Jonah: A Commentary (Old Testament Library | OTL)
Overview
In this volume, James Limburg examines Jonah with several questions in mind: How did the story originate? What is its place in the Bible? How did the New Testament understand the story? How has the story been understood in Judaism and in Islam? What might it mean for people today? And what does it have to say about God, about the human condition, and even about God and nature? In reviewing the book, Limburg gives special attention to the many contributions of artists, musicians, painters, and sculptors who, he says, may have been the best interpreters of Jonah. He also keeps in mind the literary dimension of the text and takes great care to follow the divisions of the book as they were defined by Jewish scribal tradition.
Top Highlights
“When a people repent, God may call off an announced disaster, even a disaster announced by a prophet. Will God always do this? The king of Nineveh is a good enough theologian to respond, ‘Who knows?’ (cf. Joel 2:14). The story of Jonah illustrates the saying of Jeremiah about the potter and the clay (Jer. 18:6–8).” (Page 35)
“The book of Jonah asserts that God has created, controls, and cares for the natural world.” (Page 34)
“The book of Jonah testifies that God cares about all the people of the earth.” (Page 34)
“The story of Jonah makes clear that God may change his mind about punishing.” (Page 35)
“Only Elijah and Jonah among the prophets are sent on missions to foreign lands.” (Page 39)
- Title: Jonah: A Commentary
- Author: James L. Limburg
- Edition: First edition
- Series: The Old Testament Library
- Publisher: Westminster John Knox
- Print Publication Date: 1993
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Jonah › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 0664212964, 9780664212964
- Resource ID: LLS:OTL32JON
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:33:38Z