I have a great appreciation and admiration for Michael Whitworth. Michael started his own publishing company Start2Finish books a couple of years back. It is his aim to produce trusted, engaging guides to God’s word. He desires to cover every Bible book over the course of his lifetime. He is certainly making great strides at accomplishing this goal. I am amazed at the amount of material he is able to produce, given his work as a preacher and family man as well. You can read more about Michael, his blog, and other books at his website – www.MichaelWhitworth.com. I want to review two of Michael’s latest books.
The Derision of Heaven: A Guide to Daniel
I have read and taught this book twice. I developed a greater appreciation for the book the second time. I taught it to two different Sunday school classes at Seven Oaks. Michael does a wonderful job of helping the adult reader consider the famous stories of Daniel that are usually reserved for children’s classes. He shows their application and power for the Christian. The last 6 chapters of Daniel are some of the most difficult in all the Bible. Michael does not get bogged down in all of the details of the prophecies. He had adequately done his research and conveys the necessary information, but he succeeds in giving the reader an overall view of the meaning and some application from them. He is not dogmatic on his view, and is humble in interpreting apocalyptic literature. The book is concise and non-techical so that it can be easily used by the general audience which is his target. The church purchased books for students in my classes and many of them were read and used. My two favorite aspects of this book were: 1) his closing section at the end of each chapter called “Talking Points” where he makes some application to our current world, and 2) his constantly taking the reader back to Daniel’s overall theme of the sovereignty of God in this world. The reader is left with a renewed appreciation for the prophet Daniel as a man, and most importantly the power and might of God amongst the nations.
Buy Your Copy at Amazon
Kindle – $7.99; Hardcover – $18.99; Paperback – $11.99; Audio – $17.95
Esau’s Doom: A Guide to Obadiah
The little book of Obadiah is not often studied or preached from today. Michael has produced an ebook on the book. It is a quick but informative read. I have actually preached a sermon on Obadiah in times past, but this book gave me some new thoughts and information that will lead to some fresh sermons on Obadiah. Michael does a great job of making relevant and practical the ancient book of Obadiah. I was made to see Obadiah in new lights and with renewed application for the church today. He does a thorough job of research and explains the text in a concise manner. His talking points and use of historical information are some of the highlights. The reader is challenged to consider their attitude toward their enemies and our mercy and compassion for others.
Buy Your Copy at Amazon for $2.99
