Book Review: The Oxford Handbook of the Book of Revelation, by Craig R. Koester

124 eight sections: Prologue: The Call of Jeremiah (1:1-19), The Personal Struggles of the Prophet (2:1-25:38), Increasing Unbelief and Opposition (26:1-29:32), The Restoration of Israel and Judah to the Land (30:1-33:26), The Call for Faithfulness (34:1-36:32), The Siege, Fall, and Aftermath in Jerusalem (37:1-45:5), Prophecies Against Nine Nations (46:1–51:64), and The Fall of Jerusalem (52:1-34). Each section has several subunits in which Kaiser translates the Masoretic Text, notes variants in the Septuagint, and provides verse-by-verse commentary on the passages. The commentary brings in a variety of Old and New Testament texts to elucidate aspects of Jeremiah and to show the book’s presence and influence within the Christian biblical canon. Four excurses appear at the end of the book: The Ark of the Covenant, The Queen of Heaven, Shub Shebut, and Topheth. Given their brevity, it might have been more helpful to include this content within the main text of the book. Moreover, the rationale for why each topic is given an excursus is unclear. The volume includes many assumptions and inferences on dating and interpreting Jeremiah’s prophecies without offering compelling evidence. Several sections contain snarky and judgmental remarks about people in antiquity and in the present. Countless exclamations (with ample exclamation points!), generalizations, and vague rants permeate the book. The synopsis claims: “Each section is followed by devotional and application insights that guide the reader in applying the text to their everyday lives.” It is difficult to determine where, if anywhere, these insights can be found. Interaction with more diverse and more recent scholarship might have enhanced this work. Studies in feminist criticism could have enriched the discussions of the human-divine marriage metaphor, references to daughter of my people and daughter Zion, and the Queen of Heaven excursus. Scholarship in literary criticism could have made the discussions of imagery and the mix of poetry and prose texts more interesting and informative. Studies on Jeremiah’s influence and reception in Jewish and Christian faith communities could have supported the theological aims of the work. Although some readers might appreciate its style and content, Walking the Ancient Paths leaves much to be desired. Jaime L. Waters DePaul University Chicago, IL 60614