Kevin S. Chen - The Messianic Vision of the Pentateuch

Although written without assuming all readers would notice, this book is an attempt to continue and extend the work of John H. Sailhamer. Thankfully, such a task falls not to one person or one book but to all who were influenced by him, especially those of us who are so privileged to be teaching or writing. Many of his former students have become fine teacher-scholars and are quite accomplished, even more so than I am. I am grateful to have studied with some of them and to have them as friends and conversation partners. As just one voice in a broader conversation, I consider it a tremendous honor that IVP Academic, which published Sailhamers magnum opus ten years ago (The Meaning of the Pentateuch, 2009), has seen fit to publish a follow-up book written by someone still relatively early in his career (Lord willing). Part of the impetus for this book is that Sailhamers two major works on the Pentateuch (the other being The Pentateuch as Narrative), while certainly emphasizing the centrality of the Messiah in the Pentateuch, necessarily also deal with other issues at length, especially the Sinai/Deuteronomic law. I felt that it would be helpful to produce a work that almost exclusively focuses on the Messiah in the Pentateuch and gives more extensive treatment of the Pentateuchs Messianic texts, including several that have not commonly been understood as such.

Familiarity with Sailhamers work is not required to understand this book, but those who are familiar with it will quickly recognize that this book follows the general path that he trod, especially with respect to methodology and overall interpretation of the Pentateuch based on its structure and key poetic texts. At the same time, careful comparison would reveal that this book differs exegetically from his views at some key points (e.g., Gen 3:15) and goes significantly further at others (e.g., Gen 27:27-29; 49:8-12). As such, I do not expect that Sailhamer would have agreed with some of my conclusions. Of course, if it were my goal to follow him at every point, then this book would be unnecessary. That I have followed him at key places shows that I have often found his arguments convincing. At the same time, I have discovered other things in the Pentateuch that I believe fill out its Messianic vision even further. Sailhamer himself once remarked to me that he believed there was still much to be discovered in the Pentateuch. I hope I have discovered some of those things. Until that day when its Messianic vision is fully realized and the work of every person is tested by fire (1 Cor 3:13), it will be up to each reader to decide the extent to which I have faithfully set forth the Messianic vision of the Pentateuch.

I would like to thank my former institution, Union University, for providing a semester-long sabbatical leave in 2017, during which I completed the first draft of the manuscript. My colleagues there in the School of Theology and Missions (and formerly Christian Studies), some of whom have moved on to other pursuits, have been a great encouragement. The collegial environment and its wonderful balance of Christian fellowship, excellent teaching, and quality scholarship have been formative during the past nine years. Southeastern Seminary was gracious to host me for two months of my sabbatical and allow me the full use of their library, which resulted in a highly productive time. Although he is no longer with us, my late doctoral adviser, Dr. John H. Sailhamer, deserves acknowledgment for the way his example, teaching, scholarship, and encouragement have shaped me. I would like to thank Jon Boyd and his team at IVP Academic for believing in this book and in me. Thank you to my parents for their constant encouragement. My brother Chris Chen and my friend Seth Postell have provided helpful feedback on portions of earlier versions of this book. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Joyce, for her constant support, and I lovingly dedicate this book to her. I hope you find the Messianic vision of the Pentateuch as captivating as I do.