Nehemiah: A Pastoral and Exegetical Commentary
A Pastoral and Exegetical Commentary
The book of Nehemiah highlights the priorities the people of God should aspire to and the principles needed to fulfill that mission. Bridging the gap between devotional and technical commentaries, Nehemiah: A Pastoral and Exegetical Commentary is an easy to understand exposition of this often overlooked Old Testament narrative. With a mixture of historical data and practical applications, T. J. Betts emphasizes the relevance of Nehemiah’s message for believers today.
Praise for Nehemiah
This commentary by my friend T. J. Betts will serve well any person who wants to understand clearly and expound faithfully the book of Nehemiah. It has a beautiful balance expositionally, theologically, and homiletically. I will be sure to consult it each and every time I study and proclaim this pivotal Old Testament book.
–Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
T. J. Betts is a scholar-practitioner—a student and teacher of the word who loves to proclaim that word. He is a pastor at heart, and he writes this commentary with the church in mind. Betts helps us understand some of the technical issues of the book of Nehemiah, but he doesn’t land there. Instead, he uses exposition, summaries, outlines, illustrations, applications, and reflection questions to guide us in knowing and teaching the word. This commentary is insightful, practical, challenging, and convicting. It will inform your mind while also moving your heart.
–Chuck Lawless, dean of doctoral studies and vice president of spiritual formation and ministry centers, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
The beauty of T. J. Betts’s Nehemiah: A Pastoral and Exegetical Commentary is that it genuinely lives up to its name. This engaging work is astute technically but also so focused on the emotional content of the text that it connects the heart of the reader to the divine Author’s heart as well as Nehemiah’s. I found myself not just informed but stirred, particularly by the way this work moves from the ancient walls of Jerusalem to my own life in the twenty-first century.
–Hershael York, dean of the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Top Highlights
“This work is neither altogether devotional (although it speaks to devotional concerns) nor altogether technical (although it addresses some technical concerns). Landing somewhere in the middle, this work is intended to help those who preach and teach the Bible along with laypeople who wish to better understand the message of Nehemiah and who would benefit from a work that bridges the gap between the two.” (Pages 1–2)
“The book of Nehemiah speaks of a time when God’s people were in distress and in need of spiritual leadership. It shows how God is faithful to keep his word and how he is faithful to care for his people when from their perspective the present is difficult and the future appears to be grim. The book of Nehemiah shows how God called a leader and used this leader to encourage the people to trust in God and act on that trust. The message and principles of this book are relevant today for the people of God, especially those who lead them.” (Page 1)
“Furthermore, one should note that Nehemiah is not the only one to weep over Jerusalem and its people. Years later, Jesus also weeps over the poor spiritual condition of the people and the hardships that will come to them as a result of it (Luke 19:41–44), and he too takes extremely bold actions to remedy their situation.” (Page 15)
“How believers conduct themselves before unbelievers will go a long way in gaining the ear of unbelievers when speaking about things concerning the kingdom of God.” (Pages 28–29)
“The events leading up to the exile, the exile itself, and the return all point to God’s sovereignty and grace. The Lord God is not only the God of Israel, but he is the God of the nations. Kings and leaders plan their courses of action, but it is the Lord who raises them up and brings them down for his own glory and purposes. God has always been and always will be faithful to his word and to his people.” (Page 9)
- Title: Nehemiah: A Pastoral and Exegetical Commentary
- Author: T. J. Betts
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 296
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683593935
T. J. Betts is Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor of three churches for a total of nearly 15 years.
Reviews
2 ratings
Ronald L. Bass
5/30/2021
Peter Westerfeld
1/20/2021
Great commentary on the book of Nehemiah. Betts does a great job at striking a balance between devotional, pastoral, and technical. He has done thorough exegetical work and provides a summary of it in each section, but also shows how the message applies to the church today and how it points to Christ and the Gospel.
