by Alan Ross, contains a topical index of the book which is very helpful for teaching and preaching. Space is limited for the commentary but it is well done. "Ecclesiastes", written by Jerry Shepherd, has a helpful section exploring connections to the rest of the canon. I am unconvinced though by his argument that the bulk (middle) of the book is to be understood as wrong ideas corrected by the introduction and conclusion. The commentary on Song of Solomon is very brief. The Isaiah commentary, by G. Grogan, affirms the unity of the book.

Gordon McConville’s Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Prophets (IVP; hb., 272 pp.) is a useful resource. In addition to the standard overview topics McConville includes on each prophet a section on the rhetorical aspects of the book and the book’s place in the canon as a whole (connections to the rest of the OT and to the NT).

T. Longman’s Jeremiah, Lamentations (NIBC; Hendrickson; pb., 412 pp.), in keeping with the series, is a brief commentary. Longman does not have the space to deal with intricate issues but gives a helpful explanation of the text. He focuses on the message of the final form of the text and doubts that Jeremiah was the author of Lamentations.

Jacob Westerlink’s Obadiah and Micah (RHB; pb., 134 pp.) is a brief exposition with accompanying study questions. Though it is brief this is a helpful, theological and practical exposition of these two oft neglected prophets.

Sinclair Ferguson’s Man Overboard: The Story of Jonah (Banner of Truth; pb., 98 pp), had been out of print for two decades but is now available again. These sermons provide help in thinking through applying the text, being particularly strong in illustrating from hymns and church history.