Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places [Paperback]

Chuck DeGroat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2011

The Exodus story is your story.

The Israelites' liberation from Egypt and journey to the promised land is one the Bible's most compelling stories a breathtaking account of competing wills, freedom and slavery, faith and doubt.

But the Exodus isn't just a long-ago Bible story. It's the overarching theme of every person's life. We each find ourselves enslaved: to work, to destructive relationships, to food, to spending . . . but beyond our personal Egypt lies God's promised land.

In Leaving Egypt, Chuck DeGroat shows how our wilderness journey helps us face our fears, receive our new identity, experience transformation, and live into our new found freedom.

Discussion questions for personal or small group use follow each chapter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Leaving Egypt is a welcome roadmap for anyone who is tired of taking two steps forward, three steps back whether you are lost in addiction, doubt, fear, shame, or religiosity. This book is a guide filled with directions not to a destination, but to stay on the path, because this journey is the Promised Land." --Sharon Hersh, M.A., LPC, speaker, adjunct professor in several graduate schools including Reformed Theological Seminary, author of "The Last Addiction" and "Begin Again, Believe Again"

"It's a long and sometimes painful journey out of "Egypt," the place of fear, enslavement, and distrust. I know--I've been there, and still visit on occasion. If you're trapped in "Egypt" and know there should be something far better, this book will change your life. With profound biblical and theological insight, Chuck DeGroat has written a "travel guide" for human and flawed travelers who want to be free." --Steve Brown, professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, author, and teacher on the nationally syndicated radio program Key Life

About the Author

Chuck DeGroat is Director of the Counseling Center of City Church in San Francisco, a Reformed Church in America congregation, and Academic Dean of Newbigin House of Studies, a visionary new cooperative seminary project with Western Theological Seminary of Holland, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Square Inch (November 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592556736
• ISBN-13: 978-1592556731
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.3 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #530,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chuck DeGroat is director of the counseling center at City Church in
San Francisco, as well as academic dean of the Newbigin House of Studies.
He also served as professor and director of spiritual formation at Reformed
Theological Seminary in Orlando.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insights February 29, 2012

By LMS

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Even though I'd never heard of this author before, the title and description of this book got my attention. I have logged a lot of time in a wilderness. There have many times over the course of my life where I've wondered "God where are you in the midst of this? Do you see? Do you even care?" But I also know something else. It's true that it's during the painful, difficult times in our lives that we grow the most. I know this to be true because I have experienced it time and time again. My times of greatest spiritual growth coinside with my times of greatest pain and doubt.

This book builds on the premise that we are all slaves to something. We don't have a choice in the matter. We are all living in some form of slavery. We are all in bondage to something. Contrary to what some Christian authors/pastors seem to believe, becoming a Christian doesn't mean all our bondage, pain, and hang-ups instantly disappear once a person become a Christian. Instead, becoming a Christian is just the first step on the journey towards freedom. The author points out that we in the West are woefully unprepared to deal with suffering. When suffering strikes, we authomatically think that we are being punished by God or that we have done something wrong. In some cases, our suffering may be the result of our own lack of judgement and poor choices. I'm not denying that. But the Bible makes it crystal clear. If a person chooses to live a godly life, they will be persecuted. It's not a matter of if it will occur, but what form it will take. That means, that it is possible that suffering can come from doing everything right! The author also makes the point that the church, by and large, doesn't know how to minister to people who are suffering.... Often, there is a unspoken message of "You're too broken and messy right now. Get help and then you can be part of the church." I have been part of churches where that message comes through loud and clear. But that is NOT how Jesus responded to people in pain or who were grieving. He didn't push them away. He embraced them and suffered with them. Then he restored them.

It can be easy to read book of the Bible like Exodus and think "That story took place so long ago! What can it possibly have to offer me today?" But the teaches that all of it was written for our instruction, not just the New Testament. There are lessons the Old Testament can teach us too. It may not be as obvious at first, but if you look, the lessons are definitely there. The truth of the matter is this: The story of the Israelites in the wilderness is not just about them. It is really about all of us. Many times we are just as distrustful, rebellious, and whiny towards God as they are. At least I know I am. But this story also illustrates that God's love will relentlessly pursue us and will not give up on us. Ever. No matter how far and fast we run. If you are going through a difficult time and are having trouble seeing God in the midst of your pain and difficult circumstances, then get this book. It will be like a cool drink for your soul. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging and relatable read! June 1, 2012

By Shana TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

In this book the author uses the Exodus story and compares it with the problems we face today in our daily lives. As a Christian, I found this book interesting and helpful.

The author shares personal stories as well as, real-life experiences from some of the clients he has worked with before. The personal stories were helpful to me. They took the Exodus story that most people are familiar with and entwined it with today's problems that most anyone has or will have during their life. The book is broken into four main sections; Egypt (oppression/bondage), Sinai (self-discovery/new identity), Wilderness (purgation/transformation), and Home (deliverance/mission/promise). This story also deals with almost every part of growing in the life of a believer of Christ. In this book you will learn more about trepidation and faith, trust and humbleness and healing and freedom.

This was a book that made me relate to the Exodus in a way I had never before. It took the Exodus story and made it into something that anyone could relate to. I think the author was very successful in bring todays challenges and melding them together with the past and somehow making them seem one.

Overall, I`d recommend it for growing and mature Christians. I probably wouldn't recommend it to new Christians as, there are some parts which get a bit theological and could be confusing. If you like Christian books, than I think that this is definitely one you should read. It would also be good for a group Bible study and discussion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This is how I perceived this manual of pilgrimage from Egypt to the heavenly kingdom June 27, 2012

By Didaskalex TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

****
"Drawing on his experience as a pastor and therapist in San Francisco, DeGroat meditates on the ways in which the journey out of Egypt and the journey out of addictions have powerful parallels, giving us helpful language with which to speak about enslavements of various kinds and the pervasive guilt and shame that accompany them." --Tim Hřiland
*

Those of us who have willingly or unwillingly left Egypt, however, to discover that the journey has only just begun, what kind of home awaits us? Sinai, on the other hand, is only a temporary residence, where we are to be given our new identity, as a free people, with a vision, and an eternal mission to accordingly, live free forever. Following Egypt and its wilderness of Sinai, there stands the promised land, "a place where God smiles on us, dwells in us, and embraces us."

While our ultimate destinastion is still out of sight, and although Egypt keeps pulling us back, we have to have the will for liberation. We are invited without delay to a new life in the kingdom. Will we eventually find God in the its mundane wilderness, following the long journey out of Egypt? You need a guide and companion on the pilgrimage of self-discovery, birth from Above; opening the way of a more abundant living. Life is an ongoing transformation, as we grow from childhood to adulthood, experiencing profound changes in our souls and minds.

Maturity occurs naturally, regardless of our own efforts, this may continue, but it requires a conscious participation. Salvation is transforming your life through knowledge (John 17:3).... The gifts of the transformed life, one of which is gradual learning to live abundantly, entails finding what we are called to: love, and to access our inner self (or heart) igniting the holy fire through the Spirit of the Lord, granting us non revoked promised peace and joy. You may start earlier to experience living a deeper realization and saintly values and ideals.

Those who are eager to mature in wisdom will learn, through the process of knowing, how to discard aspects of themselves and their lifestyles (self emptying) that no longer serve their eternal goal. Connecting with all universal life or Existence of our Creator. By submitting to His will to complete us (Synergy). By simply Knocking, it will be opened to you, tapping into the authentic grace of His only begotten Son. Cooperation in salvation, is a basic doctrine in the early churches, by not resisting the redeemer's economy of salvation, being indifferent, non appreciative, or resisting.

This is how I perceived this manual of pilgrimage from Egypt to the heavenly kingdom, only substituting salvation psychology with a living soteriology; Neurosis with theosis. Anthony, Macarius, and all their monks in east and west started when finding the one pearl of great price; (Matt 13: 44-46) All their way of devotion centered in self emptying as Paul describes the way of salvation by Jesus, as presented by Kempis in; "The imitation of Christ." Read more ›