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Including the Stranger: Foreigners in the Former Prophets (Volume 50) (New Studies in Biblical Theology) Paperback – December 24, 2019

by David G. Firth (Author), D. A. Carson (Series Editor)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
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Biblical Foundations Award Finalist

The Old Testament, particularly the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, and 1-2 Kings), has frequently been regarded as having a negative attitude towards foreigners. This has meant that these texts are often employed by those opposed to the Christian faith to attack the Bible―and such views can be echoed by Christians. While the story of David and Goliath is cherished, other episodes are seen to involve "ethnic cleansing" or "massacre" and are avoided.

David Firth's contention is that this approach emerges from an established interpretation of the text, but not the text itself. In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, he argues that the Former Prophets subvert the exclusivist approach in order to show that the people of God are not defined by ethnicity but rather by their willingness to commit themselves to the purposes of Yahweh. God's purposes are always wider than Israel alone, and Israel must therefore understand themselves as a people who welcome and include the foreigner.

Firth addresses contemporary concerns about the ongoing significance of the Old Testament for Christians, and shows how opponents of Christianity have misunderstood the Bible. His reading of the Former Prophets also has significant ethical implications for Christians today as they wrestle with the issues of migration and what it means to be the people of God.

Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Previous page
  1. Part of series
    New Studies in Biblical Theology
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    IVP Academic
  5. Publication date
    December 24, 2019
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0830829199
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0830829194
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"David Firth carefully traces out what can be learned of the ways in which foreigners were viewed in the Former Prophets. Along the way he draws attention to surprises: a foreign prostitute like Rahab becomes an Israelite, and an Israelite like Achan is cut off from the Israelites. Tracing the trajectories, Dr. Firth opens up biblical texts that are not as widely known as some passages, and drops tantalizing hints about the ultimate canonical move to the notion of God's people drawn from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation." -- D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Review

"David Firth carefully traces out what can be learned of the ways in which foreigners were viewed in the Former Prophets. Along the way he draws attention to surprises: a foreign prostitute like Rahab becomes an Israelite, and an Israelite like Achan is cut off from the Israelites. Tracing the trajectories, Dr. Firth opens up biblical texts that are not as widely known as some passages, and drops tantalizing hints about the ultimate canonical move to the notion of God's people drawn from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation."

-- D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Academic (December 24, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0830829199
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0830829194
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jeffrey C. Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars How are foreigners viewed in the Historical books of Scripture?
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2023
Is Yahweh, the God of the Bible, a vengeful, violent despot who despises the majority of mankind? Or is inclusion or exclusion of individuals based not on ethnicity but on whether they follow and submit to Yahweh?

David Firth deals with this issue in "Including The Stranger: Foreigners in the Former Prophets," part of the New Studies In Biblical Theology series. His view is that foreigners who are obedient to Yahweh are included with His people, such as Rahab, the Gibeonites, and Namaan (and theorizes that Caleb the son of Jephuneh, the Kenazite, was not Jewish). Likewise, Israelites who are disobedient are treated as foreigners (e.g. Achan) and sometimes Israelites are treated like foreigners by fellow-Israelites (such as the virgin girls kidnapped by the Benjaminites).

Some may wonder what is meant by "The Former Prophets." The OT canon we normally use are divided into the Law, the Historical Books, the Poetic Books, and the Prophetic books, sub-divided by the major and minor prophets (designated not by importance but by book length). However, the Jewish canon divides those same books into the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (often referred to as Psalms, which is the first book of that section), with the Prophets divided by Early prophets and later prophets. The Early Prophets include Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings (the Jews did not divide the books of Samuel and Kings).

This is the seventh book I've read in this series. Some books are ones that inspire me; others are ones that leave me more knowledgeable on the subject dealt with. Personally, I would consider this one of the latter. I feel richer intellectually for reading this, but it hasn't really effected my daily life like some of the others did.
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Jimmy R. Reagan
5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Perspective!
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020
This book has two things in his favor. It’s another of these unique entries in the New Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT) series, edited by D. A. Carson, that are theologically astute and make a distinct contribution to both scholarship and biblical studies.The other plus is that renowned scholar David Firth contributes this volume in his area of expertise, the Former Prophets which include Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. In fact, Firth has already delivered an outstanding commentary on the books of Samuel. His deft hand shows throughout this volume.

His premise is that a unifying theme of these Former Prophets Is the treatment of strangers or foreigners. It is a theory that he very well may convince you on because (It made sense to me). Even if it isn’t the overarching theme of these books, it is at least in play in a key way.

To my mind even if you don’t agree with his premise, you have something of a fine introduction to each of these historical books of the Old Testament. In fact, I could not imagine studying these books without consulting this work going forward. To me, it almost does what Barry Webb’s “Five Festal Garments” does for the Five Scrolls. Count this another winner in an outstanding series.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Steven J. Dresen Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars A timely book on the place of the foreigner in the life of Israel
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
This is a unique contribution to the NSBT series which addresses an area that is often overlooked in understanding the Old Testament in general and the Former Prophets in particular and that is the place of foreigners.

It’s easy to assume that there was no place for foreigners in the life of Israel but Firth through his close reading of the Former Prophets helps address that fundamental misconception. I this book Firth addresses the place of the foreigner in Joshua, Judges, the books of Samuel, and the books of Kings. In addressing Joshua he rightly points to how Rahab a foreigner finds welcome in whereas Achan is cut off from the people and throughout the Former Prophets that comes to be a repeating pattern. The foreigners are welcome and included as they come to know the true God, and Israelites cut off for living like the surrounding nations.

Through Firth’s careful exegesis we can see how the history recording in the Former Prophets ties into the canonical theme of the inclusion of the Gentiles among the people of God.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
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