Rich, In-depth, and Insightful: A Review of Crossway’s “ESV Expository Commentary: Isaiah–Ezekiel”

Volume 6 in Crossway’s ESV Expository Commentary Series is an excellent and accessible presentation of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel. Edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, this book features contributions by Bob Fyall (Isaiah), Jerry Hwang (Jeremiah), Jonathan Gibson (Lamentations), and Iain M. Duguid (Ezekiel).

Isaiah

Fyall’s section on Isaiah was of immediate use to me. Isaiah 53:2-3 was a cross-reference I was planning to use in a sermon, and I was able to see that I could relate it to Jesus coming from the despised town of Nazareth. Furthermore, “the servant is not only ignored but deliberately disowned.” The active rejection of Jesus makes his silence and suffering even more poignant. The section ends with a call to worship, for “in the language of praise we find a way of responding to these great truths and expressing something of their wonder.” This worshipful response is characteristic throughout this commentary.

Jeremiah

I was most interested to see Hwang’s interpretation of Jeremiah 29, verses 7 and 11. Concerning Jeremiah 29:7, Hwang praises the ministry of Timothy Keller while calling the reader to reconsider his influential use of this verse. The issue is centered on the word shalom. While Keller uses this verse to claim “Christians in cities must become a counterculture for the common good,” Hwang argues that “any application of this verse that neglects its original audience as a poor, refugee, and minority community is problematic.” In regards to Jeremiah 29:11, Hwang states that “the larger arc of exile as discipline and restoration as repentance sets the concept of God’s ‘plans for shalom’ in a whole new light.” It is an indictment to prosperity theology, and a challenge to persevere through suffering as God wills to bless his people. This careful engagement with the text is consistent throughout this commentary.

I must mention that Jeremiah 29:11 has been one of my favorite passages since my youth, and it is fitting for me that Hwang would contribute to this section as he was my former youth pastor! I thank God for him and I am proud to see him published.

Lamentations

The theme of suffering is continued in the book of Lamentations, and Gibson gives five helpful points to remember in suffering when looking at Lamentations 3:33: (1) It is good to learn to wait in our suffering, (2) it is good to wait in silence in our suffering, (3) it is important to look beyond our suffering to God’s steadfast love, (4) it is important to remember that God sees everything, and therefore will one day correct all injustices, and (5) it is important to remember that our suffering has ultimately come to us by the command of God. Gibson calls our attention to Jesus in Hebrews 5:8, “the young geber who ‘learned obedience through what he suffered.’” There are many moments like this throughout the commentary, where it turns into a more devotional reading.

Ezekiel

Preachers will find this commentary especially useful, as dedicated portions of the introductions give suggested ways to break the text for a series of sermons. This practical aspect of the introductions is excellent. The usual sections of overview, title and author, date and occasion, genre and literary features are provided, but a more unique area of theology of the books and their relationship to the rest of the Bible and to Christ are offered. For Ezekiel, Duguid explains how the glory of God anticipated as returning to the temple does not immediately appear, but arrives finally in the veiled form of Jesus.