Book Review- This Scarlet Cord

Book Description:

Within one of the Old Testament’s most famous battles lies one of its most tender love stories.

Hidden within the battle of Jericho is the story of Rahab, a beautiful and brave young Canaanite woman who aided the Israelites by hanging a piece of scarlet cord from a window. This act of faith changed her life by placing her in the genealogy of Christ.

Rahab is the beautiful youngest daughter of a Canaanite farmer, taken to Jericho for the pagan New Year celebration so that her father can find her a wealthy spouse. Sala is the only son of an Israelite merchant, in Jericho as a spy for Joshua’s army. Their love would have been destined for heartache, were it not ordained by God.

When Rahab finds favor with the king, and is to become his ritual bride, she abandons the pagan gods who have abandoned her and pleads with the One True God of the Israelites for deliverance. With her prayer answered, she vows to deliver Jericho to Joshua, risking her life to do so.

Motivated by love and empowered by a new faith, Rahab saves her family, and secures her future as one of the most important women in the Bible.

My Review:

Rahab being a very heroic and fascinating character in the Bible has had me  thoroughly fascinated. As the author stated Rahabs' story in the Bible covers about five paragraphs, however, she was able to create an entire book about her. Joan did an amazing job retelling this biblical romance, including action, suspense, and high strung emotions.

It was very evident that Joan had done her Historical research. The historical depictions intertwined throughout the story were exceptionally detailed and imaginable. She immediately thrust you into a sea of action and intrigue. You could very well imagine the busy markets, with the sea of different looking people and items.

I immensely enjoyed the setting, plot, and even the pace of the book, However, I am not sure of her biblical accuracy. She divided the Israelites in two groups, ones that crossed the desert, and others that never went to Egypt. The Bible clearly states that all of Jacob's entire family went to Egypt to escape the famine.

After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy- five in all.

Acts 7:14

So I am not sure where she got her information, when the Bible states it very plainly. If some of the Israelites did not go down to Egypt, how would they have survived with the famine raging throughout the land of Canaan? Biblical accuracy is of upmost importance in christian fiction, and even greater in Biblical fiction. With this in mind, the story was somewhat devalued. All in all the book was an enjoyable read. I would give this book a 3.5. The actual writing and plot is 5 stars worthy, but with the Biblical inaccuracy, it lowers it's rating immensely in my eyes.

I recieved this book for free, from Book Sneeze, in exchange for this honest review.