Jeremiah 26-52: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (NBBC)
Overview
The book of Jeremiah occupies a prominent place in the Old Testament canon at least on three counts: (1) its massive size (the second longest book in the Bible and the longest prophetic book); (2) the complexity of its content and message; and (3) the towering prophetic figure behind the book that stands shoulder to shoulder with other great prophets such as Isaiah and Ezekiel.
Alex Varughese's verse-by-verse commentary observes the theological expressions of God’s sovereignty over Judah and the nations in the world found in Jeremiah 26—52.
- The latest scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan tradition
- Convenient introductory material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more
- Clear verse-by-verse explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the passage’s original language
- Comprehensive annotation divided into three sections: 1. Background elements behind the text 2. Verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text 3. Significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text
- Insight into theological issues, word meanings, archaeological connections, historical relevance, cultural customs, and more
- Expanded bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes
Top Highlights
“God’s comfort comes through his grace, and this grace is most triumphant in those who consider themselves as weak and powerless to do anything to save themselves from their broken and hopeless existence. Such recipients of grace respond with joy and praise, because they have done nothing to deserve grace, but they totally depend on the richness of God’s mercy and favor for their redemption and restoration.” (Pages 135–136)
“At this point in ch 33, the theme shifts to a future that will witness the reemergence of the Davidic kingship (vv 14–16).” (Page 182)
“The text also indicates that God’s concern is also to gather and comfort all, including the weak, the helpless, and the powerless among his people. This far-reaching compassion of God does not exclude anyone but it is extended to the brokenhearted and those who live without hope in the world. God’s goal is not to create an exclusive community of the strong and the powerful who would be the special mediators of his blessings to the world. Blessings to all the families of the earth would come through all of God’s restored people; among them would be the blind and the lame—the physically and emotionally disabled—and the weak and the helpless.” (Page 135)
“In the first part (vv 5–7), the prophet speaks to the exiles about establishing a normal life in Babylon. In the second part (vv 8–9), he repudiates the false prophets and their message. In the third part (vv 10–14), he announces Yahweh’s visitation of the exiles after seventy years of captivity in Babylon.” (Page 88)
“This group represents the most helpless and the most physically ill-fit to make the long walk from various parts of Assyria to the land of Israel. But they will be among those whom Yahweh gathers. No one will be left out.” (Page 131)
- Alex Varughese
- Roger Hahn
- George Lyons
- Joseph Coleson
- Robert Branson
- Jim Edlin
- Kent Brower
- Frank G. Carver
- Title: Jeremiah 26-52: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
- Authors: Alex Varughese and Mitchel Modine
- Series: New Beacon Bible Commentary (NBBC)
- Publisher: Beacon Hill Press
- Publication Date: 2010
- Pages: 318
Alex Varughese is professor of biblical literature at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and has been a member of the Department of Religion at MVNU since 1982. Previous to his current position, he served as a professor in the religion department at Eastern Nazarene College. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Kerala, India. He received his M.A. in religion from Olivet Nazarene University and M.Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He also holds M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in biblical studies from Drew University. He is currently serving as the Managing Editor for The Centennial Initiative Textbook project for the Church of the Nazarene.
Mitchel Modine is an assistant professor of Old Testament and the director of the Master of Science in Theology program at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is the author of several scholarly papers, and is currently finalizing his dissertation, Everything Written in This Book: The Perceptions of the Exile in the Book of Jeremiah, for publication.