Gentle counsel

JOSEPH
His arms were made strong
By David C. Searle. Banner of Truth. 226 pages. £7.50
ISBN 978 1 848 711 655

It is always a joy to be in the company of a wise older Christian as they share their insights because they are saturated with Scripture.

This book, although centred on the life of Joseph, ranges across many areas of life, touching on temptation, suffering, trials, perseverance, failure, repentance, guilt, and faith. It is not a commentary on the life of Joseph, but instead uses Joseph as a type of Christ and an exemplar of faith. We journey constantly backwards and forwards to ancient Egypt with many diversions en route, to the gospel and on into church history. Some chapters take a theme from Genesis and then follow it in greater depth in the New Testament.

Personal address

This book has grown out of many years of preaching and the chapters are like reading mini sermons. The strength of this is that the reader is addressed personally, encouraged to spiritual maturity and holiness. The author has meditated for many years on this part of Genesis and, as a result, his insights and observations are all illustrated in a very pertinent way.

This is a book to use for personal meditation. It is not necessarily a book to help you in your exegesis of Genesis, although it does have helpful insights. The reluctant reader may find one or two of the chapters challenging in length, but it is a book to read slowly considering a section at a time. I think it could be a very helpful companion in personal quiet times and, if a younger Christian were to sit at the feet of this teacher, he/she may not fully understand how this part of Genesis fits in with biblical theology, but will have gained some very wise and gentle counsel.

Karen Soole, chair of The Northern Women’s Convention (blogs at http://karensdesk.co.uk)