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Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.The sermons contained in this volume show how masterfully Luther employed the cardinal principles of effective preaching. The Gospel According to St. John was close to Luther's heart. To him this book was a never-failing source of edification, wisdom, and strength. In his preface to the sermons he delivered on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of Saint John's Gospel he states that he is "resolved to interpret these chapters for the common man, but especially to defend and preserve the true and pure doctrine of Christ and of the Christian faith against the vile mobs of the devil, whether present or future." The Reformer commends the words written by the evangelist "to pious Christians as their highest and most precious treasure and consolation."

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.Luther's expositions of the Sermon on the Mount and the Magnificat are masterpieces. Here Luther speaks about faith, about good works, about prayer, about Christian love, about the giving of alms, about war, about bearing witness to the Truth, about virtues and vices of many kinds. Above all, he stresses the everlasting love of Christ. Luther, always fearless and forthright, becomes bitingly eloquent when he talks about greed-greed as it came, and still comes, to the fore among men, women, and children in every walk of life, among many preachers as well as among many politicians. He writes: "This much is sure: as soon as a preacher or minister becomes greedy, he becomes useless, and his preaching becomes worthless. He has to be cautious; he does not dare to denounce anyone; he lets the donations come in till they stuff his mouth. ... Thus he neglects his duty to denounce the wicked." The Reformer also shows that Mary's canticle has an important message for everyone. His outstanding ability as a linguist and his deep understanding of the Word of God are evident on every page.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.When Luther was prevailed upon to write a preface to the projected complete edition of his Latin writings in 1545, about a year before his death, he took the opportunity to review the high points of his career-to show that he really never had the time and talent to produce literature worth preserving, that in publishing these works he was now merely yielding to his friends' argument that his works would be published in any case, if not with his cooperation, then possibly by men who had no real understanding of them. That was one thing. But in that preface Luther also implored the reader of his Latin writings "for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself to read those things judiciously, yes, with great commiseration". With Luther's lectures on the Epistle to the Romans he had a splendid opportunity to share with his students the great find of his life, "that place in Paul which was for me truly the gate of Paradise."

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.Luther did not agree with the view of many Bible scholars who considered the five books of Moses to be of small value. He saw them as a wellspring of all-important knowledge and understanding. Far from seeing the Book of Deuteronomy as a list of dry laws that had little to do with faith, Luther's Lectures on Deuteronomy was an effort to apply the Deuteronomic interpretation of the Mosaic Law and covenant to both the flesh and the spirit.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.In this volume Luther concludes his Lecture on Genesis (45-50). Joseph, whom God has made lord of all Egypt, reveals himself to his brothers. "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt." Although he has the power to sentence them to severe punishment for their heinous crime, he gives them full forgiveness. Since his heart has been pining away for his aged father, he orders his brothers to return in haste to their homeland and to bring Jacob to Egypt. When Jacob hears the good news, his disconsolate spirit revives. Then he and his household- 70 souls in all-migrate to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen.-"I can do no more," says Luther after he has completed his last lecture on the Book of Genesis. But could any theologian have done more?Although Luther was by no means full of physical vigor when he delivered these discourses, his mind was razor-sharp and constantly alert. His comprehensive acquaintance with Scripture is always in evidence.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.To achieve an adequate understanding of Luther's supreme importance in the field of theology, examining his biographies is not enough; the student of Luther must delve into his writings to observe this human being as a scholar, as a teacher, as a mighty and intrepid writer, as a humble Christian, and as a theologian who never toadies or cringes.The Lectures on Genesis, which were delivered in Latin, reveal an amazing familiarity with what may be called the genius of the language. Just as Luther was a master of his native German, so he acquired an all-embracing command of Latin. The editors of this series successfully permit the clarity, force, and pungency of Luther's language to radiate just as it does in Latin.Among the topics covered in this volume (Genesis 38-44) are: Judah and Tamar, whom many interpreters of Scripture neglect; Joseph, whom Potiphar had brought from the Ishmaelites and had brought down to Egypt, his interaction with Potiphar's wife, his imprisonment, and the interpretation of his dreams; and the provisions against the famine that had been foretold.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.The commentaries contained in this volume show conclusively that Luther achieved great things in the field of Biblical scholarship. Luther's language is simple and always to the point. He curries to no one's favor as he goes to the heart of the sixteen psalms expounded in this volume. His attention to the texts is "personal, devotional, political, exegetical, polemical- all at the same time," writes Jaroslav Pelikan. His commentaries contain many references and allusions to errors and false practices prevalent in his time, but after the lapse of more than four centuries the commentaries still have the quality of timelessness. Both clergy and laity will profit much-spiritually as well as intellectually-from Luther's incisive and straightforward words.This third volume contains lectures on selected Psalms.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.The Reformer's lectures on the First Book of Moses must be numbered among the great works in the field of exegetical writing. Unlike many scholars who have undertaken to expound Genesis, Luther is not afraid to adhere strictly to the letter of what Moses wrote. He does not indulge in wild allegories. He does not tear words or sentences out of their context. He knows that Genesis is the Word of God. Therefore he approaches the book with awe and reverence. His is a genuinely Christian commentary.This volume discusses Genesis 1-5, including the Creation, the Fall, the First Brothers, and the line of Adam.

The most complex legal situation in the Bible, writes Dr. Wilch, comes in Ruth. A historical short story, Ruth presents theological truths not in abstract propositions or beatitudes, but in the narrative form of Naomi and Ruth's struggle to ensure their own protection and inheritance. Dr. Wilch focuses on these formal themes while also exposing the nuances of the Hebrew in this original translation. Though a human driven narrative, Ruth is always providentially oriented. God provides for Ruth and Naomi throughout, and Ruth itself serves as a Messianic genealogy of sorts. The Davidic line comes through, of all people, the foreigner Ruth. In Ruth then, we find Christ, both as the direct descendant of Ruth and as the fulfilment of all Scriptures.FeaturesDedicated sections on the Relevance of Ruth today, including teaching on prayer, fidelity, love, sexuality, and more.An address on the textual history of Ruth and its place in the cannonA Narrative overview of Ruth and the legal contextAdditional EssaysMotifs of Redemption, Storytelling, Piety, and the Hidden GodOpposition and Defense of David in RuthAbout the SeriesThe Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the Biblical text.The series will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, with an original translation and meticulous grammatical analysis of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek of each text. The foremost interpretive lens centers on the unified proclamation of the person and work of Christ across every Scriptural book.The Commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture; Each passage bears witness to the confession that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ His Son.Authors expose the rich treasury of language, imagery, and thematic content of the Scripture, while supplementing their work with additional research in archaeology, history, and extrabiblical literature. Throughout, God's Word emanates from authors careful attention and inculcates the ongoing life of the Church in Word, Sacrament, and daily confession.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.In this section of Luther's Lectures on Genesis (31-37) the subject is the mature child of God in the school of adversity.Says Luther, "We have seen the triumphs and glory of Jacob ... let us now also descend with him into hell and see his sadness and terror." Extensive treatment is given to a mounting series of afflictions for Jacob. In every affliction, Jacob "wrestles with great infirmity," and one trial may be termed "light" only by comparison with another.Luther is also interested in pointing out the antidote for all adversity-the comforting mercy of God. This comfort is in Jesus Christ; therefore Luther observes: "These emphatic words, which Moses scatters like jewels here and there in his writings, are wonderfully sweet, provided they are referred to Christ." Luther does not hesitate to draw comparisons: "These things are written to comfort us so that we may know that our afflictions and disasters are not extreme."

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.The Lectures on Genesis are remarkably extensive in their sweep and give conclusive proof of extraordinary diligence. Luther expounds Scripture in the light of Scripture. Furthermore, he couches his treatment of the Biblical text in a language of simplicity without compromising his forthright way of speaking that evidences profound learning.In the third volume of the American Edition of Luther's Works (Genesis 15-20) the great man of God deals with numerous happenings in the colorful and exciting career of Abraham, the father of the faithful. As he does so, he pays special attention to Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, Lot, and others. He is always at pains to point to the guiding hand of God. Human beings often sin-either willfully or out of the weakness of the flesh-but God is always present to shape the course of events and to reveal abiding love as well as unflinching justice.The great master holds his readers spellbound as he discourses on the Biblical narrative and applies Scriptural truths to what happened in the past, to what is taking place in his own time, and to what is bound to occur in the future.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.In this volume (Genesis 26-30) Luther comments trenchantly and in a God-fearing manner on a somewhat complicated concatenation of events in the life of the patriarch Jacob.Esau has sold his birthright to Jacob for a mess of pottage. Issac aims to bestow a deathbed blessing on Esau. But in cahoots with Rebecca, Jacob cleverly succeeds in tricking Issac into giving him his brother's blessing. The blessing is irrevocable. Jacob is sent away to the home of Laban, his uncle, "to take a wife from there." On the way Jacob has a dream that the Lord tells him he will be given the land that he is traveling on. When Jacob arrives on his uncle's land, he meets the beautiful Rachel and falls in love with her. Before Jacob can be wed, though, he must work for Laban for 7 years. After 7 years time, when Jacob was to then receive Rachel, Laban tricks him into serving for another 7 years to get Rachel.Luther discusses this involved account sagaciously and with due reverence. He does not deal in a flippant manner with matters pertaining to sex, for he realizes that the story of Jacob's adventures and deeds has not been set forth in vain. He never fails to bear in mind that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.In this volume, Luther ends his biography of Abraham (begun in Volume 2) and begins his focus on the later patriarchal narratives. Written, it is believed, during an outbreak of the plague in 1539, this section of the Genesis lectures (Genesis 21-25) includes Luther's moving study of the Abraham and Isaac story in which he compares Isaac's obedience to that of Christ.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.Luther's Lectures on Genesis is a great classic in the filed of theological literature. These discourses are clear, vigorous, pertinent, and comprehensive. They reveal vast learning as well as extraordinary ability to expound Scripture in a manner that is intelligible to everyone. Regarding style and method, Luther himself states that in his youth he was "enchanted" by allegories. Consequently, he sometimes resorts to allegorical interpretations when he expounds the Book of Genesis, though always in a manner that is "comfortable to the faith."Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 6-14 deal with the Flood, with Noah and his descendants, with the Tower of Babel, and with Abram and Lot up to the time of Abram's vision and the promise of the Seed.

Godparents share a special spiritual relationship with their godchildren. This gift book helps godparents and godchildren build a relationship that will last a lifetime. With keepsake pages that may be customized to record special events, this ESV edition provides godparents with ideas for special ways they can be involved with their godchildren now and in the years to come. From engaging activities to ideas on how to provide spiritual guidance, this book will help godparents relate to their godchildren and connect with them in Christ throughout the years.

Jesus of Nazareth, My Lord presents the life of Jesus in a way that connects Jesus with every area of the reader's faith. This book is not a biography of Jesus, but a description of God's plan of salvation through His Son, and how He is still active today bringing healing, comfort, and hope to all nations. Author Héctor Hoppe shows us Jesus was born and lived to pour out His blood. Jesus is the fulfillment of the atonement by which the relationship between God and man is established. Only by understanding the deep meaning and purpose of His death can we understand His life and ministry. Originally published in Spanish, this beloved book is now available in English, giving new readers the opportunity to follow the author as he shows how God works in our lives.

The Augsburg Confession: The Concordia Reader's Edition offers you the chance to read and study the Augsburg Confession in an edition designed with the lay reader in mind. You will find a comprehensive introduction and explanation of why and how the Augsburg Confession was written. Before each of the articles in the Confession, you will find a summary and explanation of technical terms and phrases that may appear in the article. This edition also features pictures of the key Lutheran laymen who were responsible for the Augsburg Confession, from Philip Melanchthon, the author, to John the Steadfast and George of Brandenburg, two brave Lutheran leaders who refused to compromise their trust in Christ, and insisted on boldly confessing it before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.The goal of this edition is to aid understanding and give you a fuller picture of the Augsburg Confession and why it remains, to this day, the most basic and fundamental of the Lutheran Confessions, as they are found in the Book of Concord. The Concordia Reader's Edition of the Augsburg Confession is taken from the popular Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord, the best selling edition of the Book of Concord in English.

This book is ideal for collecting treasured memories from confirmation day. This book contains information on Confirmation as well as pages to record date, time, place, and other important information. There is also a section to paste photographs of the event and the family activities surrounding it.

Since 1921, the Concordia Edition of Starck's Prayer Book has encouraged thousands of Christians in their personal prayer lives. This updated edition provides a comprehensive collection of prayers and meditations that speak to contemporary Christians while preserving the richness and depth of expression of the original.Johann Starck's prayers do what all genuine prayers do: they draw the believer into the internal life of the blessed Trinity and teach the joy of living in His presence throughout the day, week, year, the good times and the bad. From the PrefaceThis book is offered to Christians of the twenty-first century in slightly updated garb, who live in a world very different from that inhabited by a Lutheran clergyman of the seventeenth century, in the hope that those who use it will discover, in the vibrant faith that rings through and shapes these prayers from another era, the voice of the faith once delivered to the saints.

Many Christians struggle with prayer even though it's an essential part of the Christian life. "What should I pray for?" they may wonder. "How should I pray?" "What if my mind wanders?" "What if I get stuck praying the same thing every day?"When asked by his barber and good friend Peter Beskendorf for some practical guidance on how to pray, Martin Luther responded by writing this brief treatise, first published in 1535. This edition is a modern translation that brings us Luther's practical instruction, using his ITCP method:InstructionThanksgivingConfessionPrayerThis method anchors prayer in the catechism or other biblical texts, but allows the Holy Spirit to prompt thoughts via the Word, which may be chased more freely by the mind at prayer. Readers will find their prayer lives refreshed and invigorated as they become more comfortable raising supplications to God.

Concordia Psalter is a modern psalter that presents the Bible's ancient hymns for recitation and singing, engaging Christians in singing the psalmody of the Church. As the Church's hymnbook, singing and reciting Psalms has been part of the devotional life of Christians since the beginning of the Church. There have been Psalters in English since the Coverdale translation of Psalms was first introduced in the Book of Common Prayer's 1662 revision.Mirroring the Lutheran Service Book, this new Psalter uses modern English and more contemporary musical settings. Learning and memorizing the Psalms is easier when you use the same translation and settings in your daily devotions and during Sunday worship. Each psalm has been pointed (all verses/phrases are assigned to a simple melody) and psalm tones are provided for easy reference. Short prayers accompany each psalm to aid in your meditation time.

The study thoroughly investigates Martin Luther's comments in the Large Catechism II 66 that touch on the question: do Muslims, Christians, Jews, and pious philosophers all believe in and worship the same God? This study will walk you through the challenging history, interpretation, and translation of Luther's thoughts and will provide you with context for understanding Luther's view in contrast with other Christian thinkers.This book is a result of the conversations and work that Concordia Publishing House did with LCMS Commission on Doctrinal Review to prepare the second edition of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions.

About this VolumeOn the Gospel and Repentance includes two of Gerhard's commonplaces: On the Gospel and On Repentance.On the Gospel defines the Gospel carefully as the proclamation of God's promises and forgiveness of sins for the sake of Jesus Christ. Since confusions continually arise on the relationship of the Gospel to the text of the New Testament, Old Testament, and the Law of God, Gerhard carefully distinguishes Law from Gospel and explains how the Gospel is found in both testaments. Against the Roman Catholic idea of "supererogation," Gerhard explains that Christ revealed the same moral Law as had been given in the Old Testament, but did not add to new laws that are supposedly optional for Christians.On Repentance deals with salutary turning-away from sins, which Lutherans commonly define as including contrition (grief over sins committed) and faith in the promise of forgiveness for Christ's sake. Much of this commonplace takes apart the Roman Catholic sacrament of Penance, defined as consisting of contrition, confession, and satisfaction, as well as the concept of indulgences that is bound up with this. At the same time, Gerhard supports and defends private, individual confession and absolution of Christians before their pastors as a practice fully in accord with Holy Scripture.About This SeriesThe Theological Commonplaces series is the first-ever English translation of Gerhard's monumental Loci Theologici. Gerhard was the premier Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century. Combining his profound understanding of evangelical Lutheran theology with a broad interest in ethics and culture, he produced significant works on biblical, doctrinal, pastoral, and devotional theology. Gerhard interacts with the writings of the church fathers, Luther and his contemporaries, and the Catholic and Calvinist theologians of his day. His 17-volume Loci is regarded as the standard compendium of Lutheran orthodoxy, with topics ranging from the proper understanding and interpretation of Scripture to eschatology.Useful for research on Lutheran doctrine, Gerhard's accessible style makes this a must-have on the bookshelf of pastors and professional church workers.Each embossed hardback volume includesthe translation of Gerhard's Loci (originally published from 1610 to 1625) ¿ a glossary of key theological, rhetorical, and philosophical terms ¿ a name index ¿ a Scripture index ¿ a carefully researched works cited list that presents guidance for deciphering the numerous abbreviations of the other titles from which Gerhard quotes.

About This VolumeOn Interpreting Sacred Scripture consists of two of Johan Gerhard's commonplaces and one additional collection on method: On Scripture, On Interpretation, and Methods On Scripture defends the sufficiency, perfection, wholeness, and perspicuity of the scriptures, while also covering the role of tradition and the history of the canon. On Interpretation argues for the credibility of language in the scriptures, suggesting that it is reasonable to believe that one can understand what the Holy Spirit says through the words God has chosen. Gerhard encourages a predominantly literal approach to the scriptures, but allows for allegorical, tropological, and other supporting modes of interpretation. Methods collects Gerhard's prescriptions for proper, faithful study of the scriptures, including a foundational practice of prayer, the study of original languages, and a supplemental education in philosophy and theology.About This SeriesThe Theological Commonplaces series is the first-ever English translation of Gerhard's monumental Loci Theologici. Gerhard was the premier Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century. Combining his profound understanding of evangelical Lutheran theology with a broad interest in ethics and culture, he produced significant works on biblical, doctrinal, pastoral, and devotional theology. Gerhard interacts with the writings of the church fathers, Luther and his contemporaries, and the Catholic and Calvinist theologians of his day. His 17-volume Loci is regarded as the standard compendium of Lutheran orthodoxy, with topics ranging from the proper understanding and interpretation of Scripture to eschatology.Useful for research on Lutheran doctrine, Gerhard's accessible style makes this a must-have on the bookshelf of pastors and professional church workers.Each embossed hardback volume includesthe translation of Gerhard's Loci (originally published from 1610 to 1625) ¿ a glossary of key theological, rhetorical, and philosophical terms ¿ a name index ¿ a Scripture index ¿ a carefully researched works cited list that presents guidance for deciphering the numerous abbreviations of the other titles from which Gerhard quotes.

About This VolumeOn Justification through Faith defines faith as a God given gift that knowledge, trust, and assent that apprehends Christ. In this way, faith is the instrumental cause of justification, where Christ is the meritorious and material cause of the same. This faith is a judicial term, apprehending Christ and receiving a change of status before God from villainy to sonship. Gerhard also argues that true, justifying faith cannot be separated from love and other virtues. In other words, faith alone justifies, but true faith is never alone. Gerhard expands on the role of virtue and action in the Christian life in his paired volume On Works. About This SeriesThe Theological Commonplaces series is the first-ever English translation of Gerhard's monumental Loci Theologici. Gerhard was the premier Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century. Combining his profound understanding of evangelical Lutheran theology with a broad interest in ethics and culture, he produced significant works on biblical, doctrinal, pastoral, and devotional theology. Gerhard interacts with the writings of the church fathers, Luther and his contemporaries, and the Catholic and Calvinist theologians of his day. His 17-volume Loci is regarded as the standard compendium of Lutheran orthodoxy, with topics ranging from the proper understanding and interpretation of Scripture to eschatology.Useful for research on Lutheran doctrine, Gerhard's accessible style makes this a must-have on the bookshelf of pastors and professional church workers.Each embossed hardback volume includesthe translation of Gerhard's Loci (originally published from 1610 to 1625) ¿ a glossary of key theological, rhetorical, and philosophical terms ¿ a name index ¿ a Scripture index ¿ a carefully researched works cited list that presents guidance for deciphering the numerous abbreviations of the other titles from which Gerhard quotes.

Luther's Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible.Luther set special store by the Gospel According to St. John. He often spoke and wrote of John as the foremost of the evangelists. The tenderness with which the writer of the fourth Gospel sets forth the message of God's love and mercy made a deep and lasting impression on the Reformer. Luther lays special stress on what they evangelist states about the Messiah as the one and only Way to salvation and about good works as the inevitable fruits of that faith. Luther's assaults on those who either misinterpreted or deliberately falsified the Biblical teachings are sharp and devastating. Although he often speaks with the utmost tenderness, he does not hesitate to hurl thunderbolts at those who sought to discredit him and played fast and loose with Scriptural truth. The Reformer's discourses are plain, clear-cut, and logical. He calls John a master in the doctrine of justification.

In Zechariah's time, the people complained that theirs was "a day of small things." (Zechariah 4:10) Israel languished under the rule of the Persians, their ranks thinned and the second temple plain and unadorned. In light of this, Zechariah has sometimes been dismissed as passive and conformist, lacking the fiery words and indictments of Isaiah, Jerimiah, Amos, and other prophets that railed against the disrepair of God's people. In this commentary, Lessing argues that Zechariah stands among the great prophets, merely taking a different tact. Zechariah is a text of rebuilding: rebuilding God's law in the nation, rebuilding the hope of the Gospel, and rebuilding the faith of the people. Taking an approach that is Christological, theological, historical, and literary, Lessing receives Zechariah as a whole text, saying, "Zechariah is God's gift for all living in wreckage and ruin." Read and be comforted by the Prophet who foretold Christ's birth in Bethlehem.FeaturesDiscussion of the chapters 9-14 as a visionary template of Christ's passionBiographical histories on Zechariah, Haggai, Cyrus II, Darius I, and Bablyon.Century by Century overviews of scholarship on ZechariahComparison of Psalm 126 as a microcosm of ZechariahAdditional EssaysZechariah and Apocalyptic LiteratureZechariah and Earlier TextsAbout the SeriesThe Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the Biblical text.The series will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, with an original translation and meticulous grammatical analysis of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek of each text. The foremost interpretive lens centers on the unified proclamation of the person and work of Christ across every Scriptural book.The Commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture; Each passage bears witness to the confession that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ His Son.Authors expose the rich treasury of language, imagery, and thematic content of the Scripture, while supplementing their work with additional research in archaeology, history, and extrabiblical literature. Throughout, God's Word emanates from authors careful attention and inculcates the ongoing life of the Church in Word, Sacrament, and daily confession.

Isaiah 56-66 is the culmination of the prophet's message condemning humanity's sin and promising the Suffering Servant, who atones for that sin, rises in majesty, and prepares an eternal city, the new Jerusalem, for all the redeemed. Among its well-known oracles are "arise, shine, because your light is coming" (60:1); "the Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me" (61:1); and "behold, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth" (65:17). These chapters answer the questions, Do people enjoy Yahweh's grace by birthright or by faith? Who is the true Israel? And what will happen to the Suffering Servant's offspring, the church? God's restoration of Zion's glory is our future!About the SeriesThe Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the biblical text.This landmark work will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, interpreting Scripture as a harmonious unity centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Every passage bears witness to the Good News that God has reconciled the world to Himself through our Lord's life, death, and resurrection.The commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as it emphasizes "that which promotes Christ" in each pericope.Authors are sensitive to the rich treasury of language, imagery, and themes found throughout Scripture, including such dialectics as Law and Gospel, sin and grace, death and new life, folly and wisdom, demon possession and the arrival of the kingdom of God in Christ. Careful attention is given to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek. Further light is shed on the text from archaeology, history, and extra-biblical literature. Finally, Scripture's message is applied to the ongoing life of the church in terms of ministry, worship, proclamation of the Word, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, confession of the faith--all in joyful anticipation of the life of the world to come.

"A Lion has roared; who should not be terrified?" (3:8) According to the prophet Amos, most should be terrified. Everyone really. In this bombastic appeal to Israel, Amos hails God's people with dreadful appeals and skillfully subverts their expectations of a prophet to shock them into recognition of their sin. He bids them to worship only to condemn them for their idolatry. He extols the dominion of the Lord-usually a source of comfort and protection for Israel-as instead an inescapable power for punishment. In this commentary and original translation, Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing provides an original translation that highlights Amos as a master of Hebraic poetry--radical, subversive, and affrontive. He also highlights the Gospel in Amos, especially in the last oracle, with its promise of the resurrection of the tabernacle of David and the gathering of a remnant of Israel and the gentiles to a new creation (9:11-15).EssaysPreaching Like AmosOn Hebrew PoetryAmos' Place in the Minor ProphetsThe Church's Response to Ethical IssuesThe Prophets and Israel's WorshipAbout the seriesThe Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the Biblical text.The series will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, with an original translation and meticulous grammatical analysis of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek of each text. The foremost interpretive lens centers on the unified proclamation of the person and work of Christ across every Scriptural book.The Commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture; Each passage bears witness to the confession that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ His Son.Authors expose the rich treasury of language, imagery, and thematic content of the Scripture, while supplementing their work with additional research in archaeology, history, and extrabiblical literature. Throughout, God's Word emanates from authors careful attention and inculcates the ongoing life of the Church in Word, Sacrament, and daily confession.