"The Exodus: Leaving Egypt Behind" is a Bible Study book written in a simple language that is easy to understand. It is complete with question and answer sections per chapter. It is written in "blocks of time," so when the reader completes the study, he or she has a good idea of where it fits into the Bible chronologically, as well as to know the story itself. This story begins with Abraham, because he was chosen by God to depart from his ancestor's land called UR of the Chaldeans, and leave his family as well. He was to begin life anew in a land called Canaan. This multigenerational story encompasses parts of the first six chapters of the Bible and allows the reader to follow those who became the Israelites along the path which lead them to the Promise land. In the account of the Exodus it is important to know who the slaves were in Egypt, how and why they arrived there, and what happened to make them want to leave. Included therein are introductions to Bible Greats such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and his brother Aaron, and finally Joshua and Caleb as they led the Israelites the final steps of the way into the Promise Land. You will know where the term "Israelites" stemmed from, and know how and why they became the Tribes of Israel. Also as part of the text is the story of Joseph being sold by his very own brothers into slavery in Egypt. You will see how Joseph becomes their liberator from the horrendous famine during that time in history. Learn about the celebration called Passover, and the plagues sent upon Egypt in attempts to get Pharaoh to "Let My People Go." There were the laws to be digested at Mount Sinai where they learned about God and sacrificial offerings to be made unto Him. It was here on this mountain that Moses received the Ten Commandments and the instructions for building a Tabernacle...a place of worship that would be carried with them into the wilderness as they traveled. You will see how God lead them on their journey by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. You will learn that the Israelites were not always comfortable on this trek. They complained about the manna which fell upon the grass each morning and composed their diet. God miraculously sent for them quail to eat as they tired of their mundane diet called "Bread from Heaven." There were times the travelers wanted to give up and return to Egypt because of the difficulty of the journey. There were battles to fight along the way, of which many were hard and harsh. The fascinating battle of Jericho Is a part of this study. The Israelites fought their way across Canaan, but were not able to rid the land of all the less than desirable tribes settled there as the Lord wanted them to do. Even so, the lands were divided between the Tribes of Israel, each getting a section to call their own. The Promise Land was finally claimed and divided, and God's favored people were home at last.
About the Author: Linda Kaye Smith doesn't ever remember not believing in God; for her it was always a given. Linda has served in many capacities in her church, from serving on the church board, to small group leader, to Bible Study teacher, to leading mission projects, and various other things throughout the spectrum. It is a passion of Linda's to delve through the scriptures and write out the Biblical stories in a more simple language that is easily understood by everyone. She prefers to write stories in a "block of time," so she not only tells the story itself, but sets up the background details for the story as well. For example in this story of the Exodus, she first tells who and how those particular people got to Egypt, why they wanted to leave, and under whose guidance they accomplished the feat. Linda refers to herself as a 'detail freak' and therefore researches to add more interest to the prose she interprets. She gains great satisfaction when she teaches from what she has written. Linda also writes and performs dramatic readings of characters from the Bible. She enjoys filling those sandals, so as to speak, as she truly gathers the feeling for the characters and how they reacted in their individual life situations. Linda lives in Atlantic, Iowa where she works in her community as a cosmetologist, and writes in snitches of time in and around her appointment book. Thank you for choosing to read my book! I wish you greater understanding of God's Word as you study and learn. Books available by Linda are "The Exodus, Leaving Egypt Behind," "Saul, Israel's First King," and "Elijah the Tishbite." Linda Kaye Smith