Timothy M Willis

Prayer is a major biblical topic. The Bible teaches readers the nature, purposes, intentions, and practical applications of prayer in diverse circumstances and situations. The Bible presents different expressions of prayer, major examples of prayers, presuppositions of prayer, various types of prayer, God's diverse answers to different prayers in different circumstances, and nonverbal gestures about prayer. This book attempts to deal with difficult issues such as imprecation or curse prayers, address controversial biblical passages and concepts such as Ps 51 or Rom 8:26-27, and emphasize important similar connections between different biblical texts such as 1 Sam 2:1-10; Ps 113:5-9; Luke 1:46-55; 2 Sam 7:18-29; or 1 Chr 17:16-27.

The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation, to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves. Leviticus is one of those OT books that modern readers tend to avoid on the basis of an undeserved reputation alone. Many assume that its laws and instructions especially those concerning animal sacrifices are irrelevant to the religious life of Western readers. This assumption does not take into account the theological principles demonstrated by these teachings and demonstrated in the cultic rituals and affairs of daily life mentioned in the book. Within the narrative arc of the Pentateuch, the laws of Leviticus represent a program for restoring the original created order, an order that has been disrupted by human sin. Leviticus prepares for and presents a world that is to be dominated by life, which is manifested by humans in cultic purity and daily holiness. As such, the book constitutes a challenge and an encouragement to believers of every generation, as they strive to live the life that God originally intended for humanity. "