Are you hungry to see what a godly man does in practice? Here is a feast of models from the Bible. In ten delicious expositions of biblical stories, the author carefully sifts the text and serves up a rich platter of applications for men today. He also superbly demonstrates how our Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate focus.
Each chapter begins by posing a common moral struggle faced by men today – e.g. purity or prayer – then comes the text of a key event in the life of a biblical hero. We read in turn of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Caleb, Isaiah, Daniel, Paul, Epaphras and Onesiphorus.
The real highlight of the book is a vivid retelling of each story – often with a little bit of imagination but always with an eye to making it clear to the 21st century reader. Then the example follows and is elucidated with the help of fresh jaw-dropping illustrations.
Each chapter concludes with a crystal clear explanation of how the event fits into the overall storyline of the Bible and discussion questions to help the reader reflect on the chapter.
The book is most suitable for church leaders (whether pastors or home group leaders) in an urban context, although husbands and fathers will also benefit from it. My only reservation was that such an emphasis is placed on working for the eternal future that there remained little incentive to steward this creation, for example, through our jobs.
Nonetheless, I was deeply refreshed to look again at the life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified as the sacrifice for our sin and resurrected to be judge of all. Let us trust him and seek to be like him!
