RevMartinLHawleyPhD

Accessible, Engaging, and Immediately Applicable on the Book of Numbers! In 20 years spent working as a pastor, I find Numbers to be among the most difficult to preach and teach in an engaging way. And so I am delighted to find Jay Sklar's Numbers, in The Story of God Bible Commentary series from Zondervan Academic. What sets this apart from many otherwise excellent commentaries already available for Numbers? In the first place, terrific, easily digested content that keeps to the main themes for each chapter. The concise and focused introduction, helpful illustrations, charts, and maps, as well as the recommended resources for preaching and teaching are premium bonuses. Most innovative and truly helpful for the busy pastor or Bible teacher is the thoughtful three-part layout, which includes, 'Listen to the Story', 'Explain the Story', and 'Live the Story'. Sklar's Numbers commentary rewards the reader with an essential guide through every chapter and prepares teachers of the Bible to both explain and relevently apply the text for believers today. This newest addition to Zondervan's series is so well organized and so very applicable to the 21st century church, it will be the basis for our men's small group Bible study later this year. Truly the most accessible Numbers commentary I have ever read. Do not miss this engaging and extremely valuable Old Testament tool!

I just received Jay Sklar’s latest and magisterial work, Leviticus, from within the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series. This is by far the most engaging commentary I have read with respect to the book of Leviticus. Dr. Sklar brings his years of close research to full scope and depth, building upon his Sin, Impurity, Sacrifice, Atonement: The Priestly Conceptions and his Tyndale Old Testament Leviticus commentary and providing students and scholars alike a tremendous overview of the theological thrust of the book as well as insightful exegesis, in addition to the discourse analysis feature so welcome in this Zondervan series. This is an extremely accessible commentary for students and pastors, as well as those engaged in academic work in the book of Leviticus. Professor Sklar has succeeded in opening up the book of Leviticus and has provided a compelling framework for relishing this OT primer for living as the priestly people of God. I have received a complimentary copy but Zondervan Academic has not placed any requirements or conditions on my review as a condition of receiving the complimentary copy. Rev Martin L Hawley, PhD