And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people . . . they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading—Nehemiah 8:5, 8 (NKJV)
Although this momentous renewal of interest in Scripture occurred over 2,400 years ago (c. 445 B.C.), this has been the primary need of every subsequent generation, i.e., to read and understand—for the purpose of obedience—the Bible and to thereby know the blessing of God (Rev. 1:3). Therefore, I have undertaken, with the encouragement of Wayne Kinde at Thomas Nelson and the editorial partnership of Dr. Richard Mayhue, executive vice president of The Master’s College and Seminary, to create a one-volume commentary which will meet this spiritual need in the twenty-first century.
The core around which this one-volume commentary has been arranged is the original notes of The MacArthur Study Bible published in 1997. Since then, (1) those notes have been thoroughly reviewed for accuracy and clarity, with appropriate revisions and corrections. (2) The outline for each book (located with the Introduction) has been integrated into the commentary. (3) A Further Study section has been added at the end of the commentary for each book which contains a bibliography of several other commentaries which can be consulted to expand on one’s studies. (4) Most significantly, over 300 new maps, charts, diagrams, and word studies have been added to the over 350 found in the original MacArthur Study Bible for a total of almost 700 study/teaching aids, in addition to the commentary material.
This one-volume commentary on the whole Bible is in itself a minilibrary which will be especially advantageous to those with financial and/or space limitations. To greatly expand the value of this commentary, one’s studies can be vastly enhanced with the additional use of The MacArthur Topical Bible.
Everyone from new believers to pastors can benefit from this study tool. Its purpose and design are to make the precious truths of Scripture understandable and consequently obeyed by the people of God. May God’s promise to Joshua over 3,400 years ago be just as real today because you have used this volume to know, understand, and obey the Word of God.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success
—Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)