This week’s helpful resource is a book I recently read by recommendation of christianresearcher.com. This is an absolutely must-read book if you want to understand the single meaning of many Old Testament, and New Testament passages. How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets is a book spilling over with how-to helps for reading ancient Hebrew literature. Ancient Hebrew literature would include all the Old Testament and a good portion of the New Testament. Peter Gentry particularly focuses on analyzing literary techniques in the prophetic books of Isaiah and Daniel. Here are just a few seedlings of topic discussions within the concisely written 132 page book.
- The function of Deuteronomy 28 in the writings of the prophets cannot be overemphasized. The prophets consistently allude to this chapter in Moses’ Law which predicted blessings or cursings on Israel depending on their faithfulness or lack thereof.
- The function of repetition in Hebrew literature is an overarching theme of the book. The idea of recapitulation is introduced: the literary use of repeating oneself for the sake of emphasis (i.e. Isaiah is a book telling the same story seven times, from seven different perspectives).
- The great importance of book structure is stressed, in understanding the point of the prophets’ message. The literary technique known as a “chiastic” is heavily used in Hebrew literature to emphasize points and themes within entire books and even across whole chapters of books.
- The importance of understanding apocalyptic language is discussed. Apocalyptic language is the stomping ground of so many exotic world predictions today. Gentry gives a Biblical and sound explanation of this language and how to study books like Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation written in this figurative style.
How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets is an absolutely thrilling read. Understand, this is an “intermediate” level of read for the average Bible student. Gentry is very plain in his writing; however, it does help to have read and own a basic knowledge of the Bible before reading this book. Some people may find the book irrelevant, while others will find their faith in the Holy Word of God taken to new planetary levels. Gentry magnifies the meticulous care and cohesion of the Bible as a single unit of writing guided by the Holy Spirit’s influence of the prophets. If you want to understand the story of the Bible, you will not have gone wrong by purchasing How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets.