The book Divine Glory, Divine Beauty - Knowing WHO God is and Not just WHAT He Does by Alison M. Down, is an astute look at the Exodus story that focuses on God. God too often remains hidden behind the monumental figure of Moses. God is the Leader of the Exodus. We live in an efficiency driven society, actions and results are the highest priority. While the book of Exodus is indeed packed with action, many tend to overlook the main purpose - reveal God the Father. Alison in her dynamic study has grabbed the very nerve of the Exodus narrative: the revelation of the Divine to sinful humanity.

This emphasis has been lost, unfortunately in too many publications. On the other hand, Alison helps the reader refocus from a traditional study of peoples and events of Exodus, to the God of Exodus. The study is carefully organized after the events of the Exodus, yet with each chapter, with each page, we come closer not just to the Promised Land, but we come to better understand God - the true Leader of the Exodus. As a systematic theologian I see that this book is needed for two main reasons. First, it provides a unique focus on God. Second, Divine Beauty, Divine Glory will help us to bridge what seems to be a gap between the God of the Old Testament and His Son Jesus Christ. This "study" is a joyful and fun read. The reader will certainly share in Alison's excitement over many personal discoveries. Using numerous parallel stories and texts from other books of the Bible, solidifies this research and makes reading more diverse and interesting. I would certainly recommend this material to any diligent student studying Exodus.

Dr. Oleg Zhigankov, PhD, Systematic and Historical Biblical Studies Pastor North Bay and South River Churches
Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists