Applying Norman Gottwald's thesis on Israel's origins, Ceresko argues that Israel was formed through a process of social revolution, inspired by the memory of runaway slaves and their worship of a God whose cult mandated radical social equality and justice. The subsequent history is viewed in terms of the people's faithfulness to this covenant, expressed not only in worship but in the practice of justice and mercy.
New in This Edition
The entire text has been revised to include the results of recent research. Chapters 4, 9, and 10 have been extensively reworked. Chapter 24 on the Wisdom Writings has been substantially expanded, including a discussion of the two deutero-canonical works, Sirach and the Book of Wisdom. The bibliography has also been brought completely up to date including much new material published in the last ten years. Finally, new illustrations, maps, and graphs have been added while many of the previous illustrations have been visually improved.
