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Path of the Prophets: The Ethics-Driven Life
Illuminating the ethical legacy of the biblical prophets, Path of the Prophets identifies the prophetic moment in the lives of eighteen biblical figures and demonstrates their compelling relevance to us today.
While the Bible almost exclusively names men as prophets, Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz celebrates heroic, largely unknown biblical women such as Shiphrah, Tirzah, and Hannah. He also deepens readers’ interpretations of more familiar biblical figures not generally thought of as prophets, such as Joseph, Judah, and Caleb.
Schwartz introduces the prophets with creative, first-person retellings of their decisive experiences, followed by key biblical narratives, context, and analysis. He weighs our heroes’ and heroines’ legacies—their obstacles and triumphs—and considers how their ethical examples live on; he guides us on how to integrate biblical-ethical values into our lives; and he challenges each of us to walk the prophetic path today.
While the Bible almost exclusively names men as prophets, Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz celebrates heroic, largely unknown biblical women such as Shiphrah, Tirzah, and Hannah. He also deepens readers’ interpretations of more familiar biblical figures not generally thought of as prophets, such as Joseph, Judah, and Caleb.
Schwartz introduces the prophets with creative, first-person retellings of their decisive experiences, followed by key biblical narratives, context, and analysis. He weighs our heroes’ and heroines’ legacies—their obstacles and triumphs—and considers how their ethical examples live on; he guides us on how to integrate biblical-ethical values into our lives; and he challenges each of us to walk the prophetic path today.
352 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 18, 2018
When I read the Hebrew Bible, as I do regularly, I read it through a particular lens -- Jesus. That is to be expected as a Christian, that I would do so. Most of the commentators I read are Christian as well. For the most part, the biblical scholars I read try to read the text of the Hebrew Bible, what Christians usually call the Old Testament, with Jewish interpretations in mind. However, at the end of the day they recognize that their audience is Christian. It is good, however, to occasionally read about the text and persons in the Hebrew Bible from a Jewish perspective. It sheds light that might not be shed otherwise.
Path of the Prophets is an enjoyable, thought provoking, revelatory book that should be read not only by Jews, but also by Christians. Rabbi Barry Schwartz has written a wonderful book about the spiritual life, from a Jewish perspective (of course), that focuses on the ethical and spiritual implications of the Hebrew Bible. The sub-title of the book would seem to be a play or Rick Warren's best-seller -- The Purpose Driven Life. There is purpose here, and it is to live an ethical life in partnership with God.
The book centers in the covenant relationship between God and God's people. It focuses on the prophets, for they center on walking with God in an ethical manner. Why the prophets, Rabbi Schwartz notes that "the prophets are people driven by a higher calling. At crucial moments they act on their ideas for the common good, often with disregard for their own security." (p. xvii). These prophets "criticize, cajole, and comfort." In this book, the designation prophet is broader than we usually think. That is, Schwartz includes in the book persons we might not normally consider prophets -- Ruth for instance -- and yet persons exhibit prophetic qualities. He includes people like Ruth, Hannah, Judah, because they exhibit Spirit-filled behavior.
The book is divided into three parts, exhibiting the three qualities described in Micah 6:8 that God finds pleasing: Justice, Mercy, Humility. Each section has six chapters, focusing on a single person, the first being Abraham, who exemplifies the path of protest (shown in his argument with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah). Each chapter begins with a semi-fictional first person statement by the person, expressing the theme of the chapter. This is followed by texts of Scripture upon which Schwartz will base the next two sections upon. Each chapter has a "prophetic moment" and then a section focused on "walking with . . . " Thus, in chapter 11, entitled "Jeremiah's Scroll: The Path of Hope," the prophetic moment is the call for the people to buy land, with the promise that God will restore the fortunes of the people. This is followed by the section "Walking with Jeremiah: The Path of Hope." Regarding this hope, Schwartz writes: "The gift of the Jews has always been the ability, time and again, to overcome fear with the belief that the future will be better" (p. 144).
The book is written for the lay person desiring to study the scriptures and pursue the "ethics-driven life." It is not meant to be a scholarly commentary. In fact, Schwartz encourages the reader to consult the commentaries. The chapters do not provide a complete overview of the life of the person who appears there. It is on the particular expression of the prophetic walk that is lifted up. Thus, with Hannah --- she exemplifies the "path of prayer." Of this path, Schwartz concludes: "The path of prayer responds to our most basic emotional and spiritual needs: the mind yearning for understanding, the heart yearning for healing, and the soul yearning for transcendence" (p. 189). With this in mind, Schwartz includes a rather extensive study guide for group use.
In closing, I am certainly glad that I had made contact with the publisher of this book -- the Jewish Publication Society -- for the journal I edit. In conversation with the publicist, she mentioned this book as perhaps being of interest to not only a Jewish audience, but Christians as well (the audience of the journal is primarily Christian). I believe she is correct, as I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am pleased to recommend it to any desiring to live a life pleasing to God, one marked by justice, mercy, and humility.
Path of the Prophets is an enjoyable, thought provoking, revelatory book that should be read not only by Jews, but also by Christians. Rabbi Barry Schwartz has written a wonderful book about the spiritual life, from a Jewish perspective (of course), that focuses on the ethical and spiritual implications of the Hebrew Bible. The sub-title of the book would seem to be a play or Rick Warren's best-seller -- The Purpose Driven Life. There is purpose here, and it is to live an ethical life in partnership with God.
The book centers in the covenant relationship between God and God's people. It focuses on the prophets, for they center on walking with God in an ethical manner. Why the prophets, Rabbi Schwartz notes that "the prophets are people driven by a higher calling. At crucial moments they act on their ideas for the common good, often with disregard for their own security." (p. xvii). These prophets "criticize, cajole, and comfort." In this book, the designation prophet is broader than we usually think. That is, Schwartz includes in the book persons we might not normally consider prophets -- Ruth for instance -- and yet persons exhibit prophetic qualities. He includes people like Ruth, Hannah, Judah, because they exhibit Spirit-filled behavior.
The book is divided into three parts, exhibiting the three qualities described in Micah 6:8 that God finds pleasing: Justice, Mercy, Humility. Each section has six chapters, focusing on a single person, the first being Abraham, who exemplifies the path of protest (shown in his argument with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah). Each chapter begins with a semi-fictional first person statement by the person, expressing the theme of the chapter. This is followed by texts of Scripture upon which Schwartz will base the next two sections upon. Each chapter has a "prophetic moment" and then a section focused on "walking with . . . " Thus, in chapter 11, entitled "Jeremiah's Scroll: The Path of Hope," the prophetic moment is the call for the people to buy land, with the promise that God will restore the fortunes of the people. This is followed by the section "Walking with Jeremiah: The Path of Hope." Regarding this hope, Schwartz writes: "The gift of the Jews has always been the ability, time and again, to overcome fear with the belief that the future will be better" (p. 144).
The book is written for the lay person desiring to study the scriptures and pursue the "ethics-driven life." It is not meant to be a scholarly commentary. In fact, Schwartz encourages the reader to consult the commentaries. The chapters do not provide a complete overview of the life of the person who appears there. It is on the particular expression of the prophetic walk that is lifted up. Thus, with Hannah --- she exemplifies the "path of prayer." Of this path, Schwartz concludes: "The path of prayer responds to our most basic emotional and spiritual needs: the mind yearning for understanding, the heart yearning for healing, and the soul yearning for transcendence" (p. 189). With this in mind, Schwartz includes a rather extensive study guide for group use.
In closing, I am certainly glad that I had made contact with the publisher of this book -- the Jewish Publication Society -- for the journal I edit. In conversation with the publicist, she mentioned this book as perhaps being of interest to not only a Jewish audience, but Christians as well (the audience of the journal is primarily Christian). I believe she is correct, as I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am pleased to recommend it to any desiring to live a life pleasing to God, one marked by justice, mercy, and humility.
May 7, 2018
Rabbi Schwartz provides a great format for exploring the messages of 18 prophets in Jewish history and the great values they espoused.
Not only does the book act as a useful biblical reference and interpretation - especially as it relates to the prophets - but it also provides a great source of commentary on living various values of moral aptitude from courage to humility.
A great read for anyone looking to learn more about ethics in Judaism or simply live a more moral life.
Not only does the book act as a useful biblical reference and interpretation - especially as it relates to the prophets - but it also provides a great source of commentary on living various values of moral aptitude from courage to humility.
A great read for anyone looking to learn more about ethics in Judaism or simply live a more moral life.
October 8, 2018
I did not like the book at all. I didnt even finish reading the book!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews