Jeremiah

Hwang’s contribution is considerably more impressive than its relatively modest size might suggest. He has an unusual ability to bring together Jeremiah’s literary complexity, historical setting and theological message without flattening any of them. His emphasis on Jeremiah as a “book of books,” the relational anguish and pathos of God, the movement of God’s mission from Judah to the nations, exile, restoration and the new covenant gives the book remarkable coherence. He is also particularly good at correcting familiar misreadings, including individualistic uses of Jeremiah 29:11 and overly sharp contrasts between the old and new covenants. Much of the underlying material can be found separately in earlier scholarship, but Hwang integrates it exceptionally well and frequently makes illuminating connections of his own. It lacks the technical depth of Goldingay, Allen, Lundbom or McKane, but for the balance of exegetical insight, biblical theology and usefulness for teaching and preaching, this is outstanding.

Hwang’s commentary includes excellent insights into literary matters and draws good connections to larger theological issues. The passage-by-passage commentary takes a biblical-theological and broadly Reformed approach to interpreting and applying the text. [Full Review]

With his interesting method of thinking about the communcative style of Jeremiah, I think Hwang has written an excellent commentary on this compelling and confusing book. It certainly inspired me to dig a little deeper into the text, and that is not always the case for commentaries! [Full Review]