I savored this book. I loved the very first quote listed even before the first chapter officially began. That and the staying power of the rest of this book earns Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places by Chuck DeGroat a place on my 5-Star Reads list.
In my Christian walk, I’ve definitely had “wilderness” times — times that I felt far from God, or when trying circumstances left me feeling lonely or confused. Though I wasn’t in the midst of one when I ordered this book for review, every page still spoke to me.
It has taken me a while to read this book, which is usually a criticism in other types of reading, like novels and memoir. After all — if I love it, I shouldn’t be able to put it down, right?? With this type of book, the opposite is true. When I’m reading Christian nonfiction that is so rich with facts and application, I like to read only a few sections at a time so that I can fully absorb it.
DeGroat balances scripture and historical context with stories of real-life people, mostly culled from his work as a Christian counselor, as he compares our lives to that of the Israelites:
- Part 1 Egypt: Facing Our Fear
- Part 2 Sinai: Receiving Our New Identity
- Part 3 Wilderness: Entering the Furnace of Transformation
- Part 4 Home: Experiencing New Identity and Mission
There are also questions at the end of each chapter, great for making personal application or discussing with a friend or small group.
Highly, highly recommended — definitely if you are in a wilderness season — but even if you aren’t.
Sounds awesome! I shall look for it. I think it’s great that you took the time to savor it.