The Crook in the Lot

The Sovereignty and Wisdom of God, in the Afflictions of Men Displayed

Weight 0.19 kg
Dimensions 18.1 × 12.1 × 1.1 cm
ISBN 9781848717589
Binding

Paperback, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Paperback & eBook (ePub & Kindle)

format

Book

page-count

168

isbn

9781848717589

Original Pub Date

1841

Banner Pub Date

Apr 7, 2017

This Edition

2017

Book Description

Thomas Boston (1676-1732) was a remarkable Scottish theologian and pastor. His Works run to 12 volumes and contain some lengthy theological treatises. But Boston also wrote brief, very accessible, and pastoral books, and chief among these is the quaintly titled, The Crook in the Lot: The Sovereignty and Wisdom of God, in the Afflictions of Men Displayed. This little book is a pastoral masterpiece, in which Boston reflects on the words of Ecclesiastes 7:13, ‘Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked?’

By ‘lot’, Boston means our ‘lot in life’, the shape of our lives as they are styled by God’s many providences. By ‘crook’, he means those unforeseen troubles that afflict, unsettle, or disturb us in any way. Boston sets out to minister pastoral wisdom and help to God’s people experiencing what Paul calls ‘the sufferings of this present time’ (Rom. 8:18).

The Crook in the Lot is pastoral medicine prepared in the laboratory of Boston’s own personal and ministerial sufferings. It is little wonder that Jonathan Edwards considered Boston ‘a truly great divine’. He was indeed!

From The Foreword by Ian Hamilton

Table of Contents Expand ↓

Foreword by Ian Hamilton vii
Brief Biography of Thomas Boston xiii
The Sovereignty and Wisdom of God in the Afflictions of Men Displayed 1
An Exposition of Proverbs 16:19 65
An Exposition of 1 Peter 5:6 87

4 testimonials for The Crook in the Lot

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  1. Mike Myers

    Over ten years ago, the sudden death of a young friend turned my world completely upside-down. A few weeks later, a dear friend of mine placed Thomas Boston’s “The Crook in the Lot” into my hands. As I read the Spirit was pleased to bring me through something of a personal Copernican revolution. The immense truth and implications of the sovereignty of God in suffering both tore and mended my heart. To this day I point to this work as the one book outside of the Scriptures that has most powerfully influenced my life. Not only on that basis do I commend it to all; I especially hope that your study of its contents might lead you to greater love and trust in the God who makes crooked and makes straight, according to his good pleasure.

  2. Robert Norman

    One of the best books about suffering and the providence of God on the market. This book is simply wonderful and concludes by considering the place of humility in suffering. This is wonderful.

    Please, Banner of Truth, give sincere consideration to republishing Boston’s complete works.

  3. Michael J. Iliff

    As far as I’m concerned this is the very best book on suffering you could possibly buy. Certainly the best one I have read. Both my wife and I read this before she was terminally ill with cancer. Reading this book was the preparation we both needed. It didn’t make caring, or dying, a ‘walk in the park’ but the realisation that the Lord is sovereign made an immense difference. We live in a world where the assumption is that things will get better. Boston addresses the reality that things don’t always get better.
    I’m so pleased the Banner have published this.
    Required reading, I think, for ministers.

  4. Hope T

    Second only to the Bible itself this book has changed my life. It took me through abuse, the loss of children, a complete loss of a house to a fire, and then the most difficult thing I ever faced, the sudden, unexpected home-going of my beloved husband when I still had five young children to raise.
    Here’s the thing: This book made these difficult things not only bearable, but beautiful. You will walk away from this book saying, “Okay, Father, whatever You want, I am willing.”
    I buy this book in bulk and give it away to anyone who is going through a difficult time. I have had countless people tell me it changed their lives.

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