Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin - REVIEWED

About the Book:
In Their Darkest Hour, Where Would Hope Be Found?In one life-changing moment, the lives of the exiles in Babylon are thrown into despair when a decree from the king's palace calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire in less than one year.

Ezra, a quiet but brilliant scholar, soon finds himself called upon to become the leader of his people. Forced to rally an army when all his training has been in the Torah, he struggles to bring hope in a time of utter despair, when dreams of the future--of family and love--seem impossible.

In Keepers of the Covenant, acclaimed novelist Lynn Austin weaves together the struggles and stories of both Jews and Gentiles, creating a tapestry of faith and doubt, love and loss. Here, the Old Testament comes to life, demonstrating the everlasting hope displayed in God's unwavering love for His people.

My Thoughts:
"That's what we are going to Jerusalem to do.  To rebuild our nation according to His law. To be keepers of His covenant."  (p.325)

Lynn Austin has written a beautiful story of love and grace using the Old Testament book of Ezra as her foundational building block.  She weaves the rich history of the Jewish culture into every aspect of her story, and she builds her characters' lives into a believable community of relationships that become concrete in the reader's mind and heart.  The culture of the Jewish people, the Laws and the Torah that governed their lives, the many enemies that came against them time and time again, God's chosen people represent so much of the mercy and grace that came to earth in the person of Jesus in the New Testament. 

And Lynn Austin doesn't miss one instant of this intricate foreshadowing found in the book of Ezra. I have to be honest, I had to get my Bible out and read this book of the Old Testament. It is a book that is rich in story, of trouble, of redemption, just every aspect of God's mercy and grace that has been present in the lives of His people throughout time.  I fell in love with the constant faith of Ezra, and Devorah, of Reuben and Amina.  And what I loved most of all was that each had to be drawn into relationship with God.  Each had to endure sore trials, loss and deep wounds.  Each had to make the choice to continue to follow God.  It is such a precious and tender story of mercy and grace!

If you enjoy Biblically based fiction, you don't want to miss Keepers  of the Covenant!  You will understand how important a covenant relationship is from the Old to the New Testament....and even including your own personal covenant relationship with God through Jesus!  This is a fabulous, intricate story that you will remember for a very long time!

Purchase your copy HERE!


About the Author:

Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner and an inaugural inductee into the Christy Award Hall of Fame, as well as a popular speaker at retreats, conventions, women's groups, and book clubs. She lives with her husband in Michigan. Learn more at www.lynnaustin.org.