The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

As in other volumes of the Cambridge Bible Commentary, there are introductions to the books dealt with, followed by the text of the New English Bible divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it. The preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah gave a new impetus to the life of the 'remnant' of the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian exile. Haggai stresses the importance of the relationship to God of the community as a whole, while Zechariah is seen as a prophet of hope, promising Yahweh's salvation to his people. Dr Mason considers Malachi, dating perhaps from a little later than the other two, a fitting conclusion to the group of prophetic books, in that it reminds its readers of the role of the prophets in preparing the people for God's coming, that they might enjoy salvation rather than suffer punitive judgement.

By filling the gap between popular and technical commentaries, the handbook becomes an indispensable tool for anyone committed to a deep reading of the biblical text.

The collected proclamations ascribed to two little-known post-exilic prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, represent a bridge between the traditions of classical Israelite religion and the dramatic changes essential to the preservation of the fragile Restoration community. Carroll Stuhlmueller's section-by-section, verse-by-verse analysis and exposition focus on the prophetic word as addressed not only to Israel in this "time of small beginnings" but also to the Church today. His primary concern is the theological message of the prophets, yet ever with an eye toward their historical context, literary form, and cultural setting.

Haggai, Zechariah 1–8, Volume 25B in the acclaimed Anchor Bible part of the Scripture known as the Minor Prophets, were written during a critical period in Israel’s history, the momentous return of the Jews from Babylonian exile. Following the conquest of Babylon by the Persian Empire, the Israelites sought to reestablish their ethnic and religious legacy in Judah. This was a time of profound turmoil and uncertainty, and Haggai and Zechariah provided a crucial measure of support and inspiration. They rallied Israel’s energies and exhorted their fellow countrymen to heed the word of God. Under their guidance the Jews restored the Temple at Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar. Together the two prophets guided Israel through an important transitional epoch, and reconciled the influences of Persia’s dominion with the sacred traditions of the Hebrew people. In this illuminating new translation and commentary, Carol and Eric Meyers consider the Book of Haggai and the first eight chapters of the Book of Zechariah in a linguistic, social, and historical context. They underscore the literary artistry, the political acumen, and the prophetic authority of these fascinating volumes that proved so vital to the survival of Israel and the preservation of the Jewish faith.

The Old Testament is not just a collection of disparate stories, each with its own meaning and moral lessons. Rather, it's one cohesive story, tied together by the good news about Israel's coming Messiah, promised from the beginning. Covering each book in the Old Testament, this volume invites readers to teach the Bible from a Reformed, covenantal, and redemptive-historical perspective. Featuring contributions from twelve respected evangelical scholars, this gospel-centered introduction to the Old Testament will help anyone who teaches or studies Scripture to better see the initial outworking of God's plan to redeem the world through Jesus Christ.