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Nomad: A Short Story of Our Long Journey Home
Alex Duke traces the journey of God’s people through the Bible to show readers how Jesus gives direction, peace, and strength every step of the way—exactly what’s needed to sustain us on our journey home.
Did you ever feel a little bit out of place—like you don’t quite belong? Most of us have, and for good reason. The world we live in is not our true home. Just like our fellow travelers throughout the Bible, we are wandering, trying to find our way home. Once we find Jesus and let him be our guide, we can find the proper path for our long journey home.
Learning to live as a pilgrim in this world will help you to make sense of what’s hard and teach you to depend on Jesus when you are feeling displaced and alone. Through Nomad, you will discover how your individual story has fit into God’s big story all along.
Learn to live as a pilgrim, depending on Jesus through all of life’s ups and downs.Discover how finding your place in God’s story will encourage you when you feel alone and like you don’t belong.Part of the Real World Theology series, helping youth and young adults understand how the Bible speaks to the practical details of life.
Did you ever feel a little bit out of place—like you don’t quite belong? Most of us have, and for good reason. The world we live in is not our true home. Just like our fellow travelers throughout the Bible, we are wandering, trying to find our way home. Once we find Jesus and let him be our guide, we can find the proper path for our long journey home.
Learning to live as a pilgrim in this world will help you to make sense of what’s hard and teach you to depend on Jesus when you are feeling displaced and alone. Through Nomad, you will discover how your individual story has fit into God’s big story all along.
Learn to live as a pilgrim, depending on Jesus through all of life’s ups and downs.Discover how finding your place in God’s story will encourage you when you feel alone and like you don’t belong.Part of the Real World Theology series, helping youth and young adults understand how the Bible speaks to the practical details of life.
112 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 28, 2025
wow, this guy does it again
December 14, 2025
I won this book in a giveaway and enjoyed reading it as part of my morning quiet time. The title reminded me of how, after learning about nomads in our homeschool history curriculum, my sister and I loved to pretend we were nomads! When I opened the book and saw a Tolkien quote from The Lord of the Rings on the epigraph page, I suspected I’d end up liking this book, and I did! It was very well-written; I loved how the author crafted his sentences! I liked how the book traces the theme of looking for home all throughout Scripture.
I think my only complaint is that he referred to Mount Sinai as being in modern-day Egypt, whereas I’m convinced it’s in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Now, you might be wondering why that matters, and I have the Patterns of Evidence documentaries to thank for me having an opinion on the subject. The reason it matters to me is because where you place Mount Sinai has to do with where you place the Red Sea crossing. People who believe Mount Sinai is in Egypt usually place the Red Sea crossing at a shallow border lake in Egypt. I believe the Red Sea crossing took place at the Gulf of Aqaba, in very deep water. The reason this matters to me is because where you place the Red Sea crossing determines what kind of miracle it was. Was it a small miracle at a shallow lake, or a huge miracle of epic proportions at a deep-sea crossing? I believe Scripture shows that it was something very big. Of course, I do believe God does work through natural means and in small, everyday miracles. But I also believe He can–and does–do epic, spectacular miracles.
Anyway, that was just a side note! Overall, I thought this was a great book!
I think my only complaint is that he referred to Mount Sinai as being in modern-day Egypt, whereas I’m convinced it’s in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Now, you might be wondering why that matters, and I have the Patterns of Evidence documentaries to thank for me having an opinion on the subject. The reason it matters to me is because where you place Mount Sinai has to do with where you place the Red Sea crossing. People who believe Mount Sinai is in Egypt usually place the Red Sea crossing at a shallow border lake in Egypt. I believe the Red Sea crossing took place at the Gulf of Aqaba, in very deep water. The reason this matters to me is because where you place the Red Sea crossing determines what kind of miracle it was. Was it a small miracle at a shallow lake, or a huge miracle of epic proportions at a deep-sea crossing? I believe Scripture shows that it was something very big. Of course, I do believe God does work through natural means and in small, everyday miracles. But I also believe He can–and does–do epic, spectacular miracles.
Anyway, that was just a side note! Overall, I thought this was a great book!
November 3, 2025
In Nomad, Alex Duke shares a short story of our long journey home. In ten short chapters, this book tracks the movement of God’s people back toward their home—back to being God’s people in God’s place. It gives an overview of the entire story of Scripture through this epic and exciting lens.
The Garden, the Tabernacle, and the Ark
I was most interested to read how the tabernacle is described as a new Eden. The ark is guarded by cherubim, the golden lampstand looks like a tree, and the priests are like Adam—called to guard, keep, and work the tabernacle. This illuminated God’s Word for me in a way that allowed me to see the line running straight through Scripture.
Equally interesting was how Duke maps out the travels of the ark. It signifies God’s presence, and I was moved to see how God dwelling with His people is such a central theme throughout the Bible. He then takes us to the temple, where we get to feel at home with God.
The Temple, Jesus Christ, and the Church
As we see how sinful kings treat the temple, we also see God’s glory depart and exile on the horizon. Duke draws the comparison to show that God does not abandon His people. Despite our unfaithfulness, He remains faithful.
The book concludes by showing Christ fulfilling the promise of a better temple and a better covenant. There is no distance left to travel, for He Himself is the sacrifice. We then see the church as a temple and a lighthouse—where travelers can come to seek and see God. And we look to Christians, in whom we can see God’s Spirit living.
The One Who Brings Us Home
God will bring heaven to earth, and there will be no more temple—only the Lord and the Lamb. This book is brilliant and beautiful. It will cause you to wonder at our journey in the storyline of Scripture, and it will cause you to worship the One who brings us home.
I received a media copy of Nomad and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
The Garden, the Tabernacle, and the Ark
I was most interested to read how the tabernacle is described as a new Eden. The ark is guarded by cherubim, the golden lampstand looks like a tree, and the priests are like Adam—called to guard, keep, and work the tabernacle. This illuminated God’s Word for me in a way that allowed me to see the line running straight through Scripture.
Equally interesting was how Duke maps out the travels of the ark. It signifies God’s presence, and I was moved to see how God dwelling with His people is such a central theme throughout the Bible. He then takes us to the temple, where we get to feel at home with God.
The Temple, Jesus Christ, and the Church
As we see how sinful kings treat the temple, we also see God’s glory depart and exile on the horizon. Duke draws the comparison to show that God does not abandon His people. Despite our unfaithfulness, He remains faithful.
The book concludes by showing Christ fulfilling the promise of a better temple and a better covenant. There is no distance left to travel, for He Himself is the sacrifice. We then see the church as a temple and a lighthouse—where travelers can come to seek and see God. And we look to Christians, in whom we can see God’s Spirit living.
The One Who Brings Us Home
God will bring heaven to earth, and there will be no more temple—only the Lord and the Lamb. This book is brilliant and beautiful. It will cause you to wonder at our journey in the storyline of Scripture, and it will cause you to worship the One who brings us home.
I received a media copy of Nomad and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews