Peter Sammons reviews a compact study, freely available as downloadable PDF.
DIRECTNESS AND BREVITY
Published by Hesed Association, 2024.
What I like about this 38pp booklet (linked at the foot of this Review) is its timeliness, direct relevance and linking of Biblical prophecy to last days events. I’ve not previously seen this done with this writer’s* directness and brevity. So – in this sense – the book stands in a class of its own and it is to hoped readers will understand and value it for what it is, a clear and cogent commentary on what Scripture declares and how that works out in the real world – in history and in current affairs.
* In fact the booklet is co-written by a group of three, but author names and bios are not given. The book is designed to stand or fall on its biblical merits.
STRUCTURE
Core elements of the book are:
- Israel – the beginning, God’s promises
- The Name Israel
- Leviticus 26 – blessings or punishment
- The final re-gathering of Israel
- The end times have begun
- Conclusions
There are five useful maps that help illustrate key arguments raised. The underlying hermeneutic is that in our today we are seeing a reversal of the curses in Leviticus chapter 26, which the author understands as progressing sequentially 1948, 1967, and 1973.
RIVAL VIEWPOINTS?
The writer has chosen (and in my opinion, correctly) not to explore rival viewpoints and alternative interpretations.
There is a case for such approaches, to be sure, but to the busy contemporary reader looking for clarity, this writer’s approach will surely work well. We can argue “ ’til the cows come home” about alternative interpretations and viewpoints, but what is lacking in contemporary literature is a simple roadmap linking the varying streams of God’s prophetic utterances relating to His chosen people, Israel, and what that means for today – as well, ultimately – for all our tomorrows.
This book provides that clarity but does not seek to explore the question of ‘why did God reveal these things in the way He chose to do, through multiple prophets at differing time and in differing circumstances’. To answer such a question would surely prove to be far too speculative. God HAS revealed matters especially as relating to Israel and His approach to this is not for us to argue with; rather we look to engage with what God has given – in preference to critique.
TIMELINESS
Will this book date quickly? As the end of the book alludes to current affairs at the time of writing (especially the Hamas war starting in October 2023), as events move ahead at ‘breakneck’ speed, so we may find the future opens up quicker than our ability to think and reflect. More broadly, however, the conclusions reached in this booklet are likely to remain contemporary ‘agenda items’ for the foreseeable future. In that sense the book will continue to hold attention, and provide helpful answers.
I am happy to commend this short book as a valuable contribution to understanding, as well as the clearest brief exegesis on Israel in God’s salvation purposes that I have seen.
Peter Sammons
Author, “Last Days and End Times – Making the Connection”.
<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>
ISRAEL’S PURPOSE
a helpful and Bible-centric 38pp book, freely downloadable in PDF format. A useful summary and very much up to date with present developments.
Recent Comments