Prophets Before the Exile (Understanding the Books of the Bible) - Softcover

Smith, Christopher R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830858148 ISBN 13: 9780830858149

Publisher: IVP, 2013

Synopsis

The Israelites were in trouble. And they had no one to blame but themselves. Rejecting God's instructions for abundant life lived close to him, they went their own way―a way of broken relationships, selfishness and idolatry. Into the midst of Israel's self-caused chaos the prophets came, speaking words of truth and love from God. They weren't powerful or well-known or wealthy; in fact, they came from the fringes of society, from the ranks of those overlooked by most people but seen and deeply loved by God. And they were willing to be used by God, ready to listen for his voice, faithful to deliver it. They were also creative, using poetry and songs to deliver some of the hardest as well as most tender words of God recorded in Scripture. Their message is one we desperately need today in the chaos of our world: Love God. Do justice. Live as God's beloved people, reflecting him to a world in need. This study will help you understand their messages to Israel in their own time and equip you to live prophetically and creatively as God's people today. The Understanding the Books of the Bible series moves groups away from a typical Bible study format into a new approach to experiencing the Bible together. Instead of following artificial chapter and verse divisions, these study guides lead groups through whole books following their natural outlines and flow. They pose engaging questions for discussion with personal implications all along the way, leading to a community Bible experience.

About this title

About the Author

The Rev. Dr. Christopher R. Smith is an author and biblical scholar who lives in East Lansing, Michigan. He served local churches for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts, Ontario and Michigan and is now a volunteer campus staff member with Graduate InterVarsity at Michigan State University. He was a consulting editor to the International Bible Society (now Biblica) for The Books of the Bible, an edition of the Scriptures that presents the biblical books according to their natural literary outlines, without chapters and verses. He was one of the translators for The Voice Bible. Smith has a B.A. in literature from Harvard, a master's degree in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell, and a Ph.D. in historical theology and Bible from Boston College. He has taught visiting, adjunct and extension courses at Williams College, Regent College and the Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale University College). His articles have appeared in professional journals such as Novum Testamentum, New Testament Studies and the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, in periodicals such as Bible Study Magazine, and on websites such as The High Calling of Our Daily Work.

Review

"It is encouraging to come across a project that promotes the communal study of the biblical texts in their entirety, and I would highly recommend this guide to Christian readers wishing to engage with the prophetic books of Amos, Hosea, Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum and Habakkuk." (Karl Moller, Journal for the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament, 3.1)

Edition details

• Publisher: IVP
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0830858148
• ISBN 13: 9780830858149
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 114