God was going to war. He had chosen His soldiers, presently a horde of browbeaten slaves, viciously harassed by task-masters in Egypt. He had selected as His leader a faraway, aged, sheepherder to gain the slaves’ release, develop them into a unified force and lead them from Egypt to conquer a distant, evil land, Canaan (present-day Israel). They would become a “holy nation, a kingdom of priests” under God’s tutelage to do a mighty work that He would later reveal to them.

Little would Moses know that he would have to lead them through bloody battles, lustful temptations, crushing betrayals, a calamitous desertion, and be himself opposed by rebellious tribal leaders while being helped by his siblings and a loyal Joshua. Many have heard Moses’ story in detail. But what about the God he follows and the people he would shepherd?

A Harrowing Journey offers insight into God’s staggering, encouraging offers, His wise, often-loving demands, His firm hand, passion, protection and patience. We feel Moses’ vacillating, wrestling mindset as God’s stressed leader and that of the extraordinarily challenged Israelite masses as they struggle to shed doubting, willful ways to serve a God “abounding in lovingkindness and truth” (Ex. 34;6).

Just an “Old Testament, wrathful God?” Look again.