This book is a verse by verse commentary of Ezekiel 26:1-39:29 (14 chapters) and consists of three major sections. Eze 26-28 is a story of the judgment of a worldwide commercial enterprise that controlled and enslaved individuals as well as nations. It was operated by leaders of the city of Tyrus. This was an international body that was in operation at the time that God's judgment of the nation of Israel started. The 2nd section (Eze 29-32) concentrates on God's judgment of Egypt, a formidable enemy of the nation of Israel. Seven major prophecies are presented to establish that God will judge not only Israel, but has or will judge Gentile nations of the world for their sins. Eze 33-39 is the focus of God's attention. The elements of God's actions to the reverse the effects of Israel's iniquity will end with a remnant of Israel being restored to their favored status with God.

This book is primarily concerned with describing the Millennial Sanctuary using scaled drawings to show its physical size and shape. One hundred illustrations and commentary are presented as the result of the author's analysis and synthesis of the book of Ezekiel using scripture contained in the King James Authorized Version of the Bible. The sanctuary was measured by an individual selected by the Lord, specifically, "a man...with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed," Eze 40:3. Ezekiel was commanded to "behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears...all that I shall show thee," Eze 40:4. Furthermore, in the same verse, he was to "declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel." The "man with the line of flax...and a measuring reed" then proceeded to make more than 160 measurements of items related to the sanctuary. This is more measurements than for any other object recorded in the Bible, including God's sanctuary in the wilderness, commonly referred to as the Tabernacle.

This book is a verse by verse commentary of Ezekiel 40:1-48:35 (9 chapters) and consists of three major sections. Eze 40-42 presents detail measurements of the Millennial Sanctuary. Over 100 drawings are included to assist in understanding the structure, its location and purpose. Eze 43-44 describe the return of the Glory of the Lord to reside in the midst of His chosen people Israel. The use of the Sanctuary as a place of worship and means of testimony to people from all nations of the earth is the object. A system of standard weights and measures will be established to achieve justice in the land. The method of admittance to the Sanctuary and ministering is a primary subject. The boundaries of land for the Sanctuary and a new city for Israel, the duties of priests and other Israelites, the rivers and boundaries for the nation of Israel and allotment of land for the 12 tribes of Israel is the subject of Eze 45--48.

The book of Ezekiel contains unique information about God's chosen people. The whole scope of God's love, sovereignty, power, omniscience, righteousness, mercy, anger, wrath and judgment towards saved, but rebellious people is revealed. God's treatment of His chosen people is a model of the way that He treats with saved, but rebellious individuals. In 1 Pet 4:17-18, Peter said, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Ezekiel's story of the whirlwind is the account of the reason for God's judgment of the nation of Israel, and corresponds perfectly with Peter's statement that "judgment must begin at the house of God." That nation was outwardly committed to God. They maintained that they trusted in God but they were guilty of being like neighboring nations.

Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.

For centuries, the Garden of Eden story has been a cornerstone for the Christian doctrine of the Fall and original sin. In recent years, many scholars have disputed this understanding of Genesis 3 because it has no words for sin, transgression, disobedience, or punishment. Instead, it is about how the human condition came about. Yet the picture is not so simple. The Genesis of Good and Evil examines how the idea of the Fall developed in Jewish tradition on the eve of Christianity. In the end, the Garden of Eden is a rich study of humans in relation to God that leaves open many questions. One such question is, Does Genesis 3, 4, and 6, taken together, support the Christian doctrine of original sin? Smiths well-informed, close reading of these chapters concludes that it does. In this book, he addresses the many mysterious matters of the Garden story and invites readers to explore questions of their own.

Narratives in Genesis 1-11 have been misunderstood in many ways, but they especially have been used to oppress women and African Americans and to present a God of wrath and judgment. This commentary seeks to explain the real message behind those narratives, which is one that speaks of human dignity and equality, that affirms monotheism, that criticizes kings and tyrants, that declares our oneness with the animal realm and nature, and that proclaims a powerful message of divine grace with a deity personally involved in the human world. Humor may also be found in some of these stories. These biblical passages can be best explicated by close reading as well as by knowledge of comparable stories from the ancient Near East and from the classical world, and finally by knowledge of the concomitant social and political values connected with those other myths and narratives.

To most modern readers the book of Ezekiel is a mystery. Few can handle Ezekiel's relentless denunciations, his unconventional antics, his repetitive style, and his bewildering array of topics. This excellent commentary by Daniel I. Block makes sense of this obscure and often misunderstood prophet and demonstrates the relevance of Ezekiel's message for the church today.