Israel,thecommunitytowhichJesusbelonged,tookitsnamefromtheirpatriarchJacob.Hisstoryofexileandreturnwastheirstoryaswell.Inthewell-knowntaleoftheprodigalson,Jesusreshapedthestoryinhisownwayandforhisownpurposes.Inthiswork,KennethE.BaileycomparestheOldTestamentsagaandtheNewTestamentparable.HeunpackssimilaritiesfreightedwiththeologicalsignificanceanddifferencesthatoftenrevealJesus’particularpurposes.DrawingonalifetimeofstudyinbothMiddleEasterncultureandtheGospels,BaileyoffershereafreshviewofhowJesusinterpretedIsrael’spast,hispresentandtheirfuture.
