Exploring the Bible Commentary Collection (7 volumes)

Exploring Deuteronomy: An Expositional Commentary

• Author: Paul E. Brown
• 256 pages | Day One Publications | 2008

Deuteronomy can seem rather formidable at first sight, but it is actually one of the most important books in the Old Testament. It consists almost entirely of words spoken by Moses to the people of Israel as they camp in the plains of Moab next to the river Jordan with the Promised Land awaiting them on the opposite bank. These are God’s people, whom he has taken into covenant with himself. Moses urges them to go forward by faith into the land that God has set before them. He tells them God’s laws and commandments for their new life in the land, weaving his instructions around the principles enshrined in the Ten Commandments.

In this commentary, Paul Brown demonstrates the sometimes surprising relevance of the regulations of Deuteronomy for the churches and the lives of Christian people today. But such relevance is only to be expected, for God is always the same and his Word, rightly understood, is profitable to lead us to his grace and to guide us in our living.

Paul E. Brown lives near Lancaster, England. He retired after forty-two years in pastoral ministry: first in Southampton (as an assistant pastor), and then in Stoke-on-Trent and Dunstable. For many years he contributed to and edited Go Teach and Grace Magazine. He has authored several books, most recently editing Homosexuality: Christian Truth and Love. He studied at the colleges now named the London School of Theology and Wales Evangelical School of Theology. He is married to Mary, and they have three children and seven grandchildren.

Paul Brown reliably steers the reader through the often-alien landscape of Deuteronomy with clarity and level-headedness. His application to the Christian life, in the Reformed tradition of exegesis, is judicious, never fanciful, and pastorally helpful. There is material here to aid both private study and Bible teaching.
—Dr. David Green, Lecturer in Hebrew, London Theological Seminary

Exploring Joshua: A Devotional Commentary

• Colin Peckham
• 240 pages | Day One Publications | 2007

Joshua—what a book! It is a necessary bridge between the Law of Moses and the rest of Israel’s history, and it magnifies the faithfulness and power of God. Joshua is a very important book in the canon of Scripture, and this devotional commentary merits attention. It provides challenging and penetrating insights into Scripture. That in essence is its objective—to confront men and women with the necessity of integrity, purity and victory through obedience and faith.

Rev. Dr. Colin Neil Peckham L.Th. (Hons.), B.A.(Theol.), B.Th.Hons., M.Th., D.Th. was born in South Africa where he had ten years of evangelistic ministry and youth work before working at a Bible college in Cape Town for thirteen years. He then immigrated to Great Britain and for seventeen years was principal of the Faith Mission Bible College, Edinburgh, Scotland. As principal emeritus he now has an extensive preaching ministry in Britain and abroad and has authored several books. He is married to Mary, who spent fourteen years in evangelistic ministry before their marriage, and they have three adult children and two grandchildren.

If you are looking for a fast-moving, down-to-earth, and challenging insight into Joshua, then this is it. Colin Peckham presents a grasp of the book that is easy to take in—particularly the long historical chapters—and manages at the same time to show how the book’s message is just as vital for today as it has always been.
—Rev. Dr. A. M. Roger, Principal, Faith Mission Bible College, Edinburgh

An interesting combination of Bible reading and devotional. There are twenty-one chapters, seventeen of which deal with the text either as a full or part chapter of the book of Joshua. I wouldn’t normally sit and read a commentary for fun, but this one I found really interesting, insightful, and thought-provoking. And it is easy to read, too.
—Clem Jackson, The Christian Marketplace

Exploring Ezra: The Secret of Spiritual Success

• Kieran Beville
• 150 pages | Day One Publications | 2004

Exploring Ezra challenges the complacency of contemporary Christian culture and calls for greater commitment to Christ's commission. Creative in its presentation of solid Christian truths, Exploring Ezra shows the Old Testament book in a new light.

It is infused with a pastoral passion to see the truth of God's Word understood and applied. As such, it is a book that helps to foster Christian growth and godliness. It traces the homecoming journey of God's people, from bondage to blessing, under the leadership of one of Israel's greatest historical heroes.

It treats a diverse range of Biblical and theological themes (including the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture and the centrality of preaching) in a fresh and forthright manner with a voice that is both authentic and authoritative. Reverent in handling Scripture, readable in style, and relevant in its message, this book is a thought-provoking, vivid work which establishes the author as a standard-bearer for the relevance of the ancient text in the contemporary context. The study questions make it a practical ministry tool for pastors, teachers, and church members who desire to go a little deeper.

A native of Limerick, Kieran Beville graduated from University College Cork with a B.A. degree and post-graduate diploma in education. Subsequently, he taught English, history, communications, and media studies before taking up a post in educational management. With a further diploma in Christian studies from Westminster College, Oxford, he completed his theological training in Bryntirion, South Wales. He has been the pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland, since 1998. He is married to Ber and has three children.

Exploring Esther: Serving the Unseen God

• Colin D. Jones
• 128 pages | Day One Publications | 2005

The study of the providence of God is both exciting and profitable: it thrills our hearts as we see the wisdom and power of our Heavenly Father; it strengthens our resolve as we marvel at the sufficiency of his grace; and it brings comfort when we do not understand what is happening to us or around us. Esther is all about that marvelous providence. Studying it can deepen our trust, enrich our worship, and intensify our love for God. It will reassure us that though we may not always see him, he never loses sight of us. The history of Esther is one of the clearest examples of Paul's great assertion in Romans 8:28: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

Colin D. Jones has been in the ministry since 1971. He became the pastor of Three Bridges Free Church, Crawley, in 1996 after twenty-two years of ministry at Wem Baptist Church, Shropshire. He is a long-serving member of the Council of the FIEC. He and his wife, Chris, have four daughters—Esther, Abigail, Tirzah and Miriam.

Very few modern commentaries on the Book of Esther manage to combine a high view of God's providence and the historicity of the narrative with serious exposition and masses of warm, practical application. This one does.
—Jonathan Stephen, director, Affinity

Exploring Nahum and Obadiah: An Expositional Commentary

• Tim Shenton
• 112 pages | Day One Publications | 2007

Approximately one hundred years after Jonah preached to the citizens of Nineveh to turn "from their evil ways" and escape imminent judgment, God commissioned Nahum to prophesy the city’s complete destruction. At the time, the Assyrian Empire was both strong and wealthy, yet Nahum prophesied that soon the entire kingdom would be crushed forever under the power of God’s wrath.

Obadiah’s prophecy unveils God’s sovereignty over all nations and events, and gives an example of his direct intervention in the political and military affairs of human history. The Sovereign LORD does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"

Both prophecies are a revelation of God's character and his moral government of the world—a revelation that contains a message of hope, comfort, and encouragement. It matters not how many nations oppose his rule or oppress his people; it makes no difference how many spiritual forces of evil ally themselves for his dethronement, for the Lord’s purposes will prevail. All that he has promised will be fulfilled. He is in control. His dominion is an eternal dominion.

Tim Shenton is the head teacher of St. Martin’s School and an elder at Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth. He is married with two daughters. He has researched and written extensively on church history, specializing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Among his published works are Forgotten Heroes of Revival, Our Perfect God, Opening Up 1 Thessalonians (part of the Opening Up Commentary Collection), and expositional commentaries on the prophets Habakkuk and Haggai.

Tim Shenton takes us to the most neglected of the Old Testament prophecies, Nahum and Obadiah, and gives us a clear verse-by-verse explanation... This is a book that provides both understanding of difficult books and comfort for difficult times—and that certainly makes it well-worth reading!
—Roger Ellsworth

Habakkuk: An Expositional Commentary

• Tim Shenton
• 192 pages | Day One Publications | 2007

Why does a righteous and sovereign God tolerate wrongdoing? How are the divine attributes reconciled with the triumph of the godless? Why do the wicked prosper and rule over the righteous? Why does God raise up ruthless and impetuous nations to execute judgment on his own people? These are some of the questions that perplexed Habakkuk, challenged his faith, and caused him to question God’s government of the world. And these are some of the questions that still perplex Christians today. Tim Shenton helpfully addresses these points in a clear and substantial exposition of the text of Habakkuk.

Tim Shenton is the head teacher of St. Martin’s School and an elder at Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth. He is married with two daughters. He has researched and written extensively on church history, specializing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Among his published works are Forgotten Heroes of Revival, Our Perfect God, and Opening Up 1 Thessalonians (part of the Opening Up Commentary Collection).

Tim Shenton has provided us with a very helpful commentary on the writings of this man of God. Careful and clear, it is an excellent aid for every believer who would know and love the Lord. Take it and read. And then, bow before the Lord in worship.
—James Renihan, Dean, Professor of Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary, Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies, Escondido, California

Haggai: An Expositional Commentary

• Tim Shenton
• 80 pages | Day One Publications | 2007

As in the days of Haggai, excuses for apathy are shamelessly voiced, blind eyes are turned to the judgments of God, and defiled hearts sink into unfaithfulness. And yet the LORD Almighty remains faithful to his people and true to his word. Through repeated trials he calls the backslider to repentance, with timely encouragements and gracious promises he strengthens the downhearted, and for his own glory he transforms the sins of neglect and ignorance into the servants of his purpose. With urgency, the prophet condemns the wickedness of waiting, when duty calls today, and of lamenting the past—desiring an experience today similar to that of yesterday. And he warns of the grave peril of expecting immediate material results. It is a message that must be taken seriously by the twenty-first century church.

Tim Shenton is the head teacher of St. Martin’s School and an elder at Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth. He is married with two daughters. He has researched and written extensively on church history, specializing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Among his published works are Forgotten Heroes of Revival, Our Perfect God, and Opening Up 1 Thessalonians (part of the Opening Up Commentary Collection).

The book of Haggai presents a powerful challenge and provides great encouragement for the church in the twenty-first century. Tim Shenton’s lucid exposition of this dynamic book gets to the heart of the prophet’s message by carefully explaining and skillfully applying the text. Although this is a short commentary, the author’s meticulous research has enabled him to enlighten us with invaluable background information which will sharpen our understanding of its urgency and passion.
—Simon J. Robinson, Senior Pastor, Walton Evangelical Church, Chesterfield, England

This commentary is easy-to-read and accurate, offering useful practical applications. Avoiding complicated vocabulary, it meets the need of those who want a concise breakdown of the prophecy. The analysis is excellent.
—Dr. Peter Naylor, Baptist minister for forty years, now retired