Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (The New American Commentary | NAC)
Overview
Since a commentary is a fundamental tool for the expositor or teacher who seeks to interpret and apply Scripture in the church or classroom, the NAC focuses on communicating the theological structure and content of each biblical book. The writers seek to illuminate both the historical meaning and contemporary significance of Holy Scripture.
In its attempt to make a unique contribution to the Christian community, the NAC focuses on two concerns. First, the commentary emphasizes how each section of a book fits together so that the reader becomes aware of the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole. The writers, however, remain aware of the Bible’s inherently rich variety. Second, the NAC is produced with the conviction that the Bible primarily belongs to the church. We believe that scholarship and the academy provide an indispensable foundation for biblical understanding and the service of Christ, but the editors and authors of this series have attempted to communicate the findings of their research in a manner that will build up the whole body of Christ. Thus, the commentary concentrates on theological exegesis, while providing practical, applicable exposition.
Top Highlights
“Micah appears to have had a threefold purpose: first, to present the nature of God’s complaint against his covenant people (1:2–7; 2:6–11; 3:1–4, 9–12; 6:1–16); second, to proclaim the Lord’s certain punishment of their many sins (3:8); and third, to predict God’s sure salvation to come, centering in the appearance of the Davidic Messianic Deliverer (5:2).” (Page 36)
“Habakkuk’s message burdened the prophet, and it burdened the righteous in Judah. How could righteous Josiah die at the hands of a pagan king? How could Jehoiakim ever reign in the place of Josiah on the throne of Judah? Habakkuk, burdened with the apparent success of the wicked, sought to unload his burden on the Lord. Through Habakkuk’s questions, God spoke an eventual message of hope and deliverance to the people of Judah.” (Page 290)
“Finally, God revealed the message itself. ‘It is short but comprehensive.’177 In the day of turmoil and destruction, the righteous person shall live by his faithfulness to God. The answer dealt with Habakkuk’s frustrations and fears. Would God leave the guilty—in Judah and in Babylon—unpunished? Would the righteous be consumed with the wicked?” (Page 324)
“A probable date for the prophecy, then, would be just prior to the fall of Nineveh in 612 b.c. or shortly thereafter but definitely prior to 605 b.c. Keeping the date within the (evil) reign of Jehoiakim would call for a time between 609 and 605 b.c.” (Page 260)
“Habakkuk was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah. Each prophet served during a pivotal era in Judah’s history: 625 b.c. to 575 b.c.” (Page 246)
- Title: Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah
- Authors: Kenneth L. Barker, Waylon Bailey
- Series: New American Commentary
- Volume: 20
- Publisher: B&H
- Print Publication Date: 1999
- Logos Release Date: 2000
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Micah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Nahum › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Habakkuk › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Zephaniah › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781087792118, 9781433672651, 1433672650, 1087792118
- Resource ID: LLS:29.38.2
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-10-09T17:43:03Z
