An epic journey of intimacy, rejection, betrayal . . . and hope
God gives Hosea a difficult command-marry a prostitute in order to
show God’s people the nature and depth of His love for Israel. When
Hosea goes to Israel to proclaim the Lord’s message, the woman God
directs him to marry turns out to be his childhood friend Gomer. He
finds her broken and abused, unwilling to trust Hosea or his God. But
when marrying Hosea becomes her only means of escape, Gomer does what
she’s good at-she survives. Can Hosea’s love for God and God’s love for
Israel restore Gomer’s broken spirit?
With her powerful combination of in-depth research and masterful
storytelling, Mesu Andrews brings to life one of the most complex and
fascinating stories of love and forgiveness in the face of utter
betrayal.
Love in a Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews Book Trailer
Mesu Andrews is the author of Love Amid the Ashes and Love's Sacred Song.
She is an active speaker who has devoted herself to passionate and
intense study of Scripture. Harnessing her deep understanding and love
for God's Word, Andrews brings the biblical world vividly alive for her
readers. She lives in Washington.
Reader review . . .
Hosea the prophet has been given an unthinkable command from God; he is to marry a prostitute to convey the love that God has for Israel. The prostitute God directs him to marry is Gomer, whom he has not seen since they were separated in childhood. Forced into prostitution at an unthinkably young age, Gomer no longer trusts anyone, not even Hosea or his God. When Gomer repeatedly breaks his heart, will Hosea be able to show the forgiveness and mercy of God?
This is one of the Old Testament stories that has always captured my imagination. The idea of the prophet of God marrying a prostitute, and then (SPOILER ALERT!) taking her back after she returns to her old ways, goes against the image most of us have of Bible characters. The forgiveness shown by Hosea never ceases to amaze me. Although I know that this is a representation of the forgiveness and mercy of God, on a human level I cannot grasp forgiveness of that depth.
Ms. Andrews has, in my opinion, done an excellent job in the novelization of this Biblical tale. Although dialogue and back stories have been invented to flesh out the story, it is done in a reverent manner, and as far as I can tell, no major errors were committed.
Clean novelization of an Old Testament tale.
5 stars
“Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Disclosure of Material
Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to
write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16
CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and
Testimonials in Advertising.
1 comments:
This sounds wonderful! On my to read list.
Post a Comment