Not Knowing Where: A Spiritual Journey Through the Book of Genesis

by Oswald Chambers

This spiritual journey through the book of Genesis explores "outstanding examples of the walk of faith in this world of men."

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Devotional

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Oswald Chambers was born to devout parents in Aberdeen, Scotland. At age 16, Oswald Chambers was baptized and became a member of Rye Lane Baptist Chapel. Even as a teenager, Chambers was noted for his deep spirituality, and he participated in the evangelization of poor occupants of local lodging houses. Oswald married Gertrude in May 1910, and on May 24, 1913, Gertrude gave birth to their only child, Kathleen. In 1915, a year after the outbreak of World War I, Chambers was accepted as a YMCA chaplain. He was assigned to Zeitoun, Cairo, Egypt, where he ministered to Australian and New Zealand troops, who later participated in the Battle of Gallipoli. Soon his wooden-framed "hut" was packed with hundreds of soldiers listening attentively to his messages. Confronted by a soldier who said, "I can't stand religious people," Chambers replied, "Neither can I." Chambers was stricken with appendicitis on October 17, 1917 but resisted going to a hospital on the grounds that the beds would be needed by men wounded in the long-expected Third Battle of Gaza. On October 29th, a surgeon performed an emergency appendectomy, but Chambers died November 15, 1917 from a hemorrhage of the lungs. He was buried in Cairo with full military honors. Gertrude, for the remainder of her life published books and articles for him edited from the notes she had taken in shorthand from his sermons. Most successful of the thirty books was, "My Utmost for His Highest", which has never been out of print and has been translated into 39 languages.

Reviews

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense!

I've spent 6 months on this, and I'll probably go back again in a few years. Although it's not an easy read, Chambers' economic use of words packs a straight punch into a small space.

Spoiler alert:
The Voice of the Mastering Wonder (on Gen 32:2) from Oswald Chambers says, “The sight of the two hosts, the earthly and the heavenly, is a fitting revelation of God’s rule and government in this order of things. So few of us see the hosts of God because we have never let go of things as they are, never let go of our small parochial notions, of the sense of our own rightness and respectability; consequently there is no room for God at all. Beware of the abortion of God’s grace that prostitutes the Holy Spirit to the personal, private use of our own purity, instead of allowing God by His majestic grace to keep us loyal to His character in spite of everything that transpires. Faith in God does not mean that He presents us as museum specimens, but it does mean that however ignoble we may feel, we remain true to God’s character no matter what perplexities may rage.
“God’s angelic hosts are like His visible mercies—countless. We are economically drunk nowadays. Everybody is an economist; consequently we imagine that God is economical. Think of God in creation! Think of the number of trees and the blades of grass and flowers, the extravagant wealth of beauty no one ever sees! Think of the sunrises and sunsets we never look at! God is lavish in every degree. For God’s sake, don’t be economical!”

[Meredith DeVoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny book took me nearly a year to work through. Sometimes all I could read was a paragraph before my mind was exploding. This is vintage Chambers, who finds jewels in the very dust of Abraham's sandals. My copy is over 70 years old, a disintegrating hardback left behind by previous generations of missionaries here in Jos, Nigeria. I trust it helped them, too, along the rough tracks of following where God led them.

[Lee Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing work by Oswald Chambers. Chambers has an incredible insight into the Scriptures and this book is no exception. A study of Genesis chapters 12-25, centered around the life of Abraham.

Not easy to read, not because of the reading style or vocabulary, but because of the insightful application of Scripture.

Highly recommended.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easily the best study of Abraham's life I have ever been privileged to read. Every single chapter made me think, rethink, pray, and ponder. What does it mean to live a life of faith? What is it like to believe in God Himself, to walk with Him daily?
So, so good.
Highly recommended.

[Gheorghe Galmadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that made me feel a spiritual infant. The simple and at the same time the profound way the author writes is simply amazing. It is a book for every child of God who wants to know how to thrust more in Him.

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oswald has some great insights on panic, specifically that anything we do we do out of panic will always be unhelpful and destructive. I also like his comments on the difference between individuality and personality. The analysis of Jacob as a sanctified sneak is so insightful. So much of what he writes I've never heard before. He points out so much that others miss. So relevant to the life the modern Christian. This book is not to be missed!

[D. Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the way he drew practical lessons on walking with God from the life of Abraham, who went out because God said to.

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out ... and he went out not, knowing wither he went." Heb 11:8 KJV

[Christopher-James Neethling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has read Oswald Chambers famous, “My utmost for His Highest” would know what a benefit this man’s writings are. This book with short devotional chapters brim with revelations of God that stirs faith. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to everyone!

[Jennah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Oswald Chambers takes you through the journey of Abraham's life to Joseph's life.

[Os Hillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read on the faith journey to fulfill your destiny.