Bücher von Cyril J. Barber

Contemporary writers who have chosen to comment on the lives of people mentioned in the Bible invariably fall into one of two groups: the first provide us with pen portraits that paint the individual(s) without a single failing; the second appear to be so intent on portraying the weakness(es) of those whom they write that there is little or nothing for us to emulate. This work attempts to be different. By paying attention to the literary nuances in the original text, as well as the history, geography and social milieu of the different people, an attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each person and his/her work. Next to our Lord Jesus Christ there is no one in the New Testament who can be compared with the Apostle Paul. Around the life of the Lord Jesus there clustered, on the one hand, His disciples, and on the other, His malignant adversaries. Similarly, around the life of Paul we read of his loyal friends as well as his relentless enemies. Paul's friends and foes, who are mentioned in the book of Acts, are treated in this book. When Paul was nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage, he was languishing in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. It was then and still is a cold, comfortless dungeon. Paul wrote to Timothy and urged him to come to him before winter and bring with him certain of his possessions, including a cloak, that he had left in Troas. Paul, of course, had many friends, but Timothy was closest to Troas. Who were his friends, and what did they do? They are representatives of the multitude of people who, often unhonored and unsung, are worthy of our attention, for in many respects they are like us. It is the hope of the author that reading about these men and women will encourage a fresh study of the book of Acts.

Great are the works of the Lord; They are studied by all who delight in them"" (Psalm 111:2, NASB).When treating the life of Moses the psalmist wrote: ""The Lord remembered His promise given to his servant Abraham, and brought His people out of Egypt with rejoicing, His chosen ones with shouts of joy. He also gave them the lands of the nations, that they might take possession of the fruit of other people's labor ..."" (Psalm 105:42-44)The story of the Exodus is an intriguing one. Moses first attempted to help his people without God's call, expecting success as a result of his own ability. In the end he never undertook anything without God's guidance, and it is no wonder that He is linked with Samuel as an example of the power of intercessory prayer (Jeremiah 15:1).As to Moses' character, the only strong personal trait which we are able to glean from the biblical text comes from Numbers 12:3, where the word ""meek"" should be rendered ""much enduring, or strength under control,"" for he persevered through extremely difficult, trying circumstances. It is no wonder, therefore, that after performing the task the Lord had given him, he became known as a man of enduring faith (cf. Hebrews 11:24-29).

There is nothing but God's grace. We walk upon it; we breathe it; we live and die by it; it makes the nails and axles of the universe, concluded Robert Louis Stevenson. In 'Ruth: A Story of God's Grace, ' Cyril J. Barber trumpets God's grace. Grace leads Elimelech to Moab, brings Naomi back to Bethlehem, guides Ruth to Boaz's field, and directs Boaz to Ruth. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace encircles the Book of Ruth. From the gracious acts of God Ruth's time, the author draws lessons for twentieth-century believers. He fathoms the importance of decision-making, the purpose of suffering, and the power of love. But the author does more than expound truths; he helps the reader understand the Bible text by explaining customs and word meanings. He also intersperses his own translation of Ruth throughout his commentary. Writing for the Bible student rather than the Bible scholar, Barber summarizes the Book of Ruth in a concise introduction, places all technical discussions and notes at the back, and provides two helpful indexes

The book of Judges deals with a people who lost their freedom--not all at once, but gradually. The Israelites were content to let the neighboring inhabitants of Canaan rule over them. Judges clearly describes the reasons for this spiritual, moral, and national decline. It began with compromise. The people's commitment to God's revealed will steadily decreased until it was no longer sufficient for the crises that arose. It was at this time that God placed tremendous responsibility in the hands of a chosen few. Judges, more than any other book of the Bible, illustrates the way the power of God is available to ordinary people to accomplish His purposes. These men and women learned through their experiences that to those who have no might, he increases power (Isaiah 40:29). This should inspire us with confidence, particularly as we read this book in light of the apostle Paul's words: Not that we are competent in ourselves to reckon anything as from ourselves, but our competency is of God . . . in order that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us (2 Corinthians 3:5; 4:7).