Patriarchs and Prophets

by Ellen Gould White

Patriarchs and Prophets is the first volume in the Conflict of the Ages series. It covers the sweeping panorama of human history from the creation of Earth to the reign of Israel’s King David. With unusual insights, the author describes the role of our planet in the cosmic conflict between right and wrong, truth and error. She describes the tragic rebellion that took place in heaven many thousands of years ago and makes plain that this ongoing conflict between Satan and God affects each person who lives on Earth. Patriarchs and Prophets shows how this conflict worked itself out in the lives of men and women in Old Testament times. It answers such questions as, Where did we come from? Where are we going? If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He prevent the spread of evil and its tragic results?

Genres: Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity, History, Classics

748 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1890

About the author

In brief, Ellen Gould Harmon White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's second advent. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others. Thus her special writings are accepted by Seventh-day Adventists as inspired, and their exceptional quality is recognized even by casual readers. As stated in Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , “The writings of Ellen White are not a substitute for Scripture. They cannot be placed on the same level. The Holy Scriptures stand alone, the unique standard by which her and all other writings must be judged and to which they must be subject” (Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Washington D.C., 1988, p. 227). Yet, as Ellen White herself noted, “The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings” (The Great Controversy, p. vii). The following is a more detailed account of the life and work of this remarkable woman who, meeting all the tests of a true prophet as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, helped found the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patriarchs and Prophets is volume one of a five volume Conflict of Ages series. It covers Biblical history from Creation to the reign of King David. Ellen G. White's insight about the rebellion in Heaven and why evil is permitted to exist is astute. The sagacious writings of Biblical history penetrate the mind and uplifts the soul. It is a book I'd recommend to readers who want an in-depth study of Old Testament times up to King David's reign.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does a Christian explain the actions of the God of the Old Testament to an unbeliever or answer questions of their own when comparing God in the Old and New Testaments? In Patriarchs and Prophets, Ellen G. White gives an insightful commentary of events from the fall of Lucifer in Heaven through to the end of David’s reign over Israel. Over the course of 800 pages, she shows how throughout the ages that a conflict between right and wrong, truth and error has been played out through the lives of those individuals in the Old Testament.

From the start, White answers why God permitted evil to exist in the first place and then proceeded to show how sin separated man from God with the resulting evils that followed. Throughout the book, White shows that every major Biblical individual has sinned and the terrible consequences that have resulted not only immediately but over the course of years, if not centuries and millennia. Also the actions of the nation of Israel as a whole are painfully shown throughout as falling short of their covenant with God made at Sinai.

However, not every Biblical story is written on over the course of time covered in this book was touched upon. The stories of many of the judges and of Job were either not touched up or just mentioned, not because they were not important but because of White’s framework of giving a clear picture to the conflict between God and Satan from its beginnings in Heaven to its finish before the Creation of the New Earth.

Patriarchs and Prophets is the first in the five-book Conflict of the Ages series, written by Ellen White. After reading it you’ll have a clearer understanding of why God allowed evil to exit and of His actions throughout the early Old Testament. Yet, after finishing this book the whole story isn’t complete and I hope you’ll feel the need to read what happens next.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is really difficult to summarize the amazing book of Patriarchs and Prophets in a concise manner. This book is part of Conflict of the Ages Series, Vol. 1. It's basically about what the title entails-the promises that God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and how He decided He would bless them and their descendants if they obeyed and remained loyal to Him. It covers everything from the Creation, to the last years of King David and everything you can possibly imagine in between!

This book is very near and dear to my heart for several reasons. First, it brought me further in my relationship with God. Second, it explained several concepts to me that I wouldn't have otherwise known, and third, it tells of the wonderful things the Lord can do through His servants if they submit to Him.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is willing to put some effort into reading Ellen G. White's works, but wants a deeper knowledge of God's Word and how things came to be. Patriarchs and Prophets is one of those books that if your really take your time to read it, you will find yourself more blessed than if you rushed through it, for the sake of simply reading a challenging book.

[Alan Calvillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siguiendo con mi travesía lectora interanual de lo que, denominacionalmente, llamamos «Espíritu de Profecía»; este fue el tabique que más reto representaba. Entiendo que es el más voluminoso de la serie y podría decir que de los más densos dada la época bíblica que desarrolla, esa época que parece oscura y sin sentido, que transmite un halo de intolerancia, violencia e injusticias.

Creo que es un buen punto de referencia para quienes encontramos demasiados huecos difíciles de entender en la lógica narrativa del Antiguo Testamento y deseamos buscar una respuesta a ciertas historias. Los temas van desde la Creación hasta los últimos días del rey David, es decir, desde el Génesis hasta los primeros capítulos del primer libro de Reyes.

Sigo teniendo muchos problemas con la forma de escribir de la autora, además de algunas de sus interpretaciones de temas conflictivos. Me gustaría que no existiera este cerco de presunta infalibilidad que se le adjudica comúnmente y poder dialogarlo con apertura y pasividad. Al final, esta imposibilidad de poder poner en tela de juicio las tésis planteadas no provocan más que olvido y poca capacidad de interiorización.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. She continues to fill in aspects of the stories from the bible with insight and meaning as well as making it relevant for today.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Ellen White's 5-volume "Conflict of the Ages" series (which concludes with the famous book "The Great Controversy"). I am endeavouring to reading the whole series over the course of this year.

For anyone who wants to become familiar with the Bible, this is a good place to get the low-down on the OT Bible stories in their chronology. Ellen White does a running commentary along with the telling of the various stories from Genesis through King David's reign. Like the reading of all "classic" works, it required some discipline to keep at it from time to time. I do feel that I learned a lot, and was also given opportunities to see some Scripture from a different perspective than I had before. I am also newly impressed with EGW's amazing scholarly sweep.

[Roger Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is basically a recap of the Bible up to the part about King David and as such it is mildly entertaining in the same sense that a fantasy novel is entertaining, but the problem is that it is clear that the reader is actually expected to believe these stories as the literal truth and so as a reader of this book I find my intelligence insulted and that is offensive.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're a current or former Seventh-day Adventist, you've definitely heard of Ellen White. Her influence in helping shape the Adventist Church was immense. And devout Adventists quote her often--for good or for ill. The Conflict of the Ages series is her foray into biblical history and commentary.

Some of the commentary is quite good, while other troubling parts of the Bible are skipped over completely. Not surprising, but very disappointing. I was really hoping for commentary on Deborah's judgeship, for example.

I should also add that part of my baggage with Patriarchs and Prophets comes from hearing people talk about how much they loooooove reading White. Some might call me sacriligious, but I do not feel this way after reading the first book in the series. There are several reasons that have more to do with style and presentation of content than the actual content itself. I found it informative, but not as much as I was expecting. 2.5 stars.

[Yeshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the book Jacket:

Ellen Gould White (née Harmon; November 26, 1827 – July 16, 1915) was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. Along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, she formed what became known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Smithsonian magazine named Ellen G. White among 100 Most Significant Americans in an acknowledgement of her influence on religion.


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the conflict of the ages series


This explains in detail the SDA understanding of the conflict between God and Satan and their understanding of the Bible and much of world history. She wrote the books based on her research of other authors and special information which she claimed to receive through visions from God. The books thus include unique insights and concepts not found in other works of the time.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our weekly Bible study group is doing an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter study of the books of Genesis and Exodus, and "Patriarchs and Prophets" is a nice (optional) compliment to the study. The theme of the book is the great controversy of good verses evil, the Lord/God/Creator verses the fallen angel/Satan/Lucifer. It pays careful attention to the character of God, His love for fallen humanity in spite of their constant failings, and the ultimate plan to redeem them from sin.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. One thing I really like is that it clears up many misconceptions people have towards the character of God (many look at Him in the Old Testament as a harsh judge who loves punishing the wicked -- this book proves otherwise)

I could go on about the great things in this book, but it's best you read it for yourself.

[Evelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an inspiring book. It gives such depth to the stories we know so well, and insight that only could have been given by God. It's a Bible study in and of itself.

And now, onto the next book: Prophets and Kings!

[Jerry Mahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again working my way through the Conflict of the Ages series in my devotional reading. This book, which goes from before creation through the life of David, looks at the great themes of Scripture, such as creation and covenants, particularly covenants with Abraham and his ancestors.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is powerful. Such life lessons to be found in its pages. Was continually amazed at how fickle God's people were...yet how willing God was to forgive and restore whenever they truly repented.

[Eva Seyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read all the way through. Lots of things to provoke me to deeper thought. Thoroughly enjoyed, again.

[Marc Rasell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows how sin and evil originated. It is a powerful book tracing the lives of the Patriarchs.

[Rikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God for this book! I would never have understood the first part of the Bible without it. Everyone should read this!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book on the events in the Old Testament up to the end of David's reign. I gain new insight in the biblical stories every time I read this book.

[Robert A. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study guide to the first several books of the Bible. She is truly a God-inspired writer.

[Jason Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, like all of Mrs. White's books, is a great commentary on the Bible.

[Dan Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the Old Testament can be hard to understand. But everyone loves stories! This book helps explain the meaning of the stories and the life lessons to learn from them. It is an excellent devotional book, and every time I read it I learn more insights. I will try to be grateful and not complain like the children of Israel! I will try to be patient like David, and not take by force what I believe to be mine. Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptation! A life of sin is always one of loss.

[Hawai Kuvai · Rating 4 out of 5]

There probably isn't anybody around who hasn't wondered now and then where things came from. how did the universe begin? How did the world get here? Where and how did human beings get started? This book apart from Bible, is about the beginning of things. in fascinating, easy-to-understand language, it describes exactly how the planet Earth-and the people who live on it- began

[Sydney Machokoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful explanation of events of the Old Testament with an idea to shed more light more on the issue of Good and Evil. The author treats the events of the Pentateuch as real events with a significant historical impact. The style is very smooth to read and a good amount of scripture is utilized in the explanations.

[Vuyani]

Traces the root of life and what has influenced our current state. It is a well written and intruiging, readable commentary of Biblical record from Genesis to Kings. It really promotes one to go and read the Bible with broader insight.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book cover to cover, i must say that this has become one of my favourite books. It has already been three weeks since i finished and I am already making progress on the next book, Prophets and Kings. Every Christian should read this book!

[Tamara Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was always a goal of mine to read through the 5 main Spirit of Prophecy books. I've finally completed the first, and am on to the second. I used this as a companion to my bible study, with great success.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the title for the book isn't right. It should be changed to A Holy God or God Is Holy. Something like that. Because this book really opens your eyes to how Holy God is and how we as people are blinded to our own sin. It's a really good book and I would tell all my friends to read it. :)

[Reby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! It is like a history manual.It lead you through to better and fully understand Bible history and you read along. Is better to read it with the Bible so you can understand better what happened in the Old Testament.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have started this book a couple times but plan to finish it this time. Extremely good, makes the Bible even better.

[Andresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livro quase integralmente didático. Adorei cada detalhe, principalmente o apêndice com questões extremamente atuais e pertinentes.