John N. Oswalt

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections:Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written. Volumes and authors in The NIV Application Commentary, Old Testament Set Two: Psalms-Malachi, 12-Volume Collection include: (add bullet points & italicize titles)Psalms Volume 1 by Gerald H. WilsonPsalms, Volume 2 by W. Dennis Tucker Jr. and Jamie A. GrantEcclesiastes, Song of Songs by Iain ProvanProverbs by Paul E. KoptakIsaiah by John N. OswaltJeremiah, Lamentations by J. Andrew DearmanEzekiel by Iain M. DuguidDaniel by Tremper Longman IIIHosea, Amos, Micah by Gary V. SmithJoel, Obadiah, Malachi by David W. BakerJonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah by James BrucknerHaggai, Zechariah by Mark J. BodaThis set features newly designed covers for the volumes, updated from their original editions.

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written. Volumes and authors in The NIV Application Commentary, Old Testament Set Two: Psalms-Malachi, 12-Volume Collection include: (add bullet points & italicize titles) Psalms Volume 1 by Gerald H. Wilson Psalms, Volume 2 by W. Dennis Tucker Jr. and Jamie A. Grant Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs by Iain Provan Proverbs by Paul E. Koptak Isaiah by John N. Oswalt Jeremiah, Lamentations by J. Andrew Dearman Ezekiel by Iain M. Duguid Daniel by Tremper Longman III Hosea, Amos, Micah by Gary V. Smith Joel, Obadiah, Malachi by David W. Baker Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah by James Bruckner Haggai, Zechariah by Mark J. Boda

The first of John N. Oswalt's two-part study of the book of Isaiah for the NICOT series, this commentary on chapters 1u39 combines theological acumen, literary sensitivity, philological expertise, and historical knowledge to present a faithful and accurate reading of one of the Old Testament's most important books. In the introduction to this work, Oswalt considers Isaiah's background, unity of composition, date and authorship, canonicity, Hebrew text, theology, and problems of interpretation, and he offers a select bibliography for further research. Oswalt also provides substantial discussions of several issues crucial to the book of Isaiah. He notes, for example, that scholars often divide Isaiah into three divisions, with chapters 1-39 addressing Isaiah's contemporaries in the eighth century B. C., chapters 40-55 presupposing the exile of the sixth century, and chapters 56-66 presupposing the eventual return from exile. While taking this scholarship into account Oswalt defends the unity of the prophetic book and argues convincingly that the whole book can be attributed to the Isaiah of the eighth century. The commentary proper, based on Oswalt's own translation of the Hebrew text, provides pastors, scholars, and students with a lucid interpretation of the book of Isaiah in its ancient context as well as an exposition of its message for today.

"You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Leviticus 19:2 The holiness of God and Israel's call to be holy are arguably at the center of the theological vision of the Old Testament. Thus, a careful and thorough analysis and evaluation of the theme of holiness is critical for understanding both God and this call. In Holiness in the Old Testament, thirteen respected Old Testament scholars come together to provide a cohesive view of Scripture's testimony to the nature of holiness. They explore the historical and cultural context of the Hebrew terms related to holiness and aptly argue that any definition relating to God must include his incommunicable and communicable attributes--those qualities that belong to him alone, such as his eternality and transcendence, and those qualities that he expects his people to emulate, such as his steadfast love and ethical purity. Furthermore, the authors demonstrate that human holiness must be understood "not just as a response to God's holiness but as the restoration of the image of God in humanity--a key notion for the fulfillment of God's plans and purposes for the creation as a whole." By surveying holiness in each major section of the Old Testament and how it relates to other critical Old Testament theological themes, the authors provide a comprehensive biblical and theological study of Holiness in the Old Testament. The careful student will walk away with a deeper understanding of their holy God and their holy call.

"The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer" --2 Kings 17:13 In this detailed commentary on 2 Kings, John N. Oswalt highlights the prophetic value of Old Testament narrative. The kings of Israel and Judah persist in ignoring God's word. Faithful to his word, God brings judgment on the north and the south. But despite Israel's covenant failure, 2 Kings ends with a flicker of hope that God will fulfill his word to David. Oswalt explains the book of 2 Kings and reveals its prophetic voice for modern life. The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series is a premiere biblical commentary rooted in the original text of Scripture. Each volume includes historical and literary insights and addresses exegetical, pastoral, and theological concerns, giving readers a full understanding of the text and how to apply it to everyday life.

"Keep the charge of the LORD your God ... that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." --1 Kings 2:3 In this detailed commentary on 1 Kings, John N. Oswalt highlights the prophetic value of Old Testament narrative. Israel's fate is tied to its kings, and particularly whether they treasure or disregard God's revelation. A faithful king cultivates a faithful people. But when kings stray from God's commands, God sends prophets to call them back to repentance. Oswalt explains the book of 1 Kings and reveals its prophetic voice for modern life. The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series is a premiere biblical commentary rooted in the original text of Scripture. Each volume includes historical and literary insights and addresses exegetical, pastoral, and theological concerns, giving readers a full understanding of the text and how to apply it to everyday life.

Sixty years ago, most biblical scholars maintained that Israel’s religion was unique—that it stood in marked contrast to the faiths of its ancient Near Eastern neighbors. Nowadays, it is widely argued that Israel’s religion mirrors that of other West Semitic societies. What accounts for this radical change, and what are its implications for our understanding of the Old Testament? Dr. John N. Oswalt says the root of this new attitude lies in Western society’s hostility to the idea of revelation, which presupposes a reality that transcends the world of the senses, asserting the existence of a realm humans cannot control. While not advocating a “the Bible says it, and I believe it, and that settles it” point of view, Oswalt asserts convincingly that while other ancient literatures all see reality in essentially the same terms, the Bible differs radically on all the main points. The Bible Among the Myths supplies a necessary corrective to those who reject the Old Testament’s testimony about a transcendent God who breaks into time and space and reveals himself in and through human activity.

Providing students, pastors and lay people with up-to-date, accessible evangelical scholarship on the Old and New Testaments. Designed to equip pastors and Christian lay leaders with exegetical and theological knowledge to better understand and apply God's word by presenting the message of each passage as well as an overview of other issues surrounding text. Includes the entire NLT text of Genesis and Exodus. John N. Oswalt, Ph. D., Brandeis University, is Research Professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He was the Old Testament editor of the Wesley Bible and also served as consulting editor for the New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. He has written six books, including a two-volume commentary on Isaiah in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series and commentary on Isaiah in the New International Version Application Commentary series. He has been a member of the translation teams for the New International Version and the New Living Translation.

Called to Be Holy traces the doctrine of holiness through both the Old and New Testaments, showing that a holy life is a unifying theme of the entire Bible. Dr. Oswalt explains the intimate connection between forgiveness and holiness, and underscores the practical consequences of walking in the Spirit.

This long-anticipated work completes John Oswalt's two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah. After opening with a valuable discussion on the state of Isaiah studies today, Oswalt provides an insightful verse-by-verse explanation of Isaiah 40-66, giving special attention to the message of the prophet not only for his own time but also for modern readers.