Book Review Joseph’s Bones

Loved Of The LORD

I just finished reading this book & I thought you might be interested in another direction I invested in.

Joseph’s Bones

Understanding The Struggle Between God And Mankind In The Bible

Jerome M. Segal

Being a believer and follower of Jesus for thirty years, reading this work was somewhat a strain to do, as Jerome Segal suggests, to set aside my beliefs and read with an open mind. This was indeed a trek in unexplored space for me. Yet another review to add to my list

I found Jerome Segal to be an astute student and scholar of the bible. His extensive knowledge and understanding of Holy writ is obviously displayed in this in-depth critical analysis and perspective.

Segal sets aside conventional, theological and accepted views and uses Scripture (Those he chose.) alone to radically present his contentions.

His analysis thru the Torah & Joshua (Hexateuch ) portrays GOD as a immature neophyte, who is omnipotent, yet not omniscience nor magnanimous.

He seems to have Yahweh looking for a mentor and has Abraham and Moses as instruments in respectably shaping GOD’s character and perspective on obedience, justice & punishment..

His writing displays his belief and love for god and he is scholarly neutral in his position on the deity of JESUS, while at the same time suggesting that JESUS was also a part of Yahweh’s evolution.

He emphasizes the Israelites carrying two arks with them one being the bones of Joseph, which seems feasible, as the bones were with them till they buried them in Shechem, It was probably more a sarcophagus being of the rank he held in Egypt.

The Ark of the covenant being the visible image of GOD’s Law and Judgment and the ark of Joseph’s Bones reminding them of Joseph’s Love and Forgiveness.

As hard as it was to read, (because of my beliefs) I found it never dry and it kept my interest as a mystery would. Dr. Segal did an exceptional job showing JESUS and Joseph being alike in so many ways.

Even though I have never found two people agree completely on what Scripture is saying and as different as this was, I have to say that, “All and all it was a good read for understanding how others see The Word.”