Search results for ""author john l. mackay""

Ezekiel was a prophet during the dark days of the exile of his people in Babylon, both before and after the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Speaking to a people who had lost everything, Ezekiel nevertheless had the difficult task of making Judah aware of their rebellion against God – and of its consequences. Through all the unusual and confusing turns of Ezekiel’s account, John L. Mackay provides a scholarly treatment of the Old Testament prophet, without losing a sense of reverence and devotion towards the God Ezekiel served. Offering great depths of exegesis and great warmth of pastoral insight, these two exhaustive volumes are aimed at the pastor and student.

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These prophets were writing in the time period 7th to 8th Century BC. Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah were all writing towards the end of the 7th Century BC. Micah’s is the oldest prophecy here, he was a contemporary of Isaiah, Jonah came in between at the start of the 7th Century. The major prophetic themes of the destruction of Israel’s enemies, the judgement of God upon Israel when she turns from him, and the peace that would result from living in harmony with God, are all here. There is also Messianic and future prophetic themes – such as the eternal reign of a king from the line of David (Micah) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Zephaniah). This fascinating period of Bible history is full of drama, wisdom and insight. This book is an extended edition of his previous commentary ‘God’s Just Demands’ about the first three prophets in the current title.

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The five chapters of Lamentations may be easily overlooked. Not only is it brief, but it is also sandwiched between the two giants of Old Testament prophecy, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Lamentations also deals with realities which we rather wish were not discussed - consequently the book is little studied. However, although there much here to challenge faith, there is much that builds it up. Lamentations was not written in the first instance to serve as warning to others, or to even keep alive the present memory of past suffering, it is the present that dominates the thought of the book.And in that present are overiding thoughts - 'has God left us?'; 'Have we blown our chance as God's covenant people?' 'Is there a way forward towards the restoration?'A popular view today is that Lamentations is a dreary book with nothing to say to today's society. The reality is that it could not be more relevant, more authentic.Mentor combines a high view of Scripture with access to the latest academic theological research. This unique combinations allows the reader to see what recent scholarly research has discovered without losing sight of scripture.

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The book of Exodus is about a journey: a journey out of Egypt, but more particularly a journey from a land where God’s power, sovereignty and continuing interest in his people could be easily questioned, to a place where God dwelt in the midst of his people. Exodus describes God’s power, his redemption of his people, his covenant requirements at Sinai, and the rules of his worship. John L. Mackay interacts with other scholars in either text or footnotes. In addition to exploring the meaning of the text he examines the chonology, authorship, composition and structure of Exodus. At the end of each section he provides a reflective comment.

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