Robert S. Fyall

This book fascinated me. Fyall’s study uncovers references to Canaanite mythology that have long been hidden in favour of more naturalistic interpretations of the text. For example, the NIV footnotes suggest that Behemoth (40:15) is an elephant or hippopotamus, and Leviathan (3:8, 41:1) is a crocodile. Fyall digs deeply and comes up with interpretations of these creatures that satisfy the narrative, and hold the whole book together. (If you’re curious, Behemoth is the Canaanite god of death, and Leviathan is a guise of the Satan.)

In the end, Fyall’s technical study yields some important conclusions. I love how he sums it up on the last page:

"The book is not so much about suffering per se as about creation, providence and knowing God, and how, in the crucible of suffering, these are to be understood."

The discussions are quite technical, but the subject matter is well worth the effort. I’ll never read the book of Job the same way again.… (mere)

Ezra is rarely if ever preached on. Haggai gets even shorter shrift: if anything, Haggai 1 is pressed into service to encourage a reluctant congregation to give to an ailing fabric fund. But the message of these books, and their emphasis on building for God and the need of obedience to his Word and openness to his Spirit, is one which needs to be heard clearly today. This commentary by Robert Fyall highlights the contemporary parallels of the challenges Israel faced to those of today's church and demonstrates the relevance of the books of Ezra and Haggai for God's people in all times. With passage-by-passage exposition of the biblical text, this resource will be helpful for pastors, teachers and anyone who wants to dive deeper into these seldom discussed Old Testament books.… (mere)