ESV Expository Commentary: Isaiah–Ezekiel

ESV Expository Commentary

by Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), James M. Hamilton Jr. (Editor), Jay Sklar (Editor)

A Passage-by-Passage Commentary of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel Designed to strengthen the global church with a widely accessible, theologically sound, and pastorally wise resource for understanding and applying the overarching storyline of the Bible, the ESV Expository Commentary features the full text of the ESV Bible passage by passage, with crisp and theologically rich exposition and application. Editors Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar have gathered a team of experienced pastor-theologians to provide a new generation of pastors and other teachers of the Bible around the world with a globally minded commentary rich in biblical theology and broadly Reformed doctrine, making the message of redemption found in all of Scripture clear and available to all. With contributions from a team of pastors and scholars, this commentary’s contributors Bob Fyall (Isaiah)
Jerry Hwang (Jeremiah)
Jonathan Gibson (Lamentations) 
Iain M. Duguid (Ezekiel) 

1248 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

About the author

married to Barbara R. Duguid

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 6 in Crossway’s Expository Commentary Series is an excellent and accessible presentation of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel. Edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, this book features contributions by Bob Fyall (Isaiah), Jerry Hwang (Jeremiah), Jonathan Gibson (Lamentations), and Iain M. Duguid (Ezekiel).

Isaiah

Fyall’s section on Isaiah was of immediate use to me. Isaiah 53:2-3 was a cross-reference I was planning to use in a sermon, and I was able to see that I could relate it to Jesus coming from the despised town of Nazareth. Furthermore, “the servant is not only ignored but deliberately disowned.” The active rejection of Jesus makes his silence and suffering even more poignant. The section ends with a call to worship, for “in the language of praise we find a way of responding to these great truths and expressing something of their wonder.” This worshipful response is characteristic throughout this commentary.

Jeremiah

I was most interested to see Hwang’s interpretation of Jeremiah 29, verses 7 and 11. Concerning Jeremiah 29:7, Hwang praises the ministry of Timothy Keller while calling the reader to reconsider his influential use of this verse. The issue is centered on the word shalom. While Keller uses this verse to claim “Christians in cities must become a counterculture for the common good,” Hwang argues that “any application of this verse that neglects its original audience as a poor, refugee, and minority community is problematic.” In regards to Jeremiah 29:11, Hwang states that “the larger arc of exile as discipline and restoration as repentance sets the concept of God’s ‘plans for shalom’ in a whole new light.” It is an indictment to prosperity theology, and a challenge to persevere through suffering as God wills to bless his people. This careful engagement with the text is consistent throughout this commentary.

I must mention that Jeremiah 29:11 has been one of my favorite passages since my youth, and it is fitting for me that Hwang would contribute to this section as he was my former youth pastor! I thank God for him and I am proud to see him published.

Lamentations

The theme of suffering is continued in the book of Lamentations, and Gibson gives five helpful points to remember in suffering when looking at Lamentations 3:33: (1) It is good to learn to wait in our suffering, (2) it is good to wait in silence in our suffering, (3) it is important to look beyond our suffering to God’s steadfast love, (4) it is important to remember that God sees everything, and therefore will one day correct all injustices, and (5) it is important to remember that our suffering has ultimately come to us by the command of God. Gibson calls our attention to Jesus in Hebrews 5:8, “the young geber who ‘learned obedience through what he suffered.’” There are many moments like this throughout the commentary, where it turns into a more devotional reading.

Ezekiel

Preachers will find this commentary especially useful, as dedicated portions of the introductions give suggested ways to break the text for a series of sermons. This practical aspect of the introductions is excellent. The usual sections of overview, title and author, date and occasion, genre and literary features are provided, but a more unique area of theology of the books and their relationship to the rest of the Bible and to Christ are offered. For Ezekiel, Duguid explains how the glory of God anticipated as returning to the temple does not immediately appear, but arrives finally in the veiled form of Jesus.

Rich, In-depth, and Insightful

The 1,250-page book is bound in a handsome, premium hardcover. The high-quality production will endure frequent consultation as you engage with Scripture. Sturdy and durable, this book will keep a spot on your shelf and desk for precise study and sermon writing. This is an outstanding volume in Crossway’s Expository Commentary — rich, in-depth, and insightful.

I received a media copy of ESV Expository Commentary: Isaiah–Ezekiel and this is my honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a (huge) commentary on Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel. It's from a conservative view (for example, listing the reasons why we can believe all of Isaiah was written by one man). Each book first had an introduction section about when and who wrote the book along with the major themes. Then the text of each chapter of that book (Isaiah, etc.) was provided in the ESV version. The commentary followed, with each group of verses summarized in plain English along with the point the writer was making. For those who have trouble understanding biblical figures of speech or lack knowledge of the cultural background of the text, this helps clarify the text. The authors also pointed out ongoing themes in that book and how the writer is building on those themes. It's an interesting read for any Christian, and I'd recommend it to those interested in these Old Testament books.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great work and excellent content. This commentary knew what it was and did a stellar job at it. It remained academic yet very pastoral. Though perhaps, I would have liked a different approach to some of the “responses” because it seemed as if it was doing apologetics in ways that pulled the reader away from the main point of the passage (this could just be preference). This is a commentary that is doctrinally precise and nowhere near superficial. Overall, this series is wonderful and shows Christ as ever-increasingly lovely and delightful.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review here is specifically for the Ezekiel portion of this commentary. Written by Iain Duguid, this commentary on Ezekiel was really quite good. The series itself has proven to be helpful for me in studying to preach various books of the Bible. Duguid's writing on Ezekiel was beneficial to my understanding of the book, as well as my ability to preach through the book.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good if massive (1200+ pp and it’s not a small format!) ESVEC.

Fyall on Isaiah helpful.
Hwang on Jeremiah v v good, with interest emphasis on communication.
Gibson on Lamentations very helpful, esp BT+application.
Duguid on Ezekiel excellent, esp BT.

Overall scrapes 5/5