RETURN TO ME BY LYNN AUSTIN

RETURN TO ME by LYNN AUSTIN is a beautifully written novel which takes place at the time of the return of the Jews from their Babylonian exile to the Promised Land. The story follows the Bible closely, starting in Babylon when Daniel reads the writing on the wall, which leads to the death of the king and the invasion of the Medes and Persians.
When Cyrus decrees that the Jews are free to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, taking the Temple treasure with them, guarded on their journey by his own soldiers, it seems too good to be true! Iddo, a priest and Levite, is amongst those who recognize this as the fulfillment of prophecy and as proof of the truth of God's Word and that He always keeps His promises. He is very excited and cannot understand why so many of his people, including his own sons, are not willing to give up their comfortable lives in Babylon in order to take part in this miraculous move of God.
The contrast between the idolatry of the Babylonians and the worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one true God, is brought out clearly. Zechariah, Iddo's grandson, is torn between his desire to serve God in Jerusalem and his longing to stay with his parents in the only home he has ever known. He chooses to answer the call of God on his life when He speaks to him through the portion of the Torah he reads at his Bar Mitzvah. We see how he protects his best friend, Yael, who practises idolatry, and who makes quite a name for herself amongst the Samaritans with her reading of the stars. She gets into trouble on more tha one occasion but he is determined to save her at all costs. The Samaritans do not respect life the way the Jews do, which is seen in the way they leave Raisa's baby girl to die and the way they avenge wrongs.
Interaction with the local population, particularly with the Samaritans who mix idolatry with Jewish religion, causes problems for many of the new settlers, especially for the unruly and undisciplined Yael.
There is much opposition from the local inhabitants to the rebuilding of the Temple, and some of the Jews are fearful and ready to compromise in order to keep the peace. We see the importance of obedience and we also see that, when God tells us to do something, He will not only give us the ability to do it but will also open the way before us.
The characters are well portrayed. Many of them struggle with leaving their old life behind and starting afresh in a new place without very much. The importance of forgiveness and of letting go of the past is emphasized. We see many of them coming to know God as a loving Father, full of compassion and mercy, and not just as the God of judgment. The importance of knowing the Word and of prayer and putting God first is also emphasized. The promise of redemption from sin obtained through the Temple sacrifices is brought out clearly. Whilst God requires obedience to His Law, He wants His children to be merciful and compassionate rather than legalistic with one another.
I especially like the way the book follows the Scriptures and the incorporation of the prophecies of Daniel, Haggai and Zechariah. It is a lovely story and well worth reading. I can highly recommend this book.





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