"Daniel: God's Kingdom Will Endure" by Wendy Widder. A Review

 

It has been said that John Calvin preached and taught through every book of the Bible except one. He avoided The Apocalypse because of how much heat and conflict it generated. I’ve felt that way for years regarding Daniel. But then I found Wendy Widder’s 608-page commentary on Daniel, and jumped in. Widder, an author, teacher, and scholar, has compiled a detailed study of this ‘Major’ prophet called “Daniel: God’s Kingdom Will Endure” which is part of Zondervan’s Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Bible (ZECOT). Because of her style, attention to language details and intertextual flavors, she has pulled together a valuable, readable tome that is friendly to preachers, Bible teachers, and the person who simply wants to grow.

 

The format is fairly standard for the ZECOT series. Each chapter gives the main idea of the passage, takes in the literary context, presents a translation and outline, shows the structure, explains the passage, and then concludes with an application section. That standard format helps to keep the reading flow moving along, while allowing readers to stay “in the game.” It’s easy to pick up at any place in the volume, figure out quickly where you are, and get right into the middle of things. And with large margins, one can jot down plenty of personal notes.

 

Widder is a gentle writer. She makes her position clear but doesn’t sass those who might disagree. Rather, she invites the reader into her work to see how her perspective is not what matters most, but that this biblical prophet is God’s word to his people, especially when they walk through dire times. For example, after she states that Daniel records real events that happened to a real Daniel, she makes her case why this book might have been compiled long after Daniel had passed from the scene, even including vaticinium ex eventu prophecies (spoken of after the event). Then she states that she does not “consider these issues critical to understanding the meaning and significance of the book” (31). True to her stated conclusion, rarely does her after-the-fact outlook intrude into the comments. For Widder, however Daniel came together, it is God’s word to God’s people. And of that the author is certain.

 

Though I might disagree with some of her conclusions here and over there, nevertheless she eased my apprehensions and drew me into this biblical book. And my time there, with Widder, was deeply profitable. I came away firmly reminded that no matter who is governing, no matter how egotistical and arrogant they might be, no matter how much they may claim the throne of God for themselves, no matter how much adversity may assault the people of God, no matter what happens on the world scene with all of its raging and storming, God’s kingdom will endure. “We are part of a greater story that God is writing as he brings history to its consummation under the earthly rule of his Anointed One” (540), and “God cares about and is in control of every detail of history” (541). While reading her commentary, I decided that it was time for me to overcome my reticence and preach a sermon series at my church on Daniel. And the author helped me to see that 2024 was the time, and I have a good source to use as I take on this high adventure.

 

“Daniel: God’s Kingdom Will Endure” from the ZECOT series, is just the right book! Perfect for that preacher you wished would teach or preach through Daniel, and not get lost in all the fanciful interpretations that include Apache Helicopters and the Trilateral Commission. It is also a useful resource for seminary and Christian academic libraries. And this coming year is the ideal season to pick it up and prayerfully work through it, because no matter who is governing, no matter how egotistical and arrogant they might be, no matter how much they may claim the throne of God for themselves, no matter how much adversity may assault the people of God, no matter what happens on the world scene with all of its raging and storming, God’s kingdom will endure. I highly recommend the commentary.

 

My thanks to Zondervan for sending me a free copy of the commentary for this review. They made no demands on me. They offered me no bribes. No one was held hostage, and no animals were harmed. Therefore, this evaluation is all mine, freely written and freely given.

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