Moses: In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet

by Adam Hamilton

Retrace the life of Moses from his modest birth and rescue as a baby to the courts of Pharaoh, from herding flocks in Midian to leading his people out of Egypt.

Join Adam Hamilton as he travels from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, the Nile, the Red Sea and the wilderness exploring the sites of Moses' life. Using historical information, archaeological data, and biblical text, Hamilton guides us in the footsteps of this reluctant prophet who grew in his relationship with God and by the end of life had successfully fulfilled the role he was given.

Turn your own reluctance into boldness as you examine the significant challenges facing Moses and how God shaped his character and life in powerful ways.

Additional components for a six-week study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and a DVD featuring author and pastor Adam Hamilton. For a church-wide study, youth and children resources are also available.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian, Church, Spirituality, Old Testament

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2017

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author started by explaining different views on the accuracy of the Exodus account and the dating of the events. He stated there and on page 92, "I believe the Exodus was written as Israel's epic story....the story was rooted in historical events that took place leading up to the release of the Israelite slaves, but there was license in how the story was interpreted and told....it would be 'based on actual events' rather than a documentary....this or that detail might have been added by the storyteller to heighten the tension...or to make a point. But the arc of the story occurred broadly as described."

So he suggested that the 10 plagues started with a red algae bloom in the Nile that naturally lead to the next plagues until an insect-spread disease killed the animals and humans. He suggested these plagues may not have been a supernatural judgement. He also suggested that the religious rituals that Moses experienced as an Egyptian prince heavily influenced the furnishings and offerings of the Tent of Meeting (which would mean they didn't come from God).

I hold a conservative view of the dating of these events and believe Exodus is an accurate historical record, so I didn't get much out of this book. Anyway, the author described various events in Exodus. He inserted commentary or suggested lessons we can learn, like civil disobedience is okay if you're saving lives (based on the midwives) or that bullying is bad (from the author's speculation that Moses was bullied due to his name). The author also talked about his trip to Egypt and included some black and white pictures. He visited the pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery, Tanis, Lake Timsah, the Dead Sea, and Mt. Nebo. Some of these spots might have been places Moses walked. The author simply visited places he wanted to see and those which had been set up as visitor sites.

I received this free book as a review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great study from Adam Hamilton. I really like his books and how he can take the Bible scriptures & stories and explain them in an easy-to-understand way. Then he always explains how these scriptures & stories apply to us today. For this book in particular, the accompanying dvd really enhances the study as you get to see Adam literally walk in the places Moses lived and bring Moses' story to life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my Episcopal church's book group. The travelogue narrative and the archaeological information about the leading figures, places and structures in the Exodus story make a nice counterpoint to the theological discussions, and make the work an engaging and informative read. While Hamilton has an easy style, this book drew me in much more than "Creed," which lacks a secondary "color story". I wish, however, that Abingdon Press has sprigged for larger, more detailed photos of the many ancient sites Hamilton visited in writing this book (they inserted the very same map of Egypt, Sinai and the Holy Land three or 4 times in this book, for goodness' sake), because the 2.5 x 4 inch, dim, low-res black-and-whites don't do justice to the locations or to Hamilton's vivid descriptions of them. With 25 pages of notes and other filler at the back of the book, there is space in the volume. Hamilton is prolific, so Abingdon didn't have to scrimp—there should be little doubt that his books are going to make money for them.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"God is not finished with us because we're in the wilderness; in fact, God is often most profoundly at work in us during the wilderness seasons of our lives. In the case of Moses, those forty years were preparing him for the most important part of his story." -pg 54

"At times all of us wrestle with fear - of failure, of success, of other, of being poor, of growing old, and a thousand other fears. And our fear, when we give in to it, keeps us living in the wilderness, just a few miles outside the Promised Land.

It's not that there aren't legitimate things to fear... But God was with the Israelites. And the God who parted the Reed Sea and raised Jesus Christ from the dead is also with us! That means that no matter how tall the giants may be, if God is with us we can move forward, and somehow, some way, he will lead us to the 'Promised Land.'"

[Joanne Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book was trying to do too much and, because of this, never getting much below the surface. It's a pretty good introduction to Moses' story for those not already familiar with it. It has some interesting information on the geography and archaeology involved. But a lot of it was devoted to teaching life lessons from it, illustrating them with present day topics and personal experiences. Since it's a very short book to begin with, that left very little of what I had hoped to find in it--insights about Moses that I hadn't yet gained from my own research.

[Kayla E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, interesting book that uses travel descriptions, historical and archaeological information, anecdotes, and scripture to bridge the story of Moses to present day living.

The author, a preacher himself, uses the story of Moses’ life in this book to pose questions and prompt readers to reflect on God’s will for our lives. He also includes a section in the back of the book, following his endnotes, for further reading.

A must read nonfiction book for those interested in Moses and how his story relates to the story of Jesus as well as our current world!

[WillyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid read, following the journey of Moses and the exodus. There’s definitely some slower more historical pieces that at times can be a little slower or tougher to read, however overall this is a great book to dive deeper into Moses story during the exodus and to see how the story of Moses is still applicable to our daily lives. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to study Moses more.

[Hunter Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought the book was actually very intriguing. The book went through the life and traces of Moses life in Egypt and his path to Christ. the narrative is really cool, and showing the parts where he was in modern day was also cool. I think Adam Hamilton did a fantastic job on this book and its story telling of the scriptures of Christ

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book on the life of Moses. The author intersperses the biblical story with what he saw when he visited the sites described within the pages of Scripture. This provides a unique perspective on the world Moses experienced and what remains to this day. I used it as a resource for a series I have been teaching on the life of Moses. This is a really interesting and enjoyable read.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our adult Bible study group always enjoys Adam Hamilton’s books, and Moses: In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet was one of our favorites. Hamilton explains how the Biblical story of Moses relates to the Egyptian culture at that time. His accompanying video, filmed on location in Egypt, enriched our discussions.

[George Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid effort from Adam Hamilton. I need to stop being surprised that the geography of the story matters so much to understanding the story. An easy read, a good congregational study, good insights throughout.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I love Hamilton's books. They are always well researched and thought out while also being accessible and easy to read. They are inspiring and thought provoking. This was no different. If you want to know more about Moses, this is a good place to start .

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only gives the Biblical story but interjects pictures, archaeology and culture of Egypt at the time Moses lives. It includes travel information about the actual places Moses traveled.

[Jtp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, Hamilton does not disappoint....many important insights into leadership and vision, whether they be Christian or otherwise....in simiar fashion to other of his works, at times this one felt like a travelogue....I didn't find that helpful but others in my bookgroup did....

[Lynda Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good study of the greatest prophet And leader of the Israelites. This was a Bible study for our group and led to good discussion. Adam Hamilton used a travelogue of his trip to Egypt and Jordan to illustrate the challenges faced by the nation he led out of slavery.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview of the life of Moses. There were many details that I had not known or paid attention to in the scripture passages. It is worth watching the DVD that accompanies the book to get a clearer sense of the landscape.

[Delynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Sunday School class recently read this book and watched the corresponding DVD. I really learned much from this book and the DVD was fun to watch as it takes Hamilton to Egypt possibly where Moses was. I would highly recommend this book and study!!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous new release from Adam Hamilton - we are planning on using this next month for a study in my Sunday School class - it will be fabulous - can't wait to see the video prepared for this study!

[Suzanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study book. Associated video repeated what was in book. Promoted good discussion.

[Timothy Boutelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned alot

Read this book for bible study at our church. I think that I have learned more in this group than all of my childhood at the Catholic church

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Mr Hamilton and I differ in our philosophy, this has some good information that I hadn't thought of. I enjoyed how he related Moses to things that happened in the new testament also.

[Tana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pastor of my church did a sermon series for lent using this book with the last chapter on Palm Sunday (tomorrow). I got the book and read along.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening video/book series led by Tom Reushling at FUMC.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief short study of Moses leading the people of Israel to the edge of the promised land.

[Beez Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always see the Bible in a new way through Adams eyes and writings. I have a newfound appreciation for Moses after reading this book

[Colleen Zematis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much reading this

Easy read with so many pieces if Moses life and Exodus I never knew. Really filled in blanks. Love learning more history and clarifying stories

[Martha Bass · Rating 3 out of 5]

4th Bible study book

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tour of the lands was interesting. The study itself was a weak.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even after having attended classes about the Tanakh this easy to read book showed me new perspectives and provocative questions.

If only Bruggenheim had been this easy to read.

[Kym McNabney]

The more books I read by ADAM HAMILTON, the more I want to read by ADAM HAMILTON. MOSES: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE RELUCTANT PROPHET (MOSES SERIES) is yet another great read. I have read several other books by MR HAMILTON, about different characters in the Bible. I highly recommend reading them all. Aside from being a great writer, they may be small in page numbers, but they are might in information, pace, and intrigue.

From Amazon:
Retrace the life of Moses from his modest birth and rescue as a baby to the courts of Pharaoh, from herding flocks in Midian to leading his people out of Egypt.

Join Adam Hamilton as he travels from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, the Nile, the Red Sea and the wilderness exploring the sites of Moses' life. Using historical information, archaeological data, and biblical text, Hamilton guides us in the footsteps of this reluctant prophet who grew in his relationship with God and by the end of life had successfully fulfilled the role he was given.
Turn your own reluctance into boldness as you examine the significant challenges facing Moses and how God shaped his character and life in powerful ways.

Additional components for a six-week study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and a DVD featuring author and pastor Adam Hamilton. For a church-wide study, youth and children resources are also available.