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The gospel according to the Old testament
Immanuel In Our Place: Seeing Christ in Israel’s Worship
This book provides fascinating insights into the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, the priesthood, the sacrifices, and festivals. More than that, it shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament sacred space, sacred acts, sacred persons, and sacred time. An aid to pastors, teachers, and laymen in teaching and reading the Old Testament, this work will enrich our understanding of Christ and deepen our worship.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
14 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Tremper Longman III
198 books128 followersTremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Before coming to Westmont, he taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for eighteen years. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament, How to Read Proverbs, and commentaries on Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Jeremiah and Lamentations, and Song of Songs.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 16, 2024
A brief explanation of the OT tabernacle, sacrifices, priests, and festivals -- and how they point to Christ. Since Longman is such a stellar scholar, I was expecting more. Every chapter seemed to end abruptly just as he was getting started. He spent a lot of time retelling basic Bible stories. He hints at but rarely develops the biblical theological connections. The book is still good; I just wanted more.
(One small annoyance: It was odd to me that the book used the NLT as its main translation. Longman frequently had to correct the NLT or even opt for another translation entirely.)
(One small annoyance: It was odd to me that the book used the NLT as its main translation. Longman frequently had to correct the NLT or even opt for another translation entirely.)
December 10, 2018
This is an excellent and very approachable survey of Old Testament worship practices, and how they anticipate and are fulfilled in Christ. Longman is, as usual, clear and thorough. Under the headings of sacred space, sacred acts, sacred people, and sacred time, he examines where, how, who, and when God's people before the coming of Christ worshipped him.
Highly recommended as a guide and explanation of Old Testament worship practices as established by God, why they--and we today--must worship God as he commands, what the various elements revealed about God and sinful man, and how we now have the true temple of God, the ultimate sacrifice, the singular high priest, in Jesus Christ.
The book contains a chapter on the Sabbath, in which Longman points out that even among Reformed Christians there are differing views of the Sabbath. In my judgment, he does an excellent job of presenting a number of evidences from the Scripture, and encouraging us not to judge our brother's differing point of view on this subject, while we all look forward to "a final Sabbath, a day of ultimate redemption and rest in Christ."
Highly recommended as a guide and explanation of Old Testament worship practices as established by God, why they--and we today--must worship God as he commands, what the various elements revealed about God and sinful man, and how we now have the true temple of God, the ultimate sacrifice, the singular high priest, in Jesus Christ.
The book contains a chapter on the Sabbath, in which Longman points out that even among Reformed Christians there are differing views of the Sabbath. In my judgment, he does an excellent job of presenting a number of evidences from the Scripture, and encouraging us not to judge our brother's differing point of view on this subject, while we all look forward to "a final Sabbath, a day of ultimate redemption and rest in Christ."
September 19, 2021
2021 reads: #41
Rating: 4 Stars
Simple and clear analysis of sacred space, acts, people and time in their Old Testament contexts, and how these various aspects of Israelite worship find their fulfilment in and through Christ.
This work is very readable and will serve as an effective introduction for anyone interested in the topic. It does not seek to dogmatically resolve every issue related to scholarship and interpretation - this works in its favour.
A fine contribution to the "Gospel According to the Old Testament Series".
Rating: 4 Stars
Simple and clear analysis of sacred space, acts, people and time in their Old Testament contexts, and how these various aspects of Israelite worship find their fulfilment in and through Christ.
This work is very readable and will serve as an effective introduction for anyone interested in the topic. It does not seek to dogmatically resolve every issue related to scholarship and interpretation - this works in its favour.
A fine contribution to the "Gospel According to the Old Testament Series".
November 18, 2017
The Bible tells one main story. And I love seeing that story weaved through the Old & New Testaments. This book does just that. Ever wonder how Jesus is the greater & better Festival of Booths? How He is the greater & better high priest? How He fulfills the Day of Atonement? Then start reading this book (along with you bible), my friend.
August 14, 2018
Um livro bastante objetivo, mas explica muito bem o que se propõe. Uma excelente introdução ao entendimento das leis cerimoniais e como foram cumpridas em Cristo. Perde uma estrela pois em alguns momentos o autor levanta certos questionamentos, mas se exime de respondê-los, deixando o entendimento um pouco raso.
May 26, 2021
Re-read, from at least 10-15 years ago. It was a great reading companion for Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. A reminder about all the various sacrifices, the nitty gritty logistics of the temple, and lots of historical background. Once he's situated you in the text, then he uses Hebrews especially to constantly point to Christ as the fulfillment of the priesthood and the sacrifices.
April 22, 2019
The first section of the book was rough to get through, and thankfully Longman did improve from there, but this was not an enjoyable read for the sake of his writing style. A helpful insight into OT sacrifices with lots more potential to be developed.
July 12, 2017
Helpful overview of the concepts of sacred space (tabernacle/temple), sacrifice, priest, and festival in the OT, and the way they all point forward to the work of Christ.
February 20, 2024
Do you have questions about things in the first five books of the Bible (the Law of Moses) specifically with the sacrifices, priesthood, the holidays and the Tabernacle/Temple? This is a great resource to read and have in your library! This is true for pastors, teachers and general Christian Bible readers. This volume is part of a commentary series titled “The Gospel According to the Old Testament” published by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing. I have read five other titles in this series, all of which were very good. This one too is up there for me.
There are nineteen chapters in the book group together under four parts. Part one looks at sacred space and the six chapters presents us a biblical theology of sacred areas, beginning with Eden, then altars, tabernacle, temple and ends with pointing towards Christ. Part two consists of four chapters and it looks at sacrifices, from the whole burnt offering to the tribute and fellowship offerings, to the sin and guilt offering and finally Christ’s sacrifice. The next four chapters looks at sacred people, beginning with a chapter on the rise of priesthood followed by a chapter on Levites and the priestly life style. There’s a chapter then on priestly service and another on Christ as the ultimate priest. Part four is on sacred time, looking at special days instituted in the Old Testament with the first two chapters on the Sabbath, then on the three pilgrimage festivals, another chapter on both the Festivals of Trumpets and Day of Atonement. The final chapter looks at Purim that was established during the events in the book of Esther.
I love how the book points us towards Christ in a way that is not just a simplistic typology and forced allegory but rather informed by a serious study of the subjects through analyzing the trajectory of progressive revelation; there is a biblical theology presented here if you will, where there’s an analysis of how things unfold over time through God’s progressive revelation, climaxing with the coming of Jesus Christ in redemptive history. Its beautiful how the author does that. I think the chapters that I learn the most in the book is part two on the sacrifices. This was a good study and I think this section itself is worth getting the book. I know I will have this book as a future reference to go to when I preach and teach and have to talk about the different Old Testament sacrifices.
In the past I personally did not agree with the author in some of the areas of his view of the Bible and interpretation, but this problem largely did not appear in this book. I think this might be because this is an older work from Longman. In this specific book he does make it clear he’s not a six-day creationists, for those who want to know, though it was not the main focus of his writing here. There are many things here that is good and one can learn from. I give this a five out of five.
There are nineteen chapters in the book group together under four parts. Part one looks at sacred space and the six chapters presents us a biblical theology of sacred areas, beginning with Eden, then altars, tabernacle, temple and ends with pointing towards Christ. Part two consists of four chapters and it looks at sacrifices, from the whole burnt offering to the tribute and fellowship offerings, to the sin and guilt offering and finally Christ’s sacrifice. The next four chapters looks at sacred people, beginning with a chapter on the rise of priesthood followed by a chapter on Levites and the priestly life style. There’s a chapter then on priestly service and another on Christ as the ultimate priest. Part four is on sacred time, looking at special days instituted in the Old Testament with the first two chapters on the Sabbath, then on the three pilgrimage festivals, another chapter on both the Festivals of Trumpets and Day of Atonement. The final chapter looks at Purim that was established during the events in the book of Esther.
I love how the book points us towards Christ in a way that is not just a simplistic typology and forced allegory but rather informed by a serious study of the subjects through analyzing the trajectory of progressive revelation; there is a biblical theology presented here if you will, where there’s an analysis of how things unfold over time through God’s progressive revelation, climaxing with the coming of Jesus Christ in redemptive history. Its beautiful how the author does that. I think the chapters that I learn the most in the book is part two on the sacrifices. This was a good study and I think this section itself is worth getting the book. I know I will have this book as a future reference to go to when I preach and teach and have to talk about the different Old Testament sacrifices.
In the past I personally did not agree with the author in some of the areas of his view of the Bible and interpretation, but this problem largely did not appear in this book. I think this might be because this is an older work from Longman. In this specific book he does make it clear he’s not a six-day creationists, for those who want to know, though it was not the main focus of his writing here. There are many things here that is good and one can learn from. I give this a five out of five.
July 13, 2017
I really did not enjoy this book. The writing was simplistic and the author seemed to have no respect of those for which he wrote. I just really hate it when an author spends a paragraph telling us what he is going to write about. I say give the chapter a decent title and just start writing. Have a little faith that your readers are smart enough to figure out what you are writing about. You don't need to tell us what you are writing about -- just write.
I think sometimes too as Christians we get caught up in the academia of our faith and forget to put it into practice. This book was full of facts -- but no real application. Why does it matter to me that Christ was pictured throughout the Old Testament? How should that affect the way I live today?
If you don't know how all the ceremonies and sacrifices of the Old Testament pictured Christ then this may actually be a good book for you.
I think sometimes too as Christians we get caught up in the academia of our faith and forget to put it into practice. This book was full of facts -- but no real application. Why does it matter to me that Christ was pictured throughout the Old Testament? How should that affect the way I live today?
If you don't know how all the ceremonies and sacrifices of the Old Testament pictured Christ then this may actually be a good book for you.
August 30, 2021
I greatly enjoyed my reading of Longman’s book, Immanuel in Our Place. It really enhanced my knowledge of the Old Testament laws, covenant, and rituals. It is easy for me as a person who has grown up in a solid church and been taught the Bible all my life to think I know all these things, but I loved how this book summarized and simplified these things. Reading the connections to the New Testament was also so fascinating to me. My favorite part of the book was at the end of each chapter or section when Longman explained how each particular space, act, person, or time ultimately pointed to and was fulfilled in Jesus. I came away from this book with a greater understanding of what my Savior has done for me and all of His people, and a greater appreciation and love for Him because of it.
November 9, 2017
This is a very good study of the Old Testament religion of tabernacle/temple, sacrifices, priesthood, and holy days.
Longman explains each part simply, thoroughly, and engagingly, and with an eye to fulfillment in Christ and the church.
It's not really a study of any one part of Scripture. It hops around. So, there is no narratival element to this. That's fine. But it does mean that this reads a bit more like a reference work than a single integrated study. Again, that's fine--just more of an fyi.
This would be an excellent book to consult in conjuntcion with reading particularly Genesis-Deuteronomy. Definitely good lay-level reading.
Longman explains each part simply, thoroughly, and engagingly, and with an eye to fulfillment in Christ and the church.
It's not really a study of any one part of Scripture. It hops around. So, there is no narratival element to this. That's fine. But it does mean that this reads a bit more like a reference work than a single integrated study. Again, that's fine--just more of an fyi.
This would be an excellent book to consult in conjuntcion with reading particularly Genesis-Deuteronomy. Definitely good lay-level reading.
April 24, 2020
Really good introductory book to seeing how Jesus fulfill the OT in terms of its feasts, sacrifices, times, places and worship. Great to give to lay people and nice easy accessible chapters. Very well done. Once or twice Longman takes a different tack on creationism than I would (old earth) but not pronounced. Overall good book. I didn’t learn anything hugely new myself and so if you have some background to basic OT theology I would skip, but worth a look if you’re just beginning
June 11, 2020
Great introductory work to understand both the Old Testament sacrificial and worship system, and Christ’s representation of those events and figures, and the redemptive history portrayed in them. Worth a read!
September 2, 2021
College reading: Longman managed to take a topic that is normally complicated and daunting, and make it very clear and easy to understand!
October 23, 2024
Deeply valuable in connecting both Testaments and how the culminate in Christ.
September 4, 2025
very interesting dissection of Christ in the old testament.
August 28, 2015
Occasionally I'll read something by an author I've never read before and their writing is so good I'll want to read everything else they've ever written. Tremper Longman III fits this category. He writes in an extremely clear logical style that's backed up by a thorough knowledge of what he's writing about.
This book gives a great overview of Israel's worship in the Old Testament and then shows how Christ fulfils and changes those things.
Tremper talks about four aspects - sacred space, sacred acts, sacred people and sacred time.
Sacred space talks about the garden of eden, altars, the tabernacle of the Exodus, Solomon's temple and where Christian's now find sacred space in Christ as part of his church.
Sacred acts goes through the various sacrifices and offerings, a part of the Bible that often bores people to tears. Tremper makes it interesting by explaining the context and what was involved and ties it together by showing Christ as the final once-and-for-all sacrifice.
Sacred people was fascinating - detailing the rise of the priesthood and what went before that. Then goes on to talk about the Levites and their lot. And finally about Jesus the ultimate priest.
Sacred time mostly discusses the Sabbath and how Christ reconfigures it (Tremper isn't dogmatic about this and gives various opinions about the effect of Christ on the Sabbath - whether we should still celebrate it on Saturday etc). He also discusses the various Jewish festivals such as Passover and Pentecost and their New Testament connections.
This is a highly recommended book for anyone wanting to read the Old Testament with fresh eyes.
This book gives a great overview of Israel's worship in the Old Testament and then shows how Christ fulfils and changes those things.
Tremper talks about four aspects - sacred space, sacred acts, sacred people and sacred time.
Sacred space talks about the garden of eden, altars, the tabernacle of the Exodus, Solomon's temple and where Christian's now find sacred space in Christ as part of his church.
Sacred acts goes through the various sacrifices and offerings, a part of the Bible that often bores people to tears. Tremper makes it interesting by explaining the context and what was involved and ties it together by showing Christ as the final once-and-for-all sacrifice.
Sacred people was fascinating - detailing the rise of the priesthood and what went before that. Then goes on to talk about the Levites and their lot. And finally about Jesus the ultimate priest.
Sacred time mostly discusses the Sabbath and how Christ reconfigures it (Tremper isn't dogmatic about this and gives various opinions about the effect of Christ on the Sabbath - whether we should still celebrate it on Saturday etc). He also discusses the various Jewish festivals such as Passover and Pentecost and their New Testament connections.
This is a highly recommended book for anyone wanting to read the Old Testament with fresh eyes.
November 29, 2011
Going thru the practice of worship in the Old Testament; from worshiping at the alter to the tabernacle to Christ being our worship. How this all leads to Christ The whole purpose of worship is to point to a holy God in the midst of a sinful people. In worship, God is revealed, however, it was done with a strict conditions so that the people would know what true worship was and was not. This book goes into great detail about the strict conditions and how they point to Christ as our tabernacle. One of the great insights of this book was how the Exodus points to Christ, and the similiarties of the Temptation of Christ and the wandering of Israel for 40 years. There is so much in these series of books!
December 24, 2013
a great read for anyone who wants to study the Old Testament way of worship, and its connections to Christ, and at the same time, get to personally know Christ more through the occasionally misunderstood and unappreciated Testament.
however, i think, (in layman's perspective) it's still a bit scholarly. I may not have a clue on some of the discussions if not only for my 5-year training at a Bible college.
nevertheless, i'm giving it five stars because I like to see how authors give so much time for research. ^_^
however, i think, (in layman's perspective) it's still a bit scholarly. I may not have a clue on some of the discussions if not only for my 5-year training at a Bible college.
nevertheless, i'm giving it five stars because I like to see how authors give so much time for research. ^_^
March 20, 2014
This is an excellent book. Dr. Longman does a remarkable job of explaining the priestly theology of the Old Testament. He breaks it down into sacred space, sacred act, sacred people, and sacred time. As he does, he not only brings the doctrine of priesthood to life, he makes a solid connection to the New Testament and the ministry of Christ. The chapter ending questions "for further reflection" and his winsome writing style make this a book for anyone interested in understanding the redemptive work of God throughout the ages.
January 31, 2016
This is a very accessible book covering many themes in Biblical theology. It is not as detailed as TD Alexander's "From Paradise to the Promised Land" and is therefore more accessible to the general reader. It is well set out, and the questions at the end of each chapter are useful discussion starters for a group. What I particularly like is that where there are issues on which the Bible does not give us all the information we might want, Longman does not presume to impose his own interpretation, but rather is content with ambiguity or uncertainty.
July 25, 2013
This is one the best introductory books on how Israel's worship points us to Christ. There are many that quickly jump to conclusions that cannot be supported in the text about how these things point us to Jesus, but Tremper shows us a biblically faithful approach to understanding how these things anticipated Jesus. Highly recommend for any Christian that wants to better understand the first 5 books of the Bible and their importance for Christians today.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews