Evaluation
Overall Score: 7.8/10
A readable, theologically sound and pastor-friendly guide to Ezra and Haggai—ideal for teaching and preaching.
Summary
At a Glance
- Length
- 208 pages
- Type
- Application, Expository (Mid-Level)
- Theo. Perspective
- Broadly Evangelical
- Overall score
- 7.8 / 10
- Strength
- Provides a solid, accessible bridge into post-exilic texts with practical application for the church.
- Limitation
- Not intended as a rigorous, technical exegesis for advanced research.
In The Message of Ezra & Haggai, Robert Fyall offers a pastor-scholar’s walk through the post-exilic books of Ezra and Haggai, drawing their twin message of return and rebuilding into a timely, hope-filled word for the church today. We are guided through the return from exile, the re-establishment of worship, the halting rebuilding of the temple, and the prophetic voice calling God’s people to renewed obedience and worship in the face of opposition and inertia.
Fyall writes with clarity and pastoral concern rather than heavy-duty critical engagement. He keeps the text before us, emphasising how God’s covenant faithfulness, his Word and his Spirit intersect in the lives of a restored people. As part of the Bible Speaks Today series, the volume aims to serve preacher and teacher alike, offering both theological reflection and practical application.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
For pastors, teachers and Bible-group leaders who work with the Old Testament but avoid the less-familiar post-exilic texts, this is a highly accessible entry. Ezra and Haggai often receive less attention in homiletics, yet they speak powerfully to themes of renewal, recommitment and God building his church despite setbacks. Fyall brings these themes to the fore and helps us see how they belong to our congregational life.
Fyall’s pastoral grounding is a major plus. He writes from ministry experience, so we consistently find application to life: the importance of remembering our roots, honouring God’s Word, rebuilding our hearts and congregations, and trusting God’s purposes when things stall. For sermons, teaching and small-group work this makes the book a go-to resource.
Do note, however, that those seeking rigorous original-language exegesis or a high-critical dialogue will find it modest in scope. It serves better as a mid-level commentary than a scholarly heavyweight. That said, from our Reformed vantage point theologically the author holds to classic evangelical convictions and the book sits safely within the evangelical tradition.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend The Message of Ezra & Haggai as a **strong recommendation** for pastors, pastors-in-training and lay-teachers looking for a faithful, readable and application-oriented commentary on a relatively neglected pair of Old Testament books. It will serve particularly well in sermon preparation, Bible-study leadership and personal reflection.
Classification
- Level: Mid-level
- Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
- Priority: Strong recommendation