I LOVED this book from Jill Eileen Smith on Rahab’s Story. This is the first book in her series Daughters of the Promised Land, but she is also the best-selling author of three other series: The Wives of King David, the Wives of the Patriarchs, and the Loves of King Solomon. If you haven’t read any of her books before (which I have not), and you enjoy biblical/historical fiction, I believe I have found a new author to recommend to you.
And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from
Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially
Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a
prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there…
Before the men lay down, she came up to them on
the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord
has given you the land … Now then, please swear to
me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you,
you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and
…that you will save alive my father and mother, my
brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and
deliver our lives from death.”
Joshua 2:1, 8-9, 12-13 (ESV)
From the Back Cover
“Rahab’s story is one of the most moving redemption accounts in Scripture. The Crimson Cord perfectly captures all the drama of the original, fleshing out the characters with care and thought. Jill’s storytelling skills kept me reading late into the night. A beautiful tale, beautifully told!”–Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night
Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband’s debt. Forced into prostitution, she despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime.
In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho’s walls–or if she will ever know the meaning of love.
Under Jill Eileen Smith’s talented hand, the familiar story of Rahab bursts forth in high definition. Immerse yourself in a world of dark and dusty streets, clandestine meetings, and daring escapes as a mysterious biblical figure claims her full humanity–and a permanent place in your heart.
My Review
Rahab’s story doesn’t end when the walls of Jericho come tumbling down. Instead, as promised by the Israelite spies sent by Joshua, she and her family are saved from destruction, and she is given a chance to begin a new life as a member of God’s Chosen People. This beautiful and amazing journey of faith–sometimes sad, sometimes uplifting–is one that you will want to read for yourself.
Fuller Way of Life 