ESV Concise Study Bible

 

If you can read fairly small print (7.75-point font), the new ESVConcise Study Bible, which Crossway kindly gave me to review, provides an excellent, hardback edition to carry to your Bible discussion group as it features over 12,000 study notes, over a dozen articles on the scriptures and/or Christian life, and loads of maps within the text to keep you grounded in the biblical terrain.

 

The highly popular ESV Study Bible, which my husband gave me in gorgeous leather and which I reviewed almost a decade ago, includes more articles and aids, but its encyclopedic size kept me from taking it to study groups. Therefore, it’s on my desk, waiting for me to research a biblical theme I plan to write about or prepare me for my weekly Bible discussion group.

 

Like its larger counterpart of the English Standard Bible study edition from Crossway, the ESV Concise Study Bible also includes helpful features such as “The Time between the Testaments,” illustrations such as “The Temple Mount in the Time of Jesus” as well as charts and diagrams within the text. It also includes study questions to think about such as:

 

“Who is involved in the passage?

What are they saying?

Are there any repeated words, clauses, or themes?

What is the passage’s historical and literary context?

Do the verses before and after this passage help me to understand more about the verses?”

 

Bible students are also asked to consider:

 

“What does this passage teach me about God and his work in his world?

At what point in God’s story is this passage taking place?

Is this passage fulfilled in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection?

How does this text inform my faith?”

 

Ultimately, Holy Scriptures are meant to be applied to our lives. For instance, “The Bible: God’s Message to Us” asks us to ask ourselves:

 

“What should I do or believe because of the text?

How does this text impact my life?

What does God expect from me?

How can this text encourage my faith?”

 

Well, there’s more – much more packed into this concise edition, which aids our understanding of life in Israel, the Trinity, teachings of Jesus, and even curses! For example, the Glossary defines a “curse” as the consequence of breaking covenant with God then goes on to say: “Such curses are always intended to lead to repentance so that one’s relationship with God can be restored.”

 

May God restore, renew, and bless our relationship with Him, our loved ones, and our fellowship with other Christians in this Christmas season and throughout all of our coming years.

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, blogger, Bible reviewer

 

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ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke

 

My first impression of the ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, is undeniable heft! With 1156 pages and a three-inch depth from hardcover front to back, the very weight of this volume illustrates its own aim toward comprehensiveness.

 

Using the highly acclaimed ESV translation (English Standard Version) as the basis of this massive work, the scholarly team referred to biblical texts in the original languages and also to noncanonical sources such as the books often referred to as the Apocrypha as well as writing from the early church. In addition to thoroughness and accuracy, the contributors wanted the commentary to be “globally aware – aimed as much as possible at a global audience, in line with Crossway’s mission to provide the Bible and theologically responsible resources to as many people around the world as possible.”

 

Beginning, of course, with the Gospel of Matthew, the Introduction of twenty pages adds another six to provide an outline with these headings:

 

I. The Origin, Birth, and Identity of Jesus (1:1-2:23)

II. The Preparation and Early Ministry in Galilee (3:1-4:25)

III. The First Discourse: Discipleship in Jesus’ Kingdom (5:1-7:29)

IV. The Kingdom’s Growth under Jesus’ Authority (8:1-11:1)

V. The Kingdom’s Growth in the Face of Resistance (11:2-13:58)

VI. Training the Disciples among Crowds and Leaders (14:1-20:34)

VII. Conflict and Teaching in Jerusalem (21:1-23:39)

VIII. The Fifth Discourse: Trouble, Perseverance, and the Eschaton (24:1-25:46)

IX. Death and Resurrection (26:1-28:20)

 

Once the actual text begins, each passage is followed by a Section Overview, Section Outline, Comment, and Response, the latter of which helps readers to consider and apply the biblical truths just discussed.

 

For example, after presenting the ESV translation of Matthew 5:1-16, the section overview tells us:

 

“The Beatitudes only faintly overlap the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 or other virtue lists such as Colossians 3:12-15 and 2 Peter 1:5-8. They also contrast with classic Greco-Roman virtues: courage, wisdom, temperance, justice. They are equally distant from the contemporary praise of authenticity, tolerance, determination, and honesty. Indeed, the Beatitudes seem to be traits no society admires.”

 

Besides this listing of God’s priorities, we’re reminded that “The Beatitudes are steeped in the OT.” With those biblical roots often found in Psalms, “The Beatitudes also align closely with Matthew’s portrait of Jesus.” I’ve omitted the many scriptural references below as the overview goes onto to say:

 

“Seven of the eight beatitudes cite traits that Matthew later ascribes to Jesus, typically using the same Greek terms. Jesus repeatedly says that a disciple should be like his master. So Jesus blesses those who mourn, and Jesus mourns over Israel. Jesus blessed the meek, and he is meek. Likewise, Jesus pursues righteousness and shows mercy. He also grants and exhorts purity, offers peace, and endures persecution. Thus Jesus blessed disciples whose character conforms to his. Matthew frequently explores the way Jesus fulfills, and the disciples participate in the Beatitudes.”

 

Following an Outline of this section, the Comment on Matthew 5:1-5 tells us:

 

“Contextually, vast crowds are following Jesus at this time, largely because of his miracles. But Jesus seeks disciples, not merely a crowd of followers. The moment has come to describe the nature of discipleship.

 

“The first three beatitudes describe awareness of need. When Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom,’ he establishes a kingdom virtue that clashes with other notions of virtue. To be poor in spirit is to know one’s spiritual neediness and dependence on God.”

 

The Response following each section calls us to consider what we’ve read as we evaluate our own lives and pray for God’s help. In the Response to Matthew 5:1-16, for example, we read:

 

“It is impossible to expound Matthew 5 without beginning to call for a response, as recent paragraphs show. First, every beatitude prompts self-examination…. Do I mourn sin in society or have I become cynical…. Am I merciful? Do I pursue peace or seek unnecessary conflict? Every question invites us to go deeper.”

 

Moving on to Mark, the Introduction provides this purpose for the book:

 

“The ultimate intent of Mark’s Gospel is to present and legitimize Jesus’ universal call to discipleship as he inaugurates God’s eternal and universal rule and build his eternal temple made of ‘living stones.’”

 

The universal appeal of discipleship extended itself to children, too, as shown in Mark 9 and 10. In the Response to this passage:

 

“Jesus does not instruct his disciples to become childish. Instead he calls them to be childlike. In simple trust and humility before the God who atones. The power of humility resides in the fact that a humble person does not depend on his own limited strength. Rather, such a person entrusts himself to the powerful and deeply resourceful hand of God. Humility does not seek itself. Rather, it pursues God’s purposes in God’s way. In this way, a humble person may be very strong in character, since such a person trusts entirely in God’s power.”

 

Turning to the Gospel of Luke, we again find a lengthy Introduction, which, as do the others, includes:

 

Overview

Author

Date and Occasion

Genre and Literary Features

Theology of Luke

Relationship to the Rest of the Bible and to Christ

Preaching from Luke

Interpretive Challenges

 

To give you an idea of “Genre and Literary Features, this section on Luke “zeroes in on the birth of the Baptist and the experiences of his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah. At the same time, in contrast with Matthew, Mary’s perspective on the birth of Jesus is featured, and thus we read about Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, the visit to Elizabeth, her song of praise, her pondering in her heart the things said and done in those days. Luke also relays the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, precipitated by the census commanded by Caesar Augustus. At the same time, only Luke tells us of the revelation of Jesus’ birth to shepherds and of their subsequent visit. Unique to Luke as well is the narrative of Jesus’ presentation in the temple and the words of Simeon and Anna on that occasion. Finally, only in the Lukan infancy narrative do we read the narrative of Jesus’ traveling with his parents to Jerusalem for Passover, where he stays behind for conversations with religious leaders in the temple.”

 

I’ve often wondered what became of those leaders and if they ever let themselves be led by Christ. But we can! With the Bible and Holy Spirit to guide us, this Expository Commentary from Crossway will help to open up The Way.

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, and lifelong lover of God’s Word

 

 

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ESV Journaling Bible

 

Many of us who long to get closer to God are apt to jot down our thoughts, questions, prayers, poems, or insights as we read the Bible. Almost any wide-margin Bible gives us room to do that as our written words interact with the written Word of God.

 

If we want to read the Bible straight through, as we would any book or family saga, we might choose a conversational translation or a paraphrase, but for journaling, an excellent choice is a word-for-word translation as our words respond to what God has to say.

 

Consider, for example, a message from a friend. Would you prefer to receive word from the bearer of news or would you rather hear directly from your friends themselves before responding? The translators of the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV) aimed in that direction.

 

In the Preface of the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, the “Translation Philosophy” states:

 

“The ESV is an ‘essentially literal’ translation that seeks as far as possible to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on ‘word-for-word' correspondence, at the same time taking full account of differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and exact force of the original.”

 

When we hear directly from our friends, we can catch their voice inflections, listen to what they actually have to say, and respond appropriately.

 

Not only does the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible give you that opportunity, this edition comes in a variety of patterns. Inside those cloth-over-board covers, the cream-colored Smyth-sewn pages have lines awaiting a word from you.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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ESV Panorama New Testament

 

The ESV Panorama New Testament, published by Crossway who kindly sent me a copy to review, presents the NT in a unique, panoramic view.

With extra-large pages (10.2 x 12.6") inside a hardback cover, this edition uses a well-spaced 8.5-point font, so each book of the New Testament requires as few pages as possible.

Shorter books take only one or two pages, which means a whole book often spreads before you, making it easy to see favorite verses you underline or key words you circle. 

To encourage that process, the edition has thick, cream-colored pages Smyth-sewn into a grey cloth-over-board cover that lays flat on a desk or table.

The idea is to engage readers fully with God’s Word. For instance, the layout of the Panorama New Testament enables Bible students, pastors, teachers, writers, and devotional readers to follow a particular theme or topic in each book or readily locate scriptures to memorize.

This reader edition contains no footnotes or other aids generally found in hefty study Bibles, but the large pages and wide margins provide plenty of space to make your own notes. And, unlike study Bibles that might be a few inches thick, this one is only 0.7-inch, which seems far less formidable for those of us who like to read an entire book of the Bible at one sitting.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer

 

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Every Day Bible: 365 Readings Through the Whole Bible

Published by Crossway, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the Every Day Bible: 365 Readings Through the Whole Bible weaves together scriptures from the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament with text from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.

This highly acclaimed word-for-word translation is, as the Preface tells us, “essentially literal” with a goal “to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer.” As a writer myself, I appreciate the aim to retain the tone or voice of biblical writers, which clearly differentiates the long, complex sentences of the Apostle Paul from the brief, practical statements of James or poetic voice of John.

I wish this nice edition showed which verses are on which page in case we want to find a particular passage. Also, I’m interested in how the producers of the book decided which portions of scripture would be placed on which page. Was this, for instance, random or were themes intended to be developed or was each date for a day’s reading influential? (Looking at the readings for December 25^th, however, I’d have to say the latter is unlikely.)

Regardless of the emphasis I might have had, the publisher succeeded well in carrying out its own excellent purpose and “goal of helping you engage with God’s Word every day of the year. Each daily reading can be completed in approximately fifteen minutes, and includes a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.”

The handy book size, clear font, and slick cover encourage reading, and the large lettering used for each day of the year helps readers to find their place easily by a quick glance at a calendar. More important, the quality of the book should support years of use as this unusual paperback actually has a Smyth-sewn binding!

If you’ve been looking for a scripturally-sound devotional book and/or a reminder to read the Bible every day, I highly recommend combining both with the Every Day Bible: 365 Readings Through the Whole Bible from Crossway.

Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, and Bible reviewer eagerly awaits review copies of the next new editions or translations of the Bible – especially in large print!

 

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Literary Study Bible, ESV

As a poet and writer, I’m just naturally interested in the effects literary forms have on readers. For instance, narratives draw us into stories with which we can relate, while poetry expresses for us the praise, laments, thoughts, and feelings we have in common.

In other words, poems and stories help us to connect with God, one another, and ourselves. It’s not surprising then that the Bible consists primarily of two main genres or types of literature: narratives and poetry.

In the Introduction to the Literary Study Bible, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, we learn that biblical narratives come in sub-types such as the “hero story, Gospel, epic, tragedy, comedy (a U-shaped plot with a happy ending), and parable. Specific poetic genres keep multiplying as well: lyric, lament psalm, praise psalm, love poem, nature poem, epithalamion (wedding poem) and many others.”

The Introduction goes on to say, “In addition to narrative and poetry, we find prophecy, visionary writing, apocalypse, pastoral, encomium, oratory, drama (the book of Job), satire, and epistle. Then if we start adding more specific forms like travel story, dramatic monologue, doom song, and Christ hymn, the number of literary genres in the Bible readily exceeds one hundred.”

Since we might not be familiar with all of these literary terms, the publisher included a Glossary in the back of the book, explaining, for example, that encomium is “A work of literature that praises either a general character type (e.g., Psalm 1 on the godly person and Prov. 31:10-31 on the virtuous wife) or abstract quality (e.g., 1 Corinthians 13 on love and Hebrews 11 on faith).”

Does any of this matter? I think so. For example, if you know I’m a fairly well-traveled Southerner who grew up believing in God’s love for all people, in Jesus as the full embodiment of God’s Word, and in Christian fellowship as vital for up-building the church, you’ll have a better idea of where I’m coming from and, therefore, more likely to connect. Similarly, the literary forms in the Bible help us to know where the writers were coming from and what they hoped we, the readers, would relate to, hear, and heed as they bring us God’s message in a particular way. Or, as the Introduction puts it:

“Whereas history and the daily news tell us what happened, literature tells us what happens – what is true for all people in all places and times…. The goal of literature is to prompt a reader to share or relive an experience. The truth that literature imparts is not simply ideas that are true but truthfulness to human experience.”

To give you a better idea of the features in this edition, let’s begin in the beginning with Genesis, “The Book at a Glance.”

“As its title signals, the book of Genesis is the Bible’s book of beginnings. It is a foundational book that informs us about the first principles of the biblical faith – such first principles as how the world came into being, how sin entered the world, how God began to unfold his plan of salvation, and what people and human institutions (especially the family) are like. Although Genesis is a history book, its history is packed in highly literary forms, the most dominant of which is hero story. Because the history that is recounted in the book of Genesis reaches back to the primitive origins of the human race, it is particularly rich in universal, elemental human experience. Despite the seeming remoteness of the world of Genesis, the experiences are actually very close to our everyday lives.”

In one example of the timelessness of these experiences, we read how the serpent in the Garden of Eden cast doubt on whether God meant what He said – a question that troubles many people today. (Unnecessarily, I must add! If God said it, God means it!)  Another example of a common experience is the sibling rivalry Cain felt for Able (though we pray it doesn’t have the same tragic ending in our families!) Or what about Abraham’s lying to protect himself or Jacob’s learning the hard way that deceitfulness is apt to boomerang?

“The Book at a Glance” for Job has its own theme and purpose as “It raises the question not simply of why people in general suffer but specifically of why the righteous suffer. Philosophers and theologians call this ‘the problem of evil’ and the attempt to offer a satisfactory solution to the problem is called theodicy.”

Regarding the genres used in Job, “The story begins and ends with a narrative frame in which the author tells the story of the fall and restoration of the protagonist Job. Within these bookends, though, the primary form is drama, as we are presented with the speeches and dialogues of the actors in the story. The form in which these speeches are cast is poetry.”

Before reading The Psalms, its “Theological Themes” introduce us to “(1) The nature of God: no book of the Bible offers a more comprehensive survey of the acts and attributes of God. (2) The nature of people: because every psalm is at some level a personal statement by a poet. Psalms is also an index to what people are like, both good and bad. (3) Nature and the physical creation: the psalms say and imply many things about the external world that God made and sustains. (4) Worship: the psalms are used in worship, and many of them talk about worship. (5) Suffering: the many lament psalms yield a theology of suffering.”

Skipping ahead to the New Testament, a footnote on Matthew 5 points out that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount “has the nature of an inauguration speech.”

The footnote goes on to say, “The beatitudes are one of the most patterned passages in the entire New Testament. They follow the Hebrew verse form of parallelism: In each beatitude, Jesus (a) pronounces a blessing on a group of people, (b) names the group according to their essential trait, and (c) offers a reason (which is at the same time a promise) for their condition of blessedness.”

A distinctive feature in the Gospel of John “is the linking of a sign or other great symbol with a corresponding statement made by Jesus in the form of either a conversation or a full-fledged discourse. For example, Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink from the well (4:7-8) and then pursues a conversation with the woman about water that climaxes in Jesus’ claim to be the source of living water that wells up to eternal life (4:9-15). To cite another example, Jesus feeds five thousand (6:1-14), and a few verses later we read his discourse on Jesus’ being the bread of life (6:25-40).”

Symbolism reaches great height in the book of Revelation as the author uses narrative story and poetic imagery, metaphor, and simile in presenting its “pageant of visions.”

With these unique aids and insights into studying the highly acclaimed English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible,I look forward to sharing this excellent resource in my Sunday School and mid-week Bible discussion groups, which, Lord willing, will begin again soon, even if we need masks to accompany our prayers.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, poet, writer, pray-er, and lifelong believer in God’s Word.

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ESV Seek and Find Bible

When Crossway kindly sent me a review copy of the ESV Seek and Find Bible for children, its many features made me regret the categorization for kids 5-9. This hardback edition of the English Standard Version is so sturdy and well-done, older kids might want to read it -- and I do too!

Consider these features listed on the inside fold of the slick, attractive cover:

The complete ESV Bible text
provides a reliable translation in a readable font.

130 full-page, full-color illustrations
depict Bible people and scenes realistically in full color.

A simplified Bible story retelling for each illustration
For example, “Deborah’s Message from God” depicts the story found in Judges 4-5, with an era-friendly illustration and the words in this excerpt:

“After twenty years of living under the mean King Jabin, the people of Israel cried out to God for help. God listened to their prayers and sent them help through a judge named Deborah. Every day Deborah sat near a palm tree in the desert and helped the people of Israel with their problems.

God told Deborah exactly what to do.”

Reflection questions for each story to help kids understand and apply God’s Word
In the story “Jesus Calms the Storm” from Mark 4:35-41, “Key Questions” include:

Why were the disciples afraid when the storm was raging?
What did Jesus say, and what happened when he said it?
Why should Jesus’ miracles fill us with faith?

Related Bible readings for each of the 130 stories
For the story of Jesus’ calming the storm, readers are encouraged to look up relevant scriptures in Luke 8:22-25 and John 6:16-21.

50+ illustrated profiles of major Bible characters from Adam and Eve to Timothy
For example, a side bar in the Gospel of John introduces readers to Andrew:

“Andrew was a fisherman who listened eagerly to the teaching of John the Baptist. John told people that they must repent and get ready for the promised Messiah. When John called Jesus the Lamb of God, Andrew knew that he must now follow Jesus the Messiah. Andrew found his brother, Simon Peter, and brought him to Jesus, too. So Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became two of the 12 disciples, who were Jesus’ closest friends and helpers.”

Introductions to each book of the Bible
The Introduction to Psalms, for example, lets readers know the book, “written by different authors over a period of centuries” became the hymnal of God’s people.

“…Some psalms praise God with great joy for victory (Psalm 18); others for his acts of creation (Psalm 104) or for his provision and care ((Psalm 105). Others are laments, songs of mourning that praise God by bringing to him deep feelings of sadness (Psalm 88). Many psalms are cries for protection against persecuting enemies (Psalm 7). Other psalms confess sin and pray for forgiveness (Psalm 51). Still others express deep longings to know God better and follow him more closely (Psalm 27). The longest psalm praises the Word of God from many different perspective (Psalm 119). Several psalms look ahead to the Messiah in his sufferings (Psalm 22) and in his glory (Psalm 110). The book of Psalms is one of the best loved books of the entire Bible, having something for every believer, no matter what their specific circumstances or feelings.”

Alongside that Introduction (as with all the others intros), each page briefly includes information on:

• Author(s)
• Date
• People
• Purpose
• Central Themes
• Memory Verses

20+ illustrated facts about Bible objects, structures, and places
including the Jerusalem Temple, its main contents, and the city at various times. As children see what these look like, the Bible text becomes more real to them. One picture, for example, is of a “Galilean Fishing Boat” with these words beside the illustration:

“Jesus and his disciples probably used a boat like this one that fishermen typically used. It could have held 15 men and was 26.5 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet high.”

Key verses to memorize
has a little key drawn within a circle and placed next to verses such as this one from John 8:12:

“…Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

A few pages later, the Bible story of “Jesus Heals the Blind Man” includes that verse, so the above key verse shows the page number to that event. The problem I had, however, was finding that and other pages by number – ironically because the generous illustrations and other fine features utilize the same space in this highly recommended edition of God’s Word.


Reviewed by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020.

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The Enduring Word Bible: ESV

The Enduring Word Bible, which Concordia kindly sent me to review, makes a blessed beginning for the New Year or any time. 

This edition of the highly acclaimed ESV (English Standard Version) of the Bible invites you to make God’s Word your own as you color memory verses and pencil in prayers, insights, and other responses in the wide margins provided alongside the readable 9.5-point text.

Besides the 350 line-art illustrations in the margins of the book, this edition includes ten full-page illustrations for you to color, preferably with colored pencils or other medium that won’t smear or bleed through the thin pages.

Since the idea is to encourage you to meditate on God’s Word and use the margins to remind yourself of those close encounters with the Lord, you might want to add a date each time you jot down whatever comes to mind. Those reminders can continue to be a blessing in years to come as you recall your unique relationship with the Lord and pass along to loved ones this ongoing evidence of faith  and devotion to God.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, poet-writer, reviewer

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Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible

The Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible, which Concordia Publishing House kindly sent me to review, makes a wonderful Christmas gift (if ordered right now!) However, in its attractive gift case, this hardback edition makes a thoughtful gift any time for anyone, especially since it uses a 10.5 font size that most of us can easily read.

In addition to the accurate and clear English Standard Version, this Bible includes over 700 devotions relevant to the text. For example, the heading “Delight In God” quotes Job 27:10, “Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?”  In the devotional that follows, “Job asked if the godless would take delight in the Almighty and call upon Him. The obvious answer is no. Why would they? But do we delight in God?” If so, then….

“How do we reveal our delight in God? One way that Job indicated is to ‘call upon God at all times,’ especially in thanksgiving and praise. But how can we do this when we go through suffering as Job did? Our delight in God does not depend on our outward circumstances, but on who God is, on what He has done and continues to do for us.”

For another example, the prophetic word of Hosea 6:2 tells us, “On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” Then the devotional entitled “For A Little While” reminds us:

“Though we suffer now, we have an eternal perspective. For a little while, the Lord says, we will suffer the woes of the sinful flesh. But the third day is coming – the third day of resurrection.

“Easter morn meant that no suffering, disease, or death could touch Jesus again. It was also God’s promise to us of our resurrection day to come….”

With Christmas presently only a few days away, we’re reminded of Luke 2:20 when, “…the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” 

The devotional “The Night of Hope” follows that scripture of the Nativity then goes on to say:

“As you read the Christmas story anew, focus on Jesus. Focus on God’s love for you in the babe of Bethlehem, born of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. There He is in an animal shelter, having come to be your Savior. Don’t focus on your losses, failing health, tragic disappointments, or wretched sins. Focus instead on that glorious One who came to remove the stain of your sins and fill your heart with hope. This hope is for you and all humanity.”

As occurs in each devotional in this edition, those faith-building words end with a pertinent prayer:

“We praise You, Lord Jesus, begotten of the Father’s love from all eternity, and born to be who You truly are – the Prince of Peace. Amen.”

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, poet-writer, reviewer

Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible, ESV, hardback, gift case

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ESV Story of Redemption Bible

Those of us who love reading the Bible and learning more about God’s Word most likely enjoy having a variety of study editions to add light and insight to our readings. If that’s the case for you, the Story of Redemption Bible: A Journey through the Unfolding Promises of God from Crossway might be one you’ll want to add to your collection.

Since the publisher kindly sent me a review copy this week, I’ve had a chance to skim through, but not read the entire book. My first impression, however, is that this edition of the English Standard Version (ESV) will be most helpful to new Christians, young people, or readers new to the Bible. For example, the Introduction says:

“The goal for the ESV Story of Redemption Bible is to allow the reader to see the majesty and beauty of the Bible. May this resource launch the reader into a lifetime of reading, cherishing, learning from, and better understanding the Scripture. Our hope is that the reader will increasingly stand in awe at what God has done to save humanity from its sin. Most of all, we pray that the reader will come away with an understanding of how Jesus Christ stands at the center and pinnacle not just of the Bible’s storyline but of human history itself.”

The Preface then goes on to discuss translating the Bible from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic languages into English and to explain the decisions translators must make to use a “thought-for-thought” method or “word-for-word” (as the ESV aims to do) or something in between.

With almost 900 notes from pastor Greg Gilbert scattered throughout this edition, readers get an introduction to each book such as this one prefacing Genesis:

“The whole history of the universe begins right here in the book known as Genesis.The word genesis literally means ‘origin’ or ‘beginning,’ and that is exactly what this book describes – the beginning of everything.”

Other notes, however, offer background information not obvious in the text. For example, a note in Psalms says:

“Psalm 72 is the only psalm attributed to Solomon, and it is doubtlessly placed here at the end of Book Two for a reason. Throughout this section, David’s cries for divine help have focused a bit less on his own personal distress and more on the nation’s need for God’s deliverance. Further, it has become clearer and clearer that the ideal of God’s king worshiping in God’s temple in the center of God’s city would finally be realized through God’s reign over Israel. Psalm 72 represents, without doubt, the high point of that vision…”

Other features include an attractive and reasonably readable 9.25-point font, a single column format, and over 80 new maps and timelines designed by illustrator Peter Voth. In addition, a “Story of Redemption” foldout in the back of the book produces a timeline that’s helpful but a little hard to follow as it seems to read up and down, rather than linear.

Also, the “Intertestamental Period” between 400 and 5 B.C. is labeled as “400 years of silence” – an assumption many will be likely to protest if they find any spiritual value whatsoever in the “Apocryphal” (aka deuterocanonical) books written primarily in Greek during those particular years.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer


ESV Story of Redemption Bible, hardback



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Super Giant Print Bible in ESV from Crossway

ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone, Black)

The Super Giant Print Bible in the English Standard Version, (ESV) which Crossway published and kindly sent me to review, makes an excellent choice for a pulpit Bible. Not only is the ESV highly accurate and easy to follow along with other translations, the darkly inked 17-point type can probably be seen from the front pew! The humongous type should also eliminate the need to borrow someone else’s reading glasses in case you forget to bring yours to Bible Study.

This hefty reader edition is meant to last with extensive use too. The flexible TruTone cover has a double-row of stitching around the edges to minimize fraying over time, and the sewn-in pages have a center line down the middle to keep eyes from drifting from one column to the next.

Like most thick Bibles (which huge print or study editions are apt to be), the paper is thinner than some, but not overly so. However, to avoid any distraction by the ink shadowing the back of each page, this sturdy edition comes with a thoughtful touch – a black insert to place behind the page you’re reading.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer


SuperGiant Print Bible, TruTone cover




ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone, Black)
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FIREBIBLE from Hendrickson Bibles in large print

When Hendrickson Bibles kindly sent me a review copy of the Fire Bible, my first impression was, “Huge!”

At 9” wide, over 11” long, and over 2” deep, this large print hardback study edition of the English Standard Version (ESV) should work exceptionally well on a pulpit or a study desk. Despite the unlikelihood of our carrying it to our Bible study groups or sit around reading it on our laps, it’s what I’ve been looking for – a large print Bible with large print footnotes, which require ample space.

Originally known as the Full Life Study Bible, this expanded edition includes study notes from the late Donald C. Stamps, a pastor and prolific writer who had a vision of a study Bible that would especially appeal to Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians. Although he did not live to see his work in print, the Fire Bible accomplishes his goal with study notes and articles of interest to most students of the Bible.

Those study helps include “Contents: Articles,” “God’s Plan of Salvation,” a cross-reference system, book introductions, theme finders, subject index, concordance, and more.

To give you an example of the articles, the one on “The Fear of the Lord” says, “By fearing God, we can avoid being trapped by the natural pull toward going our own way, defying God and giving in to the inviting ways of immoral behavior.”

But what does that fear mean? The article goes on to explain that the fear of the Lord “involves understanding several things about a believer’s relationship with God.” For instance, “we must recognize that God is loving, merciful and forgiving; but he also is holy, just and righteous.” Therefore, we’re “to be in awe of his holiness, to give him complete reverence and to honor him as the God of great glory, majesty, purity and power.”

Such high regard shows we can trust God to be wholly free of pettiness, mean-spiritedness, or any kind of evil. Nevertheless, “It is a sobering and absolute truth that God is constantly aware of our actions and motives, both good and bad, and that we will be held accountable for those actions….”

Thankfully, the Bible gives us the guidance needed to keep our actions in line with God’s will. Consider, for instance, Psalm 1:2, which tells us the “blessed” person meditates on God’s law days and night. As the footnote for that verse explains, “Those who desire to live with God’s blessing and favor meditate on God’s law (i.e., his Word) in order to shape their thinking, attitudes and actions in a positive way.” Yes!

As we read the Bible, again and again, God’s Word corrects and perfects our way of looking at things, freeing us from misconceptions and the darkened thoughts most of us receive from bad experiences. Although we can do nothing to change the past, we can ask for God’s healing over our memories and hurts, and we can re-form our skewed thinking by meditating on God’s Word.

How? The footnote on Psalm 1:2 goes on to suggest we consider the following questions:

“How might God’s Spirit be applying this verse to my present situation?
What is this passage teaching me about God’s character?
Is there a promise here for me to recognize and claim?
Is this passage revealing a particular sin I must try to avoid?
Is God giving a command I must obey?
How should this truth affect my relationship with other people?
Is my spirit in hamony with what the Holy Spirit is saying?
Is the passage expressing a truth about God, salvation, sin, the word or my personal behavior that I need to understand better with the Holy Spirit’s help?
Is there something in this passage I can thank or praise God for?
How can I grow closer to God in light of what he is showing me through his Word?”

In the New Testament, the first words in the Gospel of John let us know that God’s Word comes to us, fully embodied in Christ Jesus. “Also, the Word describes Jesus as the perfect revelation and representation of the Father’s nature and character…. That is to say, he is God in human form.”

By living among us and being part of our everyday lives, Jesus showed us The Way to the Father and The Way to live on earth. And, amazingly, Jesus showed His trust – God’s trust in us! In Matthew 5:13, for example, we are called “the salt of the earth.” Those words aren’t calling us to become the salt of the earth, but to accept the fact as Jesus sees it: “You are the salt of the earth.”

As we meditate on that verse and what it means in our lives, the footnotes provide these insights:

“Salt seasons and flavors food, just as Christians should enhance and favorably influence the people and society around them. Salt is a preservative, just as Christians and the church should resist moral corruption and decay, preserving a godly influence on the culture. In addition, salt has healing properties, just as Christ’s followers must help bring healing to people who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. Salt also creates thirst, just as Christians – through their good example – should create spiritual thirst or desire in others to know more about God.”

May we, too, know more about God as we let God’s Word reshape our thoughts and lives.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2017, poet-writer and lifelong student of God’s Word

Fire Bible, large print, hardcover

ESV Single Column Journaling Bible

My review copy of the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, came in an attractive case matching the “summer garden” pattern on its hardback cover. The other option for this large print edition is a brown leather cover with closing strap as shown below.

I prefer the easy-on-the-eyes font found in both editions over the smaller type most Bible publishers use today, but, despite its current labeling, I’d wouldn’t call 9.5 point “large print.” Basically, it’s the text size of my older Bibles when “large print” was at least 12-point type with the standard size around 9 or 10.

The purpose of this single-column edition, though, is to give us a place to make notes to ourselves in the margins, which run an ample two inches on the outside edge of each page. Writing small will be necessary, however, as the lines allow a little over half the space of college rule.

Since I already have a hard-to-find leather-bound Bible with a 10-point font and wide margins all around, I’ll probably continue to use that for making notes before and during my Bible study class, but this journaling Bible makes me want to take another approach. When I first opened my copy, for example, I felt drawn to write haiku or aahcoo in the space beside the scriptures that evoked a poem. Or, I thought of claiming Bible prayers by writing down the date and the name of a person or event that came to mind upon reading. Or, I might jot down thoughts or insights relevant to the adjacent text.

You’ll probably think of other uses that haven’t occurred to me. Regardless, if you don’t have a wide margin Bible and would like to carry on a conversation with an accurate translations of God’s Word, this edition from Crossway makes a fine choice.

Mary Harwell Sayler, © 2016, poet-writer reviewer


ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, large print in summer garden hardback



ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, large print in brown leather with strap



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