Why would children have to pay for the sins of their ancestors?

Why did Moab have to be destroyed?

Why would Egyptians speak Hebrew, the language of Cannan?

The longer I dig into the insightful tools of the new NIV Quest Study Bible, the more excited I get.

I received an email from BibleGateway, inviting me and several other bloggers who are part of the BibleGateway blogger grid to review Zondevan’s new Study Bible.

I read the email, and thought, “Why not?” A study Bible nerd, I could not say no to getting a FREE copy of a study bible that promised to answer many common questions about the texts.

Now, the Quest Study Bible is not a new concept. In 1989 Zondervan and Christianity Today International worked together to develop a bible that would answer challenging questions that arose as people would read Scriptures. Focus groups around the United States evaluated the resources that would eventually be included in this Bible. Users loved it so much and the two publishers continued to update this bible throughout the years. This new edition includes the most updated questions and resources, as well as a copyrighted print that makes reading it very enjoyable and easy.

I received my copy shortly after signing up and could not wait to dig in. I laid it down on my prayer room – the place where I go to read Scriptures and pray every morning.

I take a long time to finish a book in Scriptures because of how I read them. I never just read the Bible. I stop after each chapter and get some of my favorite study tools to explore the text.

I’ve been studying the book of Isaiah again for the past several weeks.

Now, if you have ever studied Isaiah, you know that the writings of the most prominent prophet of the Old Testament contained certain prophecies which were fulfilled during his lifetime, some which came to pass shortly after his death, others in the first coming of Christ, as well as prophecies yet to be fulfilled during the millennium reign of Christ.

It’s a complex book. Mainly because, as much as one can derive strength and peace in prophecies that are timeless for the believer, such as the words of Isaiah 40 and 41, among others, one must understand the historical context in which many of the prophecies were given in order to realize their fulfillment.

I could not have been studying a better book when I started reviewing the Quest Study Bible. As I read through it, this resourceful book has answered certain questions that I’ve never even thought of while studying Isaiah. The study bible brings back history and connects dots as complex commentaries do, however in a much simpler, straightforward manner.

In a nutshell, the NIV Quest Study Bible is a God-sent to the believer who wants to “study to present himself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15) but does not wish to go to seminary to do so.

As you read the text, you will find yourselves asking questions which will naturally be addressed in the margins of this bible, together with applicable explanatory texts at the bottom of the pages.

It’s a must-have and a new favorite for my daily readings.

Practical. Insightful. Easy-to-ready.

Five Stars, indeed!

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Buy it on Amazon: NIV Quest Study Bible