Bruce K. Waltke

A monumental work; an essential reference, especially in its exhaustive coverage of the secondary literature. It is also a monument to 19th century linguistics and theories of language, informed but not influenced by 20th century developments in linguistics. Their explicit refusal to deal with text linguistics is an understandable need to limit scope, but separates it from being a truly 20th century syntax. Text linguistics provides explanation and motivation for syntactic features and show more structures and they choose to set it aside! One final critique: they often explain Hebrew syntax via English syntax instead of *mapping* Hebrew to English. So Hebrew syntax and semantics becomes English in code.

Having said all that, I use it nearly every day.... show less

Practical book on guidance. Exposes common fallacies about "finding God's will" and suggests there are a number of practice and sensible tools to provide guidance other than drawing lots including clear revelation in the scripture, prayer, desire, wise council, and opportunity. Points out that God isn't "hiding is will" but that doesn't mean we will understand what He's doing. I liked this book, but I found Dallas Willard's book on Guidance covered much of the same group, but was warmer and show more move inviting. show less

The title of Waltke’s book demonstrates his determination to prevent people from seeking the will of God in a superstitious manner. He begins the book with a number of examples in which Christians seek God’s will through coincidence or impressions. Waltke’s basic stance is that “God is not a magic genie. The use of promise boxes, or flipping open your Bible and pointing your finger, or relying on the first thought to enter your mind after a prayer are unwarranted forms of Christian show more divination” (12). Waltke agrees with Sanders that God equips people with gifts to match their calling and other Christians will affirm the person in that calling. Our calling is revealed through our relationship with God rather than through any special signs or “hunches” that he might provide.

Waltke has specific chapters on the basic ways in which God guides us: through obedience to the Bible, through matching our desires with scriptural principles, through wise counsel, through God’s providence in the world in line with his recorded will in scripture, and through rational sound judgment based on scripture, ability, giftedness, overall strategy and circumstances. He concludes with a chapter on divine intervention in which he focuses on “our getting to know [God] through his word and letting him shape our character, our hearts, and our desires. Then as we know the mind of God we can live out His will. He expects us to first draw close to Him, then allows for seeking wise counsel as confirmation, or taking our circumstances into consideration and using our own sound judgment to make a decision” (168-69).

This book is helpful in leading Christian to find the will of God not through superstitious means but in light of his divine revelation to all people and the specific talents, giftedness and ambitions that he has instilled in them personally. It balances well the fact that God desires for each person to fully walk in the Spirit in a personal way with the fact that God does not give everyone an itemised list of what they are to do in life. show less

Though lacking in editorial critiques from the perspective of the Book of the Twelve as one scroll, as those found in the latest commentary by J. Nogalski (2024), Waltke's exegesis is solidly grammatical. While one may not always agree with his interpretation, he invariably backs up with meticulous and insightful understanding of the text. This commentary on Micah has been and will continue to be the reference work on the prophetic book for years to come.