This latest entry in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) may not be as overtly helpful as some in the series as a commentary of this pattern probably doesn’t lend itself to the design of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. What it lacks in general effectiveness, though, it more than makes up for in sheer fascination. These three, and especially the Song, have veered from the approach of the Reformation era. For my money, it has not changed for the better, so maybe the potential value of this volume should be that of reorientation.

The Introduction is well done and perhaps admits to the changes I alluded to above. Mr. Fink, does not, perhaps, want to go back as far in approaching the Song as me, but he doesn’t obscure the differences. You will want to check this out. Even in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes the Reformers simply found more treasure than we do today.

In these three books, the selective nature of the materials marshaled here could hardly be more fatal to gaining the big picture. You’ll likely be perturbed that the passage you want to address isn’t here in depth, but honestly how could anyone have done better?

Use this one more as a guide of how to do it rather than straight commentary and you will have uncovered its cache.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.