Book excerpt: "Ezra and Nehemiah address issues that make the front pages of our newspapers - and they speak to the yearnings of our hearts". This is why the author of this volume, Dr. Mark Roberts enthusiastically encourages Christian communicators to explore these somewhat obscure Old Testament texts. For much the same reason the author believes modern pastors and Bible students can benefit from careful study in the often-maligned book of Esther. He emphasizes the book's contemporary relevance, stating, "Esther encourages us to grapple with pressing moral issues in light of God's wisdom". As a pastor with a passion for communicating God's truths to young people and to the unchurched in our world, Dr. Roberts shares his personal success in using the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther to address contemporary needs. Not only is this commentary well-written and carefully researched, but, as an added plus, Dr. Roberts' deep faith and his dynamic relationship with Christ shine through every page. As Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie says in the editor's preface, the author of this fine volume "is vulnerable, open and honest about how the Scriptures he explains have impacted his own life". Marked by the excellence you have come to expect in the Communicator's Commentary series, this latest volume wrestles with difficult questions, such as the rightful place of Esther in the canon and the puzzling roles of Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel; provides a wide range of quotations and anecdotes from modern and classical sources to help us communicate God's message today; and offers balance of exegetical, historical, and literary analysis along with penetrating applications of the truths reflected in these texts. "As communicators",Dr. Ogilvie says, "we all long for those magnificent moments in our preparation when we are gripped with an inspired insight into a passage of Scripture that prompts us to exclaim, 'that will preach!' We are filled with excitement and enthusiasm to share what we've discovered. This is exactly what will happen as you study this commentary. It is power-packed and brimming over with new insight into familiar passages".