What the Bible Teaches, Old Testament Series: Joshua by Stephen Grant, Judges by Colin Lacey, Ruth by Jim Flanigan; published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd.; price £19.99.
The high standard of the first five volumes of this series has been maintained in this newest one which has just been published. Three writers, two of them new to the series, have given their best efforts to this commentary on the three books of the Old Testament which follow the Pentateuch. The result is a good blend of doctrinal, practical, and devotional truth which will be helpful to all who take the time to read and digest its pages alongside the text of Scripture.
For each book considered, an extensive and critically appraised Bibliography is at the beginning, followed by an interesting Introduction, then a helpful Outline of the Book. These are especially beneficial. As before, the text of the commentary is split up into appropriate divisions and subdivisions with relevant titles which help to focus thought. Like the other Old Testament volumes, it is not a commentary verse by verse, rather by paragraphs which are, not surprisingly, found to be of very different lengths depending on subject matter.
The allocation of space to each of the three books is proportionate, in that Joshua’s 24 chapters are dealt with in 258 pages, Judges’ 21 chapters are given 200 pages, and for Ruth’s 4 chapters, 55 pages are used. Each author quotes from selected works of others, and this gives greater breadth and interest. Technicalities are kept to a minimum, but, where appropriate, Hebrew words are explained. The meanings of the names of people and places are often used to build up a picture and make some useful points, especially when other description is scant.
Since historically and spiritually these three books are closely related and indeed overlap, there is great value in having them brought together in one volume to consider their common thread alongside their obvious differences. As each section is now reviewed, the diversity of subject matter as well as the commonality has been borne in mind.
Joshua
The book of Joshua is considered in three parts: chs.1-5; 6-12; 13-24. Suitable titles for these are given on p.89 (not on p.14 where they might have been expected). The author points out that the main theme of the book is not battles and conquest, but how dependence upon God and His intervention brought the victory.
The narrative format of the earlier half of Joshua lends itself to practical application in personal and assembly life more than the later half, and this is well done. But the more descriptive material, the importance of "land lists", cities and allocations of territory has not been neglected especially in the original context of "title deeds". The very last chapter appears to end too abruptly however!
The comments on the sun standing still (ch.10) are noteworthy. The main lesson is that "God hearkened to the voice of a man", the main miracle to focus upon, rather than debate the mechanism by which the geophysical event may have happened.
Judges
This book is considered in three main sections: The Seeds of failure (1.1 – 3.6); The Saviours who delivered (3.7 – 16.31); The Summit of the nation’s sin (17.1 – 21.25). In this way the high points and the more frequent and deepening low points of Israel’s experiences in "the land" are explored, and lessons extracted along with suggested parallels in the New Testament.
The features of good and godly leadership are frequently examined, essential, says the author, to the benefit of the people of God in every age. In addition, every opportunity is taken to point the reader to Christ, even though some of the characters from whom this is derived were not really Christ-like.
Difficult chapters like 17-21 are dealt with sensitively but faithfully, containing as they do descriptions of some of the darkest deeds recorded in the Bible. Also difficult points like the outcome of Jephthah’s vow are carefully addressed, with full weight given to opposing views and the reasons for them before the author states his own, with which, however, not every reader will concur!
Ruth
Jim Flanigan has already contributed twice to this series, and those who are acquainted with his oral and written ministry will not be disappointed with this new consideration of the book of Ruth. Ruth is approached from several perspectives, including treatments of the place of the book in Jewish liturgy, its prophetic relevance (in relation to both Jew and Gentile), and its place in the genealogy of the Lord Himself. Our attention is drawn to the sovereign grace of God in the lives of otherwise ordinary people, and to the resoluteness of a young woman to go with an older widow.
Overall, the heart of the reader will be uplifted again with the touching story of the Moabite widow who takes her place in the most exalted lineage of Scripture, the history of "The Stranger" who became "The Mother".
In conclusion, this sixth volume in the current series will make a worthy addition to the Bible student’s bookshelf. The greatest benefit, however, will be gained when the book(s) is/are taken off the shelf and used – for personal study and for help in preparation of material to share with others.
RWC; IJW
