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by R Reed Lessing (Author)
The Concordia Commentary series enables pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight and clarity. This newest commentary interprets the narrative of Jonah as true history that presents the God of Israel as gracious toward all who repent and believe in Him. Keeping its focus upon the one greater than Jonah, our Savior, Jesus, it discusses missions, Baptism, and prayer. The introduction discusses the book's historical setting, genre, and themes. The author provides a literal, original translation. Textual notes explain the grammatical features of the Hebrew, revealing the literary artistry of Jonah's author. This theological commentary clearly expounds the book's message in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures. Ironically, Jonah the Israelite begrudges God's abundant grace, while Gentiles are converted to saving faith through the power of the preached Word. Excursuses cover evangelism in the Old Testament, the Sign of Jonah in the Gospels, death and resurrection motifs from Jonah 2 in Christian Baptism, and God changing His verdict from judgment to salvation. The commentary's focus is on the one greater than Jonah: Jesus Christ, the Savior of all peoples.
