Focused Biblical Scholarship to Teach the Text Effectively

The Teach the Text Commentary Series gives pastors the best of biblical scholarship and presents the information needed to move seamlessly from the meaning of the text to its effective communication. By providing focused commentary, this volume allows pastors to quickly grasp the most important information. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage, and sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text.
Jeremiah and Lamentations showcase a dark time in Judah's history, before and during the exile to Babylon. Here is insightful commentary to help the modern reader and teacher understand and apply these important but often neglected portions of Scripture. Jeremiah brings God's indictment against the people for repeated and egregious covenant violations. This is accompanied by a call to repentance that, if left unheeded, will lead to God's judgment. The people don't repent, and God does punish them, yet Jeremiah includes a message of hope for future restoration through a new covenant that will also bless the nations. Lamentations serves as a sequel to Jeremiah, in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall and the exile. The author laments over the destroyed city and, more importantly, over the sin that brought its downfall. It is a study in anguish, yet it too contains glimpses of hope in a restoring God.
"Daniel Hays has long been one of my go-to Old Testament scholars. His work on Jeremiah and Lamentations is going to serve very well those who teach and preach from these inspired texts. Balance, insight, careful exegesis, and healthy theology characterize this book. It is a most welcome addition to this excellent series."--Daniel L. Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"This commentary series promises informed exposition, sound theological insights, and creative connections with the modern context that demonstrate the relevance of the biblical message. This volume wonderfully meets all those expectations. Hays has provided a very useful work for pastors, teachers, and students alike that is instructive, practical, and engaging. A welcome addition."--M. Daniel Carroll R., distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary
"Focusing on the essentials and the big picture, Hays does a masterful job identifying the main themes of Jeremiah and Lamentations and showing their relevance for believers living in the modern world. I highly recommend this commentary for those who want to understand the message of these important books."--Robert B. Chisholm Jr., department chair and senior professor of Old Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary
J. Daniel Hays (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is the author or coauthor of many articles and books, including Grasping God's Word and The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook.

J. Daniel Hays (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of over a dozen books, including The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, Grasping God's Word, and The Message of the Prophets. Hays has also led numerous study trips to Israel and Turkey.