Jeremiah and Lamentations, by Duane Garrett and Calvin F. Pearson. Kerux Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2022. 499 pp. $38.99.
Leatherman multitools are immensely helpful because they contain in one apparatus several different tools. With some containing knives, a wire cutter, a screwdriver, a file, pliers, a saw, a can opener, and scissors, the Leatherman is so helpful precisely because it is all-in-one. The new commentary series from Kerux Ministry entitled A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching is very much the Leatherman of commentaries. The reason for this is because the commentary series is, in many ways, like a multitool—a self-contained exegetical, theological, and homiletical apparatus that aids its users in the task of exegesis as well asexposition. It is, quite literally, an all-in-one “device” that includes within it a diverse set of tools that helps the exegete handle the Word of God with precision and then proclaim it with power. The title of the series (i.e., kerux) comes obviously from the Greek term meaning “a messenger or herald who announced the proclamation of a ruler or magistrate” (7). Thus, the aim of this commentary series is clear, namely, to not only value what God has spoken, but to speak what God has spoken with accuracy and clarity.
What makes this commentary series such a valuable multitool, however, is how it uniquely combines “the insights of experienced Bible exegetes (trained in interpretation) and homileticians (trained in preaching)” (7). The collaboration between exegete and preacher, therefore, provides not only the penetrating insights into the text needed for interpretation, but also the powerful insights needed for proclamation – thus making it an all-in-one multitool.
For the volume on Jeremiah and Lamentations, the exegete is Duane Garrett (John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and the homiletician is Calvin F. Pearson (a former pastor and professor of homiletics at Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary). Each of their respective contributions make this commentary unique—and even unparalleled—in its usefulness to both exegete and preacher. Below are some of the features that display the unique contents of this commentary.
First, being a commentary on Jeremiah and Lamentations, it is obviously separated into two distinct parts, each of which is dedicated to providing concise but detailed exposition of each biblical book. Second, after each book receives their respective introduction, the exegesis and exposition of the biblical text is then divided into what the authors call “preaching passages” (that is, the discrete pericopes within each book, e.g., Jeremiah 1:1–3; 1:4–19; 2:1–3:10; etc.). An entire chapter, therefore, is devoted to each of these passages, and for each preaching passage the authors provide four progressive steps that guide the exegete through the passage. The first step is called “Exposition” which provides verse-by-verse explanation of the text in each passage. The next step is what the authors call “Theological Focus.” Here the writers draw attention to the larger theological themes in the passage (e.g., judgment, the new covenant, eschatology). The third step is called “Preaching and Teaching Strategies,” which provide a clear synthesis and summary of the passage, a thesis statement for the sermon (which they call “a preaching idea”), along with insights as to how the text relates to contemporary culture. Finally, each preaching passage is concluded with a section entitled “Creativity in Presentation,” which provides illustration ideas, expositional helps, as well as ways to apply the text to a modern audience. Each chapter then concludes with several discussion questions that seek to interrogate the heart and bring the text to bear at a practical level. These questions are, of course, useful in personal application to the exegete but can also be used by the expositor in a sermon or even in other settings in which the Word of God is being taught (e.g., small groups, classes).
Second, throughout the commentary is another feature called “Translation Notes.” These are often very technical and yet extremely helpful as they explore complex questions of Hebrew grammar and syntax. While these notes are accessible to all, they are designed particularly for the specialist in the areas of Hebrew grammar, syntax, as well as textual criticism. Utilizing ancient translations (e.g., lxx, Vulgate) as well as the most advanced works on Hebrew syntax, these notes deal with the text at the granular level, thus providing the interpreter with the best resources of scholarship for interpretive decisions.
A third and final feature of this work to highlight are what the authors call “sidebars.” These are designated sections (highlighted in gray) in the midst of preaching passages which contain pertinent information on crucial issues that arise in the text but require too much explanation to be included in the exposition of the text itself. These sidebars, thus, are essentially excurses discussing matters of canonical, theological and historical importance (e.g., the Sabbath, 206–7; the slaughter of the innocents, 272–73; the fulfillment of the new covenant, 285–289; messianic hope, 312; and echoes of Lamentations 1 in Revelation, 445). These sidebars—although optional for the interpreter—are, nevertheless, another useful tool supplying yet another tool for the tasks of exegesis and preaching.
In the end, the Kerux Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching is an invaluable resource for both exegesis and exposition. It seems clear that this commentary series seeks to be the ideal blend of a technical commentary on the one hand and a practical, pastorally-minded, homiletical commentary on the other. Although this is far from an easy task to achieve, from the perspective of the present reviewer this mission is accomplished. Hebraists, on the one hand, will feel right at home with many sections dealing with explicit issues of grammar and syntax, but a non-specialist will benefit greatly by the impressive clarity of the exposition. As one who is both involved in academics as well as a full-time pastor and expositor, the present reviewer can vouch for this commentary as an impressive piece of scholarship that deceives the eye with its seeming simplicity. To put it another way, as a self-contained exegetical, theological, and homiletical commentary, this multitool is useful for both ministry and the academy.
