Charles R. Young

Balm in Gilead

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“"Words like 'jeremiad' and 'balm in Gilead' have entered into common usage, but the book of Jeremiah itself still presents something of a challenge. It is a relatively long book and written in a confused chronological order with considerable repetition. In meeting this challenge Hammond uses a literary device of a supposed find of several letters and a diary of Jeremiah. This device provides a context that brings Jeremiah to life and helps clarify the core value of his prophecies. Hammond's style of writing makes for interesting reading yet incorporates the major points of the text, often as direct quotations from the biblical book. Whether used as a supplement to the study of the book of Jeremiah or as an introduction, this re-working of the life of Jeremiah will help to direct the modern reader to a deeper understanding of the biblical text.”