Creed, Confession, and Cooperation
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 67, No. 2 - Spring 2025
Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
By Michael A. Harbin and Mark C. Biehl. Grand Rapids: Kregel Ministry, 2024, 464 pp., $24.99.
Part of the Kerux Old Testament commentary series, this volume on Leviticus reflects a somewhat unique approach in that it combines the perspectives of an experienced exegete with those of a seasoned homiletician. The collaboration of Michael Harbin and Mark Biehl produces a detailed introduction and outline of Leviticus, a summary of proposed preaching sections, preaching pointers, and extensive insights from the Hebrew text.
Building on the concept of teaching which reflects the basic meaning of “torah,” the authors assert that Leviticus should be thought of as a “book of teaching which focuses particularly on relationships” (9). They then proceed to develop the relationship theme by identifying three key practices that contribute to the health of Israel’s relationship to God and of the relationship shared among members of the covenant community. The three practices are identified as corporate worship, personal and collective holiness, and righteous living as a covenant community. Within this thematic development, the authors are to be commended for their sensitivity to the circumstances and understanding of the book’s original recipients, considered specifically in conjunction with the prescribed instructions contained in Leviticus.
Interestingly, an overview of proposed preaching passages appears early, preceding the designated introduction to the commentary. The overview offers sixteen distinct preaching units. For each unit, there is a proposed exegetical idea, statement of theological focus, primary preaching idea, and summary of preaching pointers. These practical elements immediately signal robust commitment to an approach that aims to wed exegesis and homiletics together. The commentary’s introductory material is substantive. A lucid writing style and a reader-friendly format, which includes helpful sidebars that highlight key emphases in Leviticus, set the stage for the two major parts of the commentary which follow.
The first major part (1:1–10:20) focuses on guidelines for personal and corporate worship of a holy God and includes five key divisions, which potentially yield five distinct preaching units. The second major part (11:1–27:34) presents guidelines for developing and preserving a holy nation. It includes eleven key divisions, potentially yielding eleven distinct preaching units. Within both major parts, content addresses exegetical and textual matters as well as background and practical matters, providing a foundation for text-warranted application. In particular this reviewer found the translation analysis section for each textual division extremely helpful.
Other strengths of the commentary which merit mention are its seven appendixes and its helpful listing of references. While these elements appear near the back of the book, they offer rich insights and resources for those willing to consider them. As for areas that need bolstering, an inaccurate comment on the back cover should be addressed. There, the statement is made that this commentary series is based on the “text-driven Big Idea preaching model.” This assertion is confusing because it treats two distinct preaching models as one. “Big Idea” preaching has its roots in the work of Haddon Robinson in the early 1980s, while the philosophy of “text-driven” preaching was not articulated until the early 2000s. Greater clarity would help here.
For both the novice and the seasoned exegete and preacher, this commentary should prove to be a rich and welcomed resource. The blending of the exegetical and the homiletical works. Take up and read.
