Book Review: From Egypt to Sinai

I recently completed reading through the book, From Sinai to Egypt: A Devotional Commentary on Exodus by Rev. Paul S. Meitner ($31.99).

Rev. Meitner covers the entire book of Exodus, dividing up various sections of Exodus into 25 chapters (302 pages).  Each chapter averages 12 pages, although some of the meatier portions of Exodus get treated with longer chapters which is understandable.

While it is subtitled "a devotional commentary," the emphasis is on the word "devotional."  If someone is looking for a breakdown of Hebrew words or verse-by-verse commentary, you will need to look elsewhere.  This volume assumes that you have read or are familiar with the designated chapters of Exodus and offers up insights from there.  Most often, those insights seek to connect the portions of Exodus to their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  This is the strongest argument for the purchase of this book.  It was a pleasure to see the connections made by Rev. Meitner, and he acknowledged that even more connections could have been made.

In each chapter, Rev. Meitner shows both sin and grace.  He also connects these to us, showing that we are no better than the stiff-necked Israelites who returned to their sins again and again.  But our Lord and Savior is also the same--forgiving sins because he paid for them with his atoning sacrifice and continuing to bestow grace upon his people.  The Lord who called us to be his also works and sustains us as his own.  While readers will grow in their understanding of the book of Exodus, the devotional aspect of this book is its best attribute.

NOTE: The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author in exchange for a free copy of this book provided by Northwestern Publishing House.