THE BIBLE EXPOSITION COMMENTARY
Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry
By Warren Wiersbe . Victor. 551 pages. £19.95
ISBN 0 781440 73 4
Warren Wiersbe's 'Be' books have sold in their millions and been a help to young Christians and seasoned preachers alike.
His first was 'Be Real', a commentary on 1 John which was published in 1972. The 23 paperbacks covering the New Testament were made available in two bound volumes in 1989.
Then Wiersbe started the Old Testament series with 'Be Obedient' on the life of Abraham, in 1991. 32 years later the final hardback compilation of Old Testament commentaries (on the Wisdom and Poetry Books) has been completed. Wiersbe says that during that time he has written several books, 'but "doing the next Be book" was always at the top of the agenda'.
Completing a commentary on the whole of the Bible is no mean task (even dear Matthew Henry died before finishing the whole of New Testament!). So Wiersbe has every right to say 'It is finished!'
I have found that reading the 'Be' books a source of immense blessing and pleasure. Somehow Warren Wiersbe manages to simplify into digestible bite-sized portions weighty arguments and themes, leaving one well fed by the spiritual food. There is an awareness of today's issues, totally related to sound exposition and dependence on the written Word of God. Wiersbe would not expect every reader to agree with every interpretation he has made. However, there is plenty to feast on, even if some would reach slightly different conclusions to his.
If I have any caveat, it would be that as a preacher I have to refrain from being defeated by the outlines, which I never feel I can improve on, so I am best not looking at until I have finished my preparation. I have listened to many a sermon, thinking: 'I know the source of that outline!' I wholeheartedly recommend the individual 'Be' books to carry around and read, or the six-volume edition to keep as a series of reference books.
