Micah–Malachi (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 32 | WBC)

by Ralph L. Smith

Publisher:

Word

, 1984

Overview

Explore the mysterious prophecies of Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi by studying their historical context, textual transmission, composition, and theological meaning.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Contents

Top Highlights

“But a new charge is leveled against the priests in v 13. They are accused of being bored with their work. They say, ‘What a nuisance (or weariness)!’ They ‘sniff,’ ‘blow’ at ‘it’ (or ‘me’). They turn up their nose at Yahweh. The MT has אותו ‘at it,’ but the rabbis said that the original reading was אותי ‘at me’ (God). Baldwin says that this is the notion of ‘cheap grace,’ summed up before that phrase was coined by Heine, ‘God will forgive me, it’s his job’ (cf. Baldwin 231).” (Page 316)

“And while he waits for the ultimate victory, he says that he will rejoice and exult in the Lord even though there may not be any visible or external signs of his presence or favor. The words ‘rejoice’ and ‘exult’ each have the cohorative attached. This is the strongest possible way to say that one is determined to rejoice in the Lord regardless of what does or does not happen. Faith means loving and serving God regardless of circumstances. For the just to live by faith means that he is to be faithful to God in his living.” (Page 117)

“This second oracle must be considered as God’s answer to Habakkuk’s second complaint about how a holy God can allow a wicked oppressor to continue devouring the righteous.” (Page 106)

“Why is God coming? The answer is in 3:8–15. He is coming to defeat his enemy represented by rivers, water, and sea, and the enemy of his people.” (Page 116)

“Then he tells Habakkuk that the ultimate solution to the problems of evil and theodicy will be worked out in history. That will take a long time. Evil will be overthrown. The righteous will survive and thrive, but that will not always seem to be the case. In the meantime the righteous is to continue in his faithfulness to God.” (Page 95)

Product Details

• Title: Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 32: Micah–Malachi
• Author: Ralph L. Smith
• Series: Word Biblical Commentary
• Volume: 32
• Publisher: Word
• Print Publication Date: 1984
• Logos Release Date: 2002
• Pages: 358
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Commentaries--Collected works; Bible. O.T. Habakkuk › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Haggai › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Malachi › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Micah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Nahum › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Zechariah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Zephaniah › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781418503802, 1418503800
• Resource ID: LLS:29.38.1
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T20:02:35Z

About Ralph L. Smith

Ralph L. Smith is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Old Testament Theology: Its History, Method, and Message.