Review of Man Overboard

by Sinclair Ferguson. Banner
of Truth Trust, 2008.
Reviewed by Rev. Howard Sloan

I recently picked up this book as a resource for a series of messages on Jonah. I was delighted by what I found in this new edition of an old treasure. This book was first published in 1981 with Banner of Truth releasing a new edition this year. One change from the original is the use of the English Standard Version. At the beginning each chapter, Ferguson quotes the entire chapter of Jonah with which he is dealing.

An important thing to know is that this is not a commentary. This is more a series of related articles working through Jonah. Ferguson does not offer commentary on each verse. In fact each chapter of Jonah is treated in two or three chapters by Ferguson, each from a different perspective.

"Man Overboard!" is not overly technical. However, he does draw out some grammatical and linguistic themes that reappear through the prophet. What Ferguson does well is to make us see how the lessons and themes of Jonah bear on our modern life as individuals and as the church. Here is just one example:

“If there is a special danger for professing Christians
today, it must certainly be indifference to and
ignorance of the true nature of the human heart! How
easily outward behavior and established patterns
of belief can hide from us the true need we have for
a new heart which beats in time with the heart of
God! We should never be deceived into thinking
that outward conformity to group norms, professions
of conversion, or intellectual assent to orthodox
doctrines are the same thing as a true heart knowledge
of God.” (p. 87)

Overall, I think this is a great read and a valuable resource for anyone who is working through Jonah.

This review can also be found in the August 2008 Reformation Voice