Engaging the Old Testament: How to Read Biblical Narrative, Poetry, and Prophecy Well

When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he was told to destroy the Canaanites as well as their culture. Yet, how can a good God command genocide, and how are we to make sense of one of the Bible’s most difficult ethical problems? In The Destruction of the Canaanites, Charlie Trimm evaluates this topic from every conceivable angle: Who were the Canaanites, and what do we know about them? How should one understand the nature of warfare in the ancient world? When is an event considered genocide? He then provides four possible approaches to reconciling biblical violence.

The book of Proverbs is a book written for people like us—parents, children, friends, and coworkers. It’s a collection of biblical sayings and wisdom that are intended to help us with practical matters in our lives. Inside we encounter the wise and the foolish, and instructions for the journey to find the wisdom that comes from God alone. Proverbs: Pathways to Wisdom explores the context, language, and interpretation of the book of Proverbs. Each chapter covers well known verses and examines prevalent themes throughout the book. From the fear of the Lord to the Woman of Valor in Proverbs 31, Hernández explores an array of verses and reveals literary and historical details that supply profound insight into familiar passages. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options. Additional components for a four-week study include a DVD featuring Dominick S. Hernández and a comprehensive Leader Guide.

Does Job convincingly argue against a fixed system of just retribution by proclaiming the prosperity of the wicked-an assertion that distinctly runs contrary to traditional biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom? This study addresses this question, giving careful consideration to the rhetoric, imagery, and literary devices used to treat the issue of the fate of the wicked in Job’s first two rounds of dialogue, where the topic is predominantly disputed. The analysis will glean from related biblical and non-biblical texts to illustrate that Job specifically counters five recurring arguments of his friends’ speeches that are based upon traditional wisdom.