 |
|---|
Redeeming Love
Francine Rivers
Multnomah Publishers.1997. 464pp
Review by Nel Mechielsen
This is a fictional story based on the Book of Hosea and set in
California’s gold country in 1850. The story begins with a little girl
called Sarah, the product of an illicit affair. Her father wanted her
aborted, but her mother desperately wanted to keep the life that was
growing inside her. The father resents the child from the day she is
born and wants nothing to do with her. When Sarah’s father ends the
affair with her mother, the money no longer comes in and they end up on
the docks living in poverty. Sarah’s mother becomes ill and dies,
leaving Sarah, aged eight, in the care of Uncle Rab, who is unable to
look after Sarah and sells her to Duke, who runs a brothel.
Michael Hosea, a country farmer and committed to God and His ways,
regularly comes into town to sell and buy his goods. One day his eye
catches a glimpse of a beautiful woman walking down the street. He hears
God’s voice saying to Hosea that she is the girl he is going to marry.
However, she lives in a brothel and earns her keep as a prostitute.
Hosea battles with God as to why He wants him to marry her of all
people.
This book is a powerful retelling of the Book of Hosea. It is a
life-changing story of God’s unconditional love for His people. Get
ready for an experience with God as you read this book. I was overawed
with the persistence of Michael Hosea and his obedience to the voice of
God. It again showed me the power of God’s love against all odds, His
all-consuming and redeeming love that He wants to shower on His people,
especially the broken and hurting ones.
I highly recommend this book and all the others that Francine Rivers has
written. I am grateful to the ladies of the Langwarrin Reformed Church
who encouraged me to read them. Francine is an amazingly gifted writer,
who has a close relationship with the Lord, the result of which is
evident in her books. Once you start reading her books they are very
hard to put down.
Nel Mechielsen
Books
Music
Movies
Return to top of page
All material on this site © 2004 Trowel & Sword