Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links; thank you for your support.
In our homeschool history, we are pretty firmly entrenched in ancient history. History dork that I am, I have always loved historical fiction, but I been loving biblical fiction because I am learning enough to be able to connect the dots. Am I the only one who loves that?
Anyway, when the opportunity to review The Crimson Cord came out, I decided it sounded good enough to take one of the few spots I was willing to dedicate to fiction this year. I was NOT disappointed. The newest book by Jill Eileen Smith is the first in the Daughters of the Promised Land series. The main character? Rahab. The harlot. One of only 5 women listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1).
It was a fascinating story. Part I of the book sets the stage of Rahab’s life and how she became a harlot. Her husband turned to drink and gambling after their marriage. Knowing how beautiful his wife was, his debts caused him to offer her to the highest bidder(s), including the Prince. Since she couldn’t bear him a son, she was good for little else. Despite her difficult life, she was kind to others and cared for her family throughout the story.
In the second part, Smith tells the story of Rahab’s redemption. She offered sanctuary to the Jews scouting out Jericho and was promised that everyone in her home would be safe. Given that everyone and everything in her life had failed her, she has nothing more to lose. Her family is saved and she lives with the Jews. Not only does God redeem her, giving her love & marriage, but he also restored her honor and provides her a child.
Because The Crimson Cord is based on a bible story, I don’t think there are any “spoilers.” But Jill Eileen Smith did a beautiful job of creating a picture of a woman, discarded and broken, then redeemed to be part of God’s lineage. None of the women mentioned in his genealogy were perfect women and I think they were mentioned because he wanted everyone to know they were valuable, loved and able to be used by God for good. If you are a fan of biblical fiction or any historical fiction, this is a fabulous book!
This book coupled with a few stories I have heard over the last month, have really given me a heart for women who have little choice between death or selling themselves. My measly little health issues are NOTHING compared to the struggles & crosses that others bear. One of the ways that I try to help is to support Fair Trade Friday, Mercy House, and other similar organizations.
What organizations do support to help women & children in need of help? Do you support in hands-on ways or just money and/or prayer?
