On a shelf in our office, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible is the large red book that has been used perhaps more than most of the other study tools we own. Both Joe and I like his concise, easy-to-understand writings that help to explain the Scriptures to non-theologians like us.

That’s why, when (as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid) I was asked if I would like to review a copy of the new Matthew Henry Devotional Bible, I jumped at the chance! In exchange for my honest review, I received the devotional Bible at no cost. #BibleGatewayPartner

The majority of the review comes from my husband, Joe, because, well…Christmas preparations! We are in agreement on our assessment of this devotional Bible.

Because you are likely in the midst of your own Christmas preparations (and perhaps looking for a nice gift, which I feel this Bible could be for some of you), I will use bullet points to help you know what we felt to be the pros and cons of the Matthew Henry Devotional Bible, NKJV:

What we liked:

• Hardcover
• The print and format were easy on the eyes
• The preface explanation of the New King James Version was very helpful
• There is a Scripture index to show you what to read each day
• There is a devotional index that points you to a devotional for each day

Our hesitations with fully getting behind this product:

• It is very unclear how to use the devotional element of this “devotional Bible” — there was little to no explanation as to how the daily devotional index and the daily Scripture reading index fit together. In fact, we weren’t certain that they always did
• The Scripture index jumps hither and yon around the Bible, not really taking you through a topic or a book
• The devotional index does the same thing. The days’ readings are not in order, and they are in random locations throughout the Bible

For example, December 11th’s devotional is on page 842 and is on Jeremiah 6:16. December 12th’s devotional is on page 96, and it covers Exodus 33:13. This gives you just a small example of the seeming randomness of the devotional element.

Summary:

The Matthew Henry Devotional Bible is a nice Bible, but the we both felt that the practicality of use for the devotional side of it was too confusing for us. We were, perhaps, looking more for an orderly daily devotional that would take us through the Bible and explain what we were reading either chronologically or in the form of topical studies. We probably wouldn’t give it our full support at this time because of that.

Please note, though, that the price is fair, and the quality is good.

The Matthew Henry Devotional Bible is available through the FaithGateway Store by clicking here