Pick Three Numbers Commentaries

Here's our pick three for commentaries on the book of Numbers.

Numbers by Gordon Wenham

Product Description
"Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah" is one of the best-known hymns in the world. Yet the book of numbers, whose story that hymn summarizes, is seldom read. Why? "Its very title puts the modern reader off," writes Gordon Wenham. "In ancient time numbers were seen as mysterious and symbolic, a key to reality and the mind of God himself. Today they are associated with computers and the depersonalization that threatens our society." In his effort to bridge the great gulf between the book and our age, Wenham first explains the background of Numbers, discussing its structure, sources, date and authorship as well as its theology and Christian use. A passage-by-passage analysis follows, which draws useful insights on Old Testament ritual from modern social anthropology. The original, unrevised text of this volume has been completely retypeset and printed in a larger, more attractive format with the new cover design for the series.

Numbers: God's Presence in the Wilderness by Iain Duguid

Product Description
The book of Numbers tells the story of Israel’s experience, ranging from their exodus out of Egypt to their entrance into the Promised Land. The lives of two generations are recorded: the first lacking in faith and receiving their just punishment from God, and the second believing the Word of God and so entering into their inheritance as his children. Like those generations of Israelites, Christians today are also on a journey between events of deepest significance—from the work of Christ that provides our exodus from bondage to sin and death to Jesus’ second coming that ushers his children into the true and final promised land of heaven.
Author Iain Duguid aids both pastors and laypeople on this journey by explaining the profundities of the biblical text, especially its less transparent portions, and communicating the lasting message of God’s devotion to those who follow him in faith.

Numbers: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture by Dennis R. Cole

Product Description

THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include: * commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION; * the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary; * sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages; * interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole; * readable and applicable exposition.

 

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Suggested Summer Reading List

OK, here we go. I've already been asked for a summer reading list. Some of these I've read, some I haven't but are on my list. Let's hear your thoughts and other suggestions.


Jesus on Every Page by David Murray. If I hadn't already read this it would be first on my list. 5 out of 5 stars. Listen to an audio interview with the author here.

Taking God at His Word by Kevin DeYoung. Excellent. I just reviewed this here.

Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. I haven't read this yet but I'm looking forward to it (I'm just so busy, ya know). Check out a review here and post your thoughts or book review for me.

What is Biblical Theology? by James M. Hamilton Jr. Read my review here. Recommended.

Slogging Along in the Paths of Righteousness: Psalms 13-24 by Dale Ralph Davis. Read more about this book here.

What Your Worldview by James N. Anderson. Listen to audio interview with the author here. Our Sr. high school class is working through this now and its been great.














There you have it. That's my six. Let me know what you think!

Book Review: Is Jesus in the Old Testament? by Iain Duguid

Reading, studying and preaching from the Old Testament has made a resurgence lately and likewise there has been a numerous new books published on the subject. Just last year Iain Duguid made a valuable contribution to the list of books with Is Jesus in the Old Testament? Written for the Basics of Faith series, it is a handy guide to begin seeing Jesus in the Old Testament.

Duguid begins by stating his purpose, Rightly interpreted, the whole Old Testament is about Jesus Christ. This is the premise of the book and accurately stated. He writes, The Old Testament is therefore a book whose every page is designed to unfold for us the gospel of Jesus Christ, accomplished by his sufferings and resurrection and applied through the outpouring of the Spirit on all nations. Indeed it does. Duguid just plainly lays out that the O.T. unfolds the story of Christ.

I most appreciated his statement, According to Jesus and the apostles, then, when you interpret the Old Testament correctly, you find that its focus is not primarily stories about moral improvement, calls for social action, or visions concerning end-time events. Rather, the central message of the Old Testament is Jesus: specifically the sufferings of Christ and the glories that follow...  Too often the O.T. has been boiled down to moral situations that are solved by our O.T. heroes. Though we can learn much about God's morals for us there, the thrust has been misplaced and its teachings misapplied. Hence, all of Scripture points to the gospel.

Then with clarity Duguid instructs how not to read the Old Testament by avoiding some often used strategies; allegorical moralism, allegorical interpretation and moralism.  To say the least, Duguid is spot on with each observation.

In the final chapter the reader gets to the heart of the matter in Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. Duguid weaves his way, back and forth, through the Bible's meta-narrative shedding light on the culmination of Scripture: Jesus Christ and His finished work. And we see that all of the Old Testament, therefore, points to Christ. It is the groundwork for all we have in the New Testament. By far this is the best chapter of the book. The ministry of Christ in his suffering and resurrection is thus the central focus of the whole Old Testament...It is the good news of the gospel that we have been called to declare to the nations, beginning in Jerusalem and continuing until the message has been heard to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

This little volume is perfectly written for the new believer or a high school class. Moreover, it would be well suited to a believer transitioning out of Arminianism. I enjoyed it and I think you will, too. Four out of five stars!