ESV Expository Commentary: Isaiah—Ezekiel (volume 6)

ESV Expository Commentary: Isaiah–Ezekiel, Volume 6 (Crossway, 2022).

This volume is the sixth OT entry in the ESV Expository Commentary series. It features an exposition of Isaiah by Bob Fyall, Jeremiah by Jerry Hwang, Lamentations by Jonathan Gibson, and Ezekiel by Ian Duguid. As a whole, this volume provides a measured and helpful treatment of these Major Prophets alongside the poetic book of Lamentations.

A notable feature of this volume in particular is its conservative conclusions about the authorship, structure, and complementary message of these prophetic books. This starting point is a mainstay of this series but is acutely significant in this volume, as critical scholarship routinely centers on disparate layers of sources and the diversity of the prophetic oracles. Each commenter here affirms the reasonableness of the figures associated with these books and argues for the coherence of the prophetic works as a whole (see Fyall's affirmation of the unity of Isaiah, pp. 26–28; Hwang's treatment of the complex textual situation of Jeremiah and the role of scribes like Baruch in its shaping, pp. 423–35; Gibson's explanation of the anonymous Lamentations and its association with Jeremiah, pp. 787–89; and Duguid's brief articulation of Ezekiel's authorship, pp. 909–11).

These prophetic books are treasures of the OT but they are not easy to read, interpret, and preach. As Hwang comments, "The book of Jeremiah is simultaneously perhaps the most compelling and the most confusing book of the OT" (p. 421). A key contribution of this volume (and this series), then, is its energetic articulation of the theological richness of these biblical books. 

Taking Isaiah as a focal point, Fyall notes that "the prophet's message is uncompromising, bringing deafness and blindness as the people of his own day harden their hearts against the word of the Lord." This is a somber task with a harsh message, but Isaiah includes a fully-orbed portrayal of God's actions. As Fyall continues, "yet judgment is not to be the final word; light will overcome darkness, and there will be a message of hope for the nations. This hope will be realized only by those who have faith in the Lord" (p. 22). This kind of synthesis and summary of the prophet's message is helpful for readers and occurs routinely throughout the exposition. 

It is clear that these authors are careful scholars but also lovers of the Scriptures. Fyall's comments on the uniqueness of Isaiah illustrate this tone well: "The book of Isaiah is a literary masterpiece and one of the peaks of the canon alongside such works as Job, Psalms, Romans, and Hebrews. The book displays a blend of poetic oracles, preaching, and history that forms one of the fullest and richest presentations of the message of judgment and salvation to be found anywhere in the Bible" (p. 23).  

Because of its extended scope, pastoral tone, & clear exposition, this volume is another worthwhile entry in this commentary series. 

Some Notes:

• See details on the other volumes in the ESV Expository Commentary series; Cf. my goodreads  & reviews of other volumes in this series; Thanks to Crossway for this review copy.