This work completes Daniel Block's two-volume commentary on the book of Ezekiel. The result of twelve years of studying this difficult section of Scripture, this volume, like the one on chapters 1-24, provides an excellent discussion of the background of Ezekiel and offers a verse-by-verse exposition that makes clear the message of this obscure and often misunderstood prophet. Block also shows that Ezekiel's ancient wisdom and vision are still very much needed as we enter the twenty-first century.
Appealing to Monster Theory and the ancient Near Eastern motif of "Chaoskampf," Safwat Marzouk argues that the paradoxical character of the category of the monster is what prompts the portrayal of Egypt as a monster in the book of Ezekiel. While on the surface the monster seems to embody utter difference, underlying its otherness there is a disturbing sameness. Though the monster may be defeated and its body dismembered, it is never completely annihilated. Egypt is portrayed as a monster in the book of Ezekiel because Egypt represents the threat of religious assimilation. Although initially the monstrosity of Egypt is constructed because of the shared elements of identity between Egypt and Israel, the prophet flips this imagery of monster in order to embody Egypt as a monstrous Other. In a combat myth, YHWH defeats the monster and dismembers its body. Despite its near annihilation, Egypt, in Ezekiel's rhetoric, is not entirely obliterated. Rather, it is kept at bay, hovering at the periphery, questioning Israel's identity.
In this new volume in the Reading the Old Testament commentary series, biblical scholar Marvin A. Sweeney considers one of the most interesting and compelling books of the Hebrew Bible. Ezekiel is simultaneously one of the Bible's most difficult and perplexing books as it presents the visions and oracles of Ezekiel, a Judean priest and prophet exiled to Babylonia in the sixth century BCE. The book of Ezekiel points to the return of YHWH to the holy temple at the center of a reconstituted Israel and creation at large. As such, the book of Ezekiel portrays the purging of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the people, to reconstitute them as part of a new creation at the conclusion of the book. With Jerusalem, the Temple, and the people so purged, YHWH stands once again in the holy center of the created world. As Sweeney writes in his introduction, the book of Ezekiel ultimately represents "a profound attempt to encounter the holy in the profane world, and based on that encounter, to sanctify the world in which we live." Edited by Mark E. Biddle, Russell T. Cherry Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, the Reading the Old Testament commentary series presents cutting-edge biblical research in accessible language.
The book of Ezekiel proclaims God’s uncompromising judgment against his rebellious people—but also his promise of restoration if they repent. Exposing the depth of Israel’s disobedience, the prophet Ezekiel calls the nation to find forgiveness by turning away from their sin and back to God. Carefully explaining Ezekiel’s often confusing prophecies, this study guide will encourage readers to trust in the God who does not abandon his people but restores the repentant for his glory. Part of the Knowing the Bible series.
Arch Book captivate children with colorful pictures and creative poems. Each book presents a complete Bible story in a fun-to-read way children ages 5-9 will understand and remember.
This book addresses the historical-critical agenda of Ezekiel and includes newer approaches and questions, such as psychological issues and the notion that Ezekiel should be regarded as a "character" within the book.
It's the Bible, now with 68% more humor and 99% fewer begats You've wanted to read the Bible, but it's Uber-long and, let's face it, sometimes boring. You're a busy person with stuff to do. You want the Bible, only funnier. And shorter. Enter The Twible, which brings you every chapter as tweeted in 140 characters or less, from Genesis to Revelation Find out what the Bible says you're supposed to do if a friend starts worshiping another god, your child disrespects you in public, or you break the Sabbath. (The answers to those dilemmas are to stone your friend, stone your child, and stone yourself. In that order.) Learn where Paul swears in the New Testament, and why Jeremiah could benefit from antidepressants. Inside The Twible you'll find: - A tweet for each of the 1,189 chapters of the Bible - A summary of every book of the Bible in seven words or less - Dozens of informative sidebars (print edition only) - More than 50 original cartoons - A glossary telling you who's who in the Bible - Unicorns From start to finish, The Twible brings the Bible to wonderful, wicked, weird life. "The Twible adapts the Old Testament to the light-hearted quipping familiar in everyday Tweets." -- The Guardian, UK "The Twible is the most entertaining version of my dad's book I've read in the last two millennia " -- Jesus Christ] "Twible is the best example I have ever seen of the reverence of irreverence." -- Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours "I wouldn't object if Twibles were in every hotel room." -- Hemant Mehta, The Friendly Atheist blogger "Forget about reading the Bible in a year. Now you can read it in an hour, thanks to the subversive, somewhat disturbed, mind of Jana Riess." -- Peter Enns, author of Genesis for Normal People "The perfect (surreptitious) iPad or Tablet companion for draggy Sunday (or Saturday) morning services. Caution: Not to be used for congregational Scripture reading." -- Mark I. Pinsky, author of The Gospel According to the Simpsons "Whatever you think of Twitter, there can be no speedier or funnier way to read through the Bible than with Riess's Twible providing spot-on interpretation chapter by chapter." -- Kristin Swenson, author of Bible Babel "The Twible is an indelible book that reads like an oddly religious comedy but has the impact of a brilliant jingle that sticks in your brain to the point of madness." -- Frank Schaeffer, author of And God Said, "Billy " "This is brilliant stuff-hilariously accurate summaries of complex material." -- Debbie Blue, pastor; author of Consider the Birds: A Provocative Guide to the Birds of the Bible "This is absolutely the funniest and most fun Bible 'translation' ever." -- Steven L. Peck, author of The Scholar of Moab
The Book of Revelation is a work of profound theology. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many modern readers and open to all kinds of misinterpretations. Richard Bauckham explains how the book's imagery conveyed meaning in its original context and how the book's theology is inseparable from its literary structure and composition. Revelation is seen to offer not an esoteric and encoded forecast of historical events but rather a theocentric vision of the coming of God's universal kingdom, contextualised in the late first-century world dominated by Roman power and ideology. It calls on Christians to confront the political idolatries of the time and to participate in God's purpose of gathering all the nations into his kingdom. Once Revelation is properly grounded in its original context it is seen to transcend that context and speak to the contemporary church. This study concludes by highlighting Revelation's continuing relevance for today.
