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The Book Of Job

AdvancedBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingUseful supplement
8.0Author: John E. Hartley Bible Book: Job Series: New International Commentary On The Old Testament Publisher: Eerdmans Type: Exegetical (Technical) Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical

Short Verdict: A solid, reliable scholarly-evangelical commentary on The Book of Job that faithfully engages the Hebrew text and the theological challenge of suffering, though it stops short of the most overtly Reformed thematic integration.

Summary

In terms of approach, Hartley begins with an extensive introduction into the book’s authorship, date, structure, textual and linguistic issues, and Ancient Near Eastern background. The main body presents a verse-by-verse (or section-by-section) commentary, with a translation of the Hebrew text and careful attention to textual criticism, syntax, literary structure, and theological significance. While the volume leans toward an academic consumption—especially for pastors or teachers desiring depth—it retains sufficient exposition and application to be of use beyond specialist-only audiences.

It is especially suited to pastors, seminary students, and serious Bible-teachers who are willing to engage technical material in order to ground faithful preaching and teaching of Job’s complex themes of suffering, divine justice, and restoration.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

Firstly, the work’s strength lies in its careful and disciplined attention to the text of Job. Hartley does not treat Job superficially; instead he wrestles with the Hebrew, explores textual variants, engages the ancient Near Eastern parallels, and tracks the book’s structure so that we are not merely reading isolated verses but seeing how the poetry, narrative and wisdom elements function together. For a Reformed-minded pastor, this is indispensable: the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, human suffering, and ultimate restoration requires careful attention to how Job says it rather than just what we wish it said.

Secondly, the theological and pastoral insights are commendable. Hartley repeatedly emphasizes how Job’s experience confronts the presumption of easy retributive justice and draws believers into the deeper reality of a sovereign, inscrutable yet loving God who redeems his people amid suffering. While his Reformed theology may not always be fully spelled out in the language of covenant or TULIP, the themes he handles resonate deeply with the Five Solas: the Lord’s initiative, Christ-centred redemption implicitly present, and the call to corrupted human creatureliness. In the context of a sermon series on Job, this commentary gives robust material to unpack Job’s confession, divine speeches, and restoration.

Thirdly, in practical terms this volume stands out for usability. It is more manageable than multi-volume commentaries, making it realistic for pastors on a schedule. The English translation of the Hebrew that accompanies the commentary helps those less fluent in Hebrew. The commentary’s layout—introductions, section summaries, theological cross-references and application pointers—makes it a good preparation tool for preaching. That said, readers with minimal Hebrew or without appetite for technical detail may find some sections dense; and Hartley occasionally leaves major theological threads (for example the New Testament-Christological implications of Job) more implicit than explicit.

Closing Recommendation

We warmly recommend this volume to pastors, church-teachers and serious students who intend to shepherd a series through the Book of Job or want a dependable resource for deeper study. If you are preparing sermons or lectures and want to ground yourself in the Hebrew text while maintaining evangelical fidelity and theological depth, Hartley is a wise choice.

However, if you are looking for light devotional reading or a commentary with full-blown Reformed covenant-theological mapping, you may prefer a more pithy or explicitly covenantal work alongside this. Even so, this remains one of the better single-volume commentaries on Job from an evangelical vantage and is well worth the shelf-space.


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Leviticus

AdvancedAdvanced students / scholars, Busy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingTop choice
8.4Author: Jay Sklar Bible Book: Leviticus Series: Exegetical Commentary On The Old Testament (Zondervan) Publisher: Zondervan Type: Exegetical (Technical) Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical, Reformed

Short Verdict: This is one of the most helpful modern commentaries on Leviticus for pastors, combining deep Hebrew-sensitive exegesis with immediate application in a clear, Christ-centred way.

Summary

The commentary in question is Leviticus by Jay Sklar, part of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament (ZECOT) series, published by Zondervan in 2023. This volume spans approximately 864 pages.
In terms of approach, Sklar provides for each pericope a Hebrew-English translation, a detailed exegetical outline of the passage, commentary that engages the Hebrew text (though not requiring full proficiency), and a “Canonical and Theological Significance” section that bridges the ancient text with contemporary pastoral concerns. The structure places discourse analysis, textual structure and literary context at the forefront—reflecting the series’s emphasis on how an author says something as well as what is said.

It is aimed primarily at pastors, Bible-teachers, ministry leaders and serious students of Scripture who are willing to engage with the Hebrew text and desire a trustworthy resource for preaching and teaching. While technical in places, it strives for accessibility. :

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

First, its strengths lie in its combination of rigorous exegesis and a pastor-friendly framework. Sklar does not shy away from Hebrew, syntax and discourse-analysis, yet the commentary remains readable and oriented toward preaching and teaching. Reviewers note that whereas many commentaries on Leviticus become heavy in technical minutiae, this commentary retains the “why it matters” dimension for church ministry. For you as a pastor and Bible-teacher, this means a deeper grasp of the text’s structure—especially around key Levitical concepts like holiness, atonement, presence and purity—and the capacity to craft sermons that honour the text without being dry or inaccessible.

Secondly, the volume’s theological content is commendable from a Reformed vantage. Sklar consistently points to the presence of a holy God dwelling among a redeemed people, the necessity of substitutionary atonement (implicit in Leviticus’s sacrifices) and the forward-looking purpose of the law in covenant-community formation. While he does not always explicitly carry out a full covenantally-Reformed theology, the framework supports it well. This makes the commentary valuable for sermon preparation: the “Canonical and Theological Significance” sections often give you ready-to-go homiletic headings and theological insights rooted in the original context.

Thirdly, in practical usefulness this volume excels. Given how many find the Book of Leviticus difficult to preach, this commentary gives you clarity on structure and purpose—why the rituals matter, what they teach this covenant-people about God and neighbour—and then invites modern application. Reviewers emphasise that the layout (translations + outline + commentary + application) supports sermon-craft. For the busy pastor you get both depth and usable scaffolding.

Of course no commentary is perfect: some readers with little Hebrew may find parts dense, and there are times when the theological motifs (e.g., sin-wrath-atonement) could be more coherently developed. A reviewer noted that the motif of law functioning to ‘protect the people from divine wrath’ was touched on but not fully integrated. So while this is an excellent resource, it still requires you to engage with the text and draw out the connections pastorally.

Closing Recommendation

In our judgment, this commentary is strongly recommended for pastors, teachers and serious students who plan to preach or teach through the Book of Leviticus. If your aim is to do more than survey the book and instead to guide your congregation through it faithfully—honouring the Hebrew text, engaging its theological weight and crafting relevant application—then this belongs on your shelf.

For those who only need a very brief introduction, or have limited Hebrew interest, a more summary commentary might suffice (and this work may feel detailed). But if you value a high-quality Reformed-friendly resource that marries sound exegesis with homiletic insight, then we regard this as one of the better recent options for Leviticus.


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Matthew

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
8.3Author: R.C. Sproul Bible Book: Matthew Series: St. Andrew's Expositional Commentary Series Publisher: Ligoneir Ministries Type: Expositional, Expository (Mid-Level), Homiletical Theological Perspective: Reformed

Summary

This commentary on Matthew by R. C. Sproul is a verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, drawn from 128 sermons preached at Saint Andrew’s Chapel and published in the St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary series. It aims to combine solid exegesis, rich Reformed theology, and practical application for the church.

Sproul’s methodology is expositional rather than highly technical: he opens each passage, explains its meaning in context, highlights theological themes (such as Christ’s identity, the Kingdom of God, and the church’s life), and then brings the implications into how believers live. Because it is based on preaching, the tone is pastoral and accessible rather than primarily academic.

This commentary is best suited for pastors, teachers, and mature lay-leaders who value a Reformed theological framework, and who want a book that can serve both as sermon preparation and for faithful Bible study. It is less heavy on Greek/Hebrew or on critical apparatus, so academic specialists may find it less detailed than other commentaries.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

One of the main strengths of this work is its clarity combined with theological depth. Sproul is a gifted communicator who consistently draws out the doctrinal riches of Matthew, bringing the message of the Gospel to bear on everyday Christian experience. The commentary shows the sovereignty of God, the person and work of Christ, and the implications of discipleship with conviction and clarity.

Another advantage is its practical orientation: since the book is adapted from sermons, it gives many entry-points into how to teach or preach Matthew’s Gospel. The passages are introduced, explained, and then applied — helpful for sermon series, adult Bible studies, or personal preparation. For those working in the pulpit or small-group ministry, this resource stands as a bridge between purely devotional reading and rigorous academic treatises.

Additionally, the series’ Reformed theological anchor is a plus for pastors and teachers who want their commentaries aligned with the doctrines of grace. Sproul’s legacy as a Reformed theologian ensures that readers will encounter a gospel-centred, well-grounded perspective. While this does not preclude broader evangelical use, the vantage point is unmistakably Reformed.

Closing Recommendation

We therefore recommend this commentary strong for pastors, Bible-teachers and senior lay-leaders looking for a robust, readable, and theologically sound guide to the Gospel of Matthew. It complements more technical commentaries and is particularly effective when you want something readable that still goes beyond surface application.

If your primary need is advanced linguistic or critical-historical engagement, you might consider supplementing it with a more academic work. But for teaching, preaching and faithful exposition in a Reformed evangelical context, this is a very commendable choice. Score: 8.0/10.


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Romans

Mid-levelBusy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-trainingUseful supplement
8.4Author: Robert Haldane Bible Book: Romans Series: Geneva Commentaries Publisher: Banner of Truth Type: Exegetical (Technical), Expositional Theological Perspective: Reformed

Summary

In his classic commentary on Romans, Robert Haldane provides an exposition of Paul’s letter that is rooted in historic Reformed convictions: the sovereignty of God, justification by faith, the reality of human sinfulness, and the full sufficiency of Christ. The work was first delivered in Geneva in the early 19th century and was later published in book form. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Haldane’s approach is both exegetical and devotional: he moves verse-by-verse through the epistle, offers occasional engagement with other commentaries, and emphasises the practical implications of the doctrine for believers. His tone is earnest, warm, and pastoral rather than technically heavy. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

This commentary serves teachers, pastors and serious students of Scripture who desire a theologically robust, Christ-centred, historically grounded reading of Romans. It may be less useful for those seeking full Greek‐text apparatus or heavily critical engagement with modern scholarship, but it more than makes up for that in devotional power and doctrinal clarity.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

One of the strengths of Haldane’s commentary is its unwavering commitment to the primacy of Scripture and the doctrine of justification by faith. As noted by the text itself: “The great truths … are brought together in a condensed and comprehensive form.” :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} This makes it a valuable resource when preaching or teaching Romans, especially where one wants to ground exposition in the historic Reformed tradition.

Another useful feature is the way Haldane weaves theological insight with pastoral application. His exposition does not stop at doctrine but leads into the life of faith: how justification shapes Christian identity, how the believer lives under grace, and how the Gospel drives worship, not merely morality. For a pastor preparing sermons or study-group leads, this commentary offers rich material for reflection and sermon outlines.

Further, because the work is older it avoids many of the technical detours of modern scholarship, making it more accessible than some of the heavier academic commentaries. That said, it still holds up theologically and continues to be commended by evangelical voices. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} Its enduring influence is a testimony to its value.

Closing Recommendation

We commend Haldane’s Romans to pastors, preachers, and mature lay‐teachers who want a doctrinally sound, theologically rich, and pastorally warm guide to Paul’s epistle. It is particularly well suited for those working from a Reformed perspective, and for anyone looking for a classic voice amid the wealth of modern commentary options.

While this is not the most up‐to‐date critical commentary, its strengths in exposition, doctrine and application are substantial. On balance, we recommend purchasing this work and placing it alongside more technical commentaries, as a reliable and edifying companion. Score: 8.5/10.


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