The format of the book is specifically designed for pastors and teachers to teach the books of Judges and Ruth, as the commentary series name would imply. However, I purchased this book because I have a special interest in the books of Judges and Ruth, not because I plan to teach it anytime in the near future. I don’t usually read commentaries cover to cover, but because of my special interest, I have read this one (I must admit I did not read every endnote or the bibliography).
One thing that I like about this commentary is the general format. Each chapter, except the book introduction, follows the following format: A section of the “Big Idea” and “Key Themes” for the text to be examined. This is followed by “Understanding the Text” literary context and structure, historical and cultural background and interpretive insights (examining key words and phrases). The author then moves on to theological insights with suggestions for teaching and illustrating text. There are many sidebars with helpful side information. Each chapter is a good size for personal devotions and for teaching the text, typically 6 to 8 pages.
I have learned a lot and found many insights that I've missed in the past. Thank you.
Some of the suggested illustrations are useful, but others seem to be trying to find an illustration from the secular world that does not really
illustrate the text very well (i.e. they seem a bit "forced").
Things I like a lot:
• The author clearly interprets the text literally. He does not look for reasons to excuse or reinterpret texts that seem offensive, as too may others do. For example, he does not try to explain away Jepthtah’s burnt offering.
• There are many parallels drawn between stories, individual, themes, etc. Things that many casual readers would miss. These are very helpful.
• I like that the author uses the term ‘composer’ rather than ‘author’ for the person(s) that put together the book of Judges, recognizing that as Scripture, God is the ultimate Author of the text.
The book is too short. Too many important areas are not given enough time. For example:
• The short section on Hebrews 11 (p. 79-80) MUST be expanded. It is far too big an issue to be given such a short explanation. If this is not solidly understood, it will throw into question many of the author’s conclusions with regard to each of the judges mentioned.
• A very short comparison of the difference between a wife and a concubine might better be expanded to a proper sidebar, around p. 57 or p. 160. The difference between a wife and concubine is significant and referenced throughout the Old Testament. And this difference is often misunderstood and does not have an easy parallel to contemporary society so more detail would be appreciated.
• Over all, I'd like more...
The things I do not care for in this commentary seem to be the result of the series editor or the publisher. For example:
• There are only four black and white (color would help quite a bit) maps in the book. Since there is some geographical relevance to most of the judges, more maps would have been helpful. (p. 34, 44, 116, 187)
• I would be nice if the author would have begun each chapter with his own translation of the text to be examined. Throughout each chapter he explains which translation(s) he believes is most correct, sometimes his own, and having the complete text, as he would interpret it, would be nice.
• Sidebars have footnotes, but the main body of each chapter relies upon endnotes. I would prefer footnotes, especially for the notes that add
information beyond that of an outside reference. Endnotes are distracting and take too much time to locate. The lack of chapter numbers does not help either
• I think it is silly to abbreviate the names of books of the bible. Ink is cheap and there is no good reason, for example, to abbreviate Judges as Judg. or Joshua as Josh..
• Although the introduction mentions, and many of the chapters refer to, the fact that stories in the book of Judges are not in historical order, much more could be said about this and evidence brought out. The occasional references are not enough (p. 9-11). This, with the “Historical Setting and Composition” could be a whole chapter itself.
I could go on, however, I do like the book for what it does have.
One way that I express my pleasure with is a book is that I buy copies and share them with others. I've already done that with your book.
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