Robert B. Chisholm Jr. and Michael Hontz, Isaiah 1-39 (Kerux)

Chisholm Jr., Robert B., and Michael Hontz. Isaiah 1-39. A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching. Kerux Commentaries. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Ministry, 2025. 579 pp. Hb. $43.99   Link to Kregel Ministry  

In this new volume in Kregel’s Kerux commentary series, Robert Chisholm, Jr. and Michael Hontz combine detailed exegesis of the Hebrew text of Isaiah 1-39 with homiletical insights to help preachers and teachers present this Old Testament book to their congregations. The Kerux series pairs an exegete with a pastor. Chisholm is Department Chair and Professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He served as the Senior Old Testament Editor of the NET Bible. Chisholm’s other publications include numerous articles on hermeneutics and the prophets, Interpreting the Minor Prophets (Zondervan, 1990), Handbook on the Prophets (Baker, 2009), Interpreting the Historical Books in Kregel’s Handbook for Old Testament Exegesis series, and the Kregel Exegetical Library volume on Judges and Ruth (reviewed here). He has been paired with Michael Hontz, senior pastor of Pleasant View Bible Church (Warsaw, Indiana), since 2011.

Isaiah 1-39, Kerux

In a brief fifteen-page introduction, Chisholm States that this commentary will approach Isaiah 1-39 as “essentially Isaianic” with minimalist redactions (41). The introduction includes a brief survey of reduction criticism as applied to Isaiah (Clement, Kaiser, and Williamson). He obviously does not like the methodology of redaction criticism, suggesting “questionable premises” and “methodological flaws” (such as assuming that the redactor did sloppy work; 41). In the commentary itself, he will address some of these reduction concerns (see 5:25; 6:11-12; 8:2; 11:1, 11-12; 18:7; 31:4; 34:5). Aside from these notable exceptions, the commentary assumes Isaiah is the author of the text and attempts to exegete the text as it appears in the Bible. In the body of the commentary, Chisholm also occasionally comments on form criticism (see, for example, on the woes in Isa 5, 131-32).

Although he identifies Isaiah as the author, “a robust view of biblical inspiration” does not preclude “inspired additions,” similar to the book of Deuteronomy (someone has clearly added Moses’s death). He offers three examples of these additions. First, Isaiah 2:2-4 is identical to Micah 4:1-3, and it is impossible to determine which is the original or if they both borrowed from a common source. Second, Isaiah 36-39, except for Hezekiah’s prayer in 38:9-20, is the same as 2 Kings 18:17-20:19. Third, Isaiah 37:38 mentions the assassination of Sennacherib in 681 BC. A later editor likely added this historical note.

The introduction includes a historical and cultural context, 42-47. This section tracks the rise of the Syrian Empire from Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727) through the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. This historical setting includes Babylon’s entry into politics. He describes this. Chisholm describes this period as one of “societal disintegration” (47). This disintegration includes “big government” radically disturbing the socioeconomic equilibrium envisioned in the covenant. The remainder of the introduction focuses on literary forms in Isaiah and the theological focus of Isaiah. Most of these points will be developed throughout the body of the commentary.

The commentary divides Isaiah 1-39 into four sections with twenty-five “preaching passages.” Each preaching section includes an exegetical idea, a theological focus, and a preaching idea. These are brief statements which will be familiar to readers of Hadden Robinson. Following these statements are two paragraphs of “preaching pointers,” helpful suggestions for those presenting this material from the pulpit (or in a Sunday school class or small group Bible study). Some units cover two or more chapters, including a single unit on the Oracles concerning Various Nations (Isaiah 15-23), which spans nine chapters of Isaiah in a single preaching unit. I am not sure if many pastors are preaching from that section of Isaiah (although they should).  This material is summarized on pages 13-33 and repeated at the beginning of each chapter.

Each unit of the commentary begins with a summary of the literary structure and themes, setting the unit in the context of the whole book of Isaiah. These included a detailed outline of the section. The exposition is based on the Hebrew text, and the Hebrew appears without transliteration. Some Hebrew training is helpful when Chisholm comments on wordplay in the Hebrew text (135). Some sidebars discuss Hebrew syntax without additional explanation (hiphel vs. piel, for example). But for the most part, the exposition is clear and should be accessible to most readers, even if they have forgotten their seminary Hebrew.

Embedded in the exposition are occasional sidebars entitled “Translation Analysis.” Here, Chisholm deals with lexical details and compares various English translations. Chisholm does not deal with textual issues, although he occasionally refers to the Septuagint if there is a significantly different reading. These sidebars are helpful since most congregations use a variety of translations. This material will help answer the common question for Bible teachers, “Why does my NIV say something different than the ESV?”

As with other volumes in the Kerux series, the commentary includes several sidebars on more technical topics, as well as historical and cultural contexts. (Sidebars appear in a light grey box.) I will illustrate this with Chisholm’s commentary on Isaiah 7:14, one of the more controversial passages in the book due to its declaration of fulfillment in Matthew 1:23. He discusses the meaning of עַלְמָה (ʿalmâ), noting that in the Old Testament, the word’s meaning is ambiguous. Sometimes the word refers to a virgin, sometimes a young woman (179). In one sidebar, he compares the word to a Ugaritic cognate to support this view. “The woman’s status and conception are not the central ingredient in the sign,” the meaning of the child’s name is what is important: “God with us” (180). In a lengthy two-page sidebar, Chisholm surveys fulfillment of prophecy in Matthew. In addition to Isaiah 7:14, he examines Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15, Jeremiah 31:15 in Matthew 2:18, and the identity of Jesus as a Nazarene in Matthew 2:23. Chisholm concludes, “Matthew sees fulfillment in a subtle manner” (191). There is an underlying pattern that is filled out more completely in Jesus.

Another sidebar explores a potentially controversial issue: “Does Isaiah 14:12-15 describe Satan’s fall?” Although popular among evangelicals, John Calvin called this view “useless” and based on “great ignorance” (293). Chisholm examines the evidence for the passage as the Fall of Satan, with parallels to Ezekiel 28 (a jeweled cherub in Eden who is cast out). Both passages, he suggests, refer to humans and are best explained by intertextual links and parallel Ancient Near Eastern motifs (294).

Michael Hontz’s “preaching and teaching strategies” are particularly well done. After the exegetical section and theological synthesis, Hontz repeats the preaching idea for the section and then offers a few pages on “Contemporary Connections.” Like other Kerux commentaries, he answers three questions about the text: “What does it mean?” “Is it true?”  and “Now what?” Some of this material may be described as intracanonical connections, as Hontz draws parallels between the text of Isaiah and the New Testament. These extend beyond the fulfillment of prophecy, focusing on broader questions of biblical theology. The “Now what?” section is important since “Why should I be preaching from Isaiah 5?” is a legitimate question for a contemporary preacher. Most of the preaching sections are smaller units (one or two chapters), but the authors treat Isaiah 14:23-23:18 in a single unit. How can you preach on nine chapters of oracles against the nations? Hontz suggests the theme of the whole section is “God’s future, worldwide, messianic kingdom.” A preacher or teacher should focus on that theme and select a few key sections to illustrate it in their sermon.

For many readers, “Creativity in Presentation” is the most appealing aspect of the preaching strategies (or at least the first thing they will turn to). In this section, Hontz offers two or three tips for preaching, primarily in the form of illustrations or suggestions for sermon introductions on the unit. Hontz includes many references to pop culture, sports (including my favorite athlete of all time, Rosie Ruiz), or recent news stories (sometimes with links to websites for more information). Having reviewed many volumes of the Kerux series, I found Hontz’s illustrations to be well chosen and interesting. Each unit concludes with five discussion questions (which may prompt application in the mind of a preacher). The commentary has a bibliography, but no indices.

Conclusion. Chisholm and Hontz’s commentary on Isaiah 1-39 is an excellent contribution to the Kerux series. Chisholm’s exegetical work is well done, and Hontz’s homiletical comments will be of value to any preacher or teacher working on this important prophetic book.

NB: Thanks to Kregel for kindly providing me with a review copy of this book. This did not influence my thoughts regarding the work.

Other volumes reviewed in this series:

 

 

 

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