Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Time and History in the Old Testament

The theme of this book ? the Old Testament's understanding of time and history ? is one of the most important in biblical studies. Not only is the Hebrew awareness of time and history distinct from that of other ancient Near Eastern peoples, but it is also foundational to theological reflection on the nature and meaning of God's ongoing work in the world. / As author Simon J. De Vries writes: ?Biblical revelation is a historical revelation, the product of an unfolding of transcendent truth in the lives and minds of persons living over many centuries of time, experiencing drastic changes in their physical and spiritual circumstances. Itself produced by history, the Bible wrestles with the puzzle of history and temporal events. All who aspire, therefore, to take adequate account of the biblical tradition within the thought of the church and synagogue, and also the influence of the Jewish and Christian heritage in Western culture as a whole, will acknowledge that crucial issues are at stake.? / Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow offers an exhaustive survey of the rich Old Testament materials that bear directly on the meaning of time and history. Carefully and comprehensively canvassing the scriptures, De Vries explores the use and function of expressions containing the Hebrew word for ?day? (?the day past,? ?the day present,? ?the day future,? and so on), and he builds from his exegetical findings a profound theological statement on God's program ? past, present, and future. / Old Testament students will find here a wealth of exegetical material, and students of biblical theology will see this volume shedding fresh light on pressing interpretive concerns, especially the nature of Old Testament eschatology.