New York Times bestselling author Angela Hunt brings readers back to "the silent years" in the Bible. Judah's Wife is set approximately 160 years before Jesus' birth.
Judah Maccabees is the 4th of five sons. Their father, Matthias, is a descendant of Judah. Due to the King's decree all the people are commanded to worship false idols. Judah's family resolves to leave Jerusalem because they want to remain faithful to Adonai and will not worship man-made images.
A native of Jerusalem, Leah grew up in an abusive home. Her father often and repeatedly beat her mother and was verbally abusive to his daughter. When it's arranged that she marry Judah she sees her marriage as a way out and longs for it to bring her peace.
Over the course of the story, Leah's character goes through a great deal of personal growth and change. When Judah and his brothers go to war to follow the laws of Moses rather than conform to the Syrian rule, she becomes resentful. Over time, she supports his decision to go to war and realizes she "married an unusual man, and humility was one of his rare qualities. He seemed to be content no matter where he was, in the goat pen or on the battlefield." (Hunt, 264-265).
Ms. Hunt has a unique way of telling a story. Judah's Wife was divided into 4 parts and the chapters alternate between Judah and Leah's points of view.
What really struck me was the lengths that Judah and his family were willing to go in order to remain faithful and steadfast to God. Even to the point where they were willing to die.
It caused me to closely examine my own faith.
~~ Judah's Wife was provided to me by Bethany House in return for my honest opinion. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, for which I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone ~~
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