Friday, February 20, 2015

The Crimson Cord by Jill Eileen Smith - REVIEWED



About the Book:
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 Thoughts:
She would never be free of the greed of fools.”  (p. 91)

Considering Rahab’s circumstances, I am quite sure she felt this way on more than one occasion.  Jill Eileen Smith does a most excellent job of recreating an accurate depiction of Rahab’s life as a prostitute during ancient times.  Her recognition of God’s power when the spies came to her was a powerful moment – her first step toward accepting God’s presence in her life and submitting to His will.  From the moment she comes to live among the Israelites  to the moment she weds  Salmon, the reader has  a front row seat to the transforming power of grace. Rahab’s thirst after God is not slaked even after she becomes part of the lineage of Christ.  She thirsts for His presence always!

What a mighty picture of God’s grace toward us as His redeemed children!  How marvelous that He chose to redeem Rahab’s life and record it for believer’s to read throughout time!  I was Rahab before Christ set me free!! We all were!  We were as hopeless as she felt when she was bound in prostitution and made to be the brief satisfaction of men’s fleeting desires.  BUT GOD took that away from her! Forgave her! Embraced and loved her and placed her in the lineage of Christ!  THAT, dear reader, is a beautiful picture of grace!

No one writes biblical fiction like Jill Eileen Smith! No one places you on the ground and in the skin of biblical characters and remains accurate to both historical content and biblical content!  The story of Rahab is now fresh in my heart and her story of grace increases my praise for my own forgiveness and great grace!


RUN to the store and begin reading The Crimson Cord today!  It is most excellent! 

About the Author:
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and The Desert Princess, first in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.


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