"Keepers of the Covenant" by Lynn Austin is the second book in the Restoration Chronicles which focuses on the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah. No one does Biblical fiction better than Lynn Austin! She does an excellent job of bringing the people of the Old Testament to life, both the Jews and the Gentiles during the time of the exiled Jews in Babylon.
A decree is issued from the king's palace calling for the killing of every Jewish man, woman and child throughout the empire in a year's time. This decree and the situation behind it is detailed in the book of Esther. Faced with this threat, a quiet but intelligent scholar, Ezra is forced into a position of leadership of his fellow Jews during this time of crisis.
You understand the fear of the Jewish people and the threat facing them by their Gentile neighbors. Their stories both of the Jewish and Gentile people are intertwined as the events unfold. There are stories of despair and doubt countered with those of faith and hope. Ultimately, God's great love for His people who trust in Him is what comes to light throughout this story. I highly recommend this book for a look into the lives of the Israelites during this time. It will inform and encourage readers in their journey of faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment