Evaluation

Overall Score: 7.9/10

A steady companion for preaching judgment and hope with pastoral sensitivity.

Publication Date(s): 2002

Pages: 496

ISBN: 9780310206163

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.2/10

We find steady exposition that keeps covenant context and literary flow in view.

Christ Centredness: 7.6/10

We are helped to see hope, mercy, and new covenant expectation, though we still need to connect those strands to Christ in preaching.

Depth of Insight: 8.1/10

We are helped by guidance on the prophet’s message across long sections and by sensitive handling of lament.

Clarity of Writing: 7.9/10

Clear and pastorally toned, even when historical background is complex.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8/10

Strong for preaching in hard seasons, helping us hold warning, grief, and hope together.

Readability: 7.5/10

Readable and well structured, with occasional heavier background sections.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 496 pages
Type: Application
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 7.9 / 10
Strength: Pastorally sensitive bridging from lament and warning to faithful hope.
Limitation: Some historical detail can feel heavy in quicker preparation.

We find Dearman helps us hear Jeremiah’s long obedience in hard days, and he then guides us into Lamentations with honesty about grief and hope.

The commentary serves us by combining explanation with careful application, which is vital in texts where pain, judgment, and prayer sit close together.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this when we teach Jeremiah or Lamentations in church life. Dearman keeps the covenant context clear, which helps us see why judgment comes and why hope is still warranted.

We also gain help for preaching to discouraged people. The bridging work regularly addresses modern cynicism, weariness, and temptation to despair, and it does so without cheap comfort.

For Reformed ministry, this volume supports faithful proclamation by keeping us close to the text’s theology of sin, repentance, and the Lord’s steadfast mercy.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a solid companion for preaching Jeremiah and Lamentations. It is pastorally sensitive, and it helps us speak both warning and hope with steadiness.

As pastoral next steps, we can read the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index as we build a wiser shelf.

Where to buy

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