Focused Biblical Scholarship to Teach the Text Effectively The Teach the Text Commentary Series gives pastors the best of biblical scholarship and presents the information needed to move seamlessly from the meaning of the text to its effective communication. By providing focused commentary, this volume allows pastors to quickly grasp the most important information. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage; sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text; and full-color illustrations, maps, and photos. Joshua covers a critical period in the history of Israel, as God brings them out of the desert wanderings into the land he promised them, through a series of spectacular military maneuvers. Yet readers today may struggle with commands from God that offend modern sensibilities. And what does the conquest and division of the promised land have to do with the Christian life? Professor Kenneth Mathews helps teachers, preachers, and everyday readers understand this important Old Testament book in its original context and apply it for today. While Joshua is historical, it is also theological. The crucial lessons then and now are that God's word is truthful and authoritative and that he fulfills his promises.
"The clear, comprehensive, and cogent exposition found in these pages evidences the wisdom and thoroughness of a mature scholar who has invested many years researching and teaching this biblical book. It is a genuine joy to recommend this outstanding work."-- David S. Dockery , president of Trinity International University "Mathews expertly and thoroughly engages the text in its original context, while maintaining a sensitivity to the pastoral and practical trajectories of each passage. This volume represents a welcome addition to the library of any pastor or professor or layperson."-- Bryan Cribb , chair of undergraduate Christian studies at Anderson University "Mathews brilliantly combines scholarly exegesis with preaching insights in a concise and helpful tool. This book would be an invaluable resource for any pastor who desires to rightly handle the Word of truth!"-- Jon Akin , pastor of Fairview Church in Lebanon, TN; author of Preaching Christ from Proverbs Kenneth A. Mathews (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Michigan) is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Beeson Divinity School.
He is the author or coauthor of several books, including the volumes on Genesis in the New American Commentary series and Leviticus: Holy God, Holy People . He also translated Leviticus for the New Living Translation of the Bible.