IN THE SHADOW OF JEZEBEL by MESU ANDREWS

IN THE SHADOW OF JEZEBEL is another historical novel by MESU ANDREWS that I can highly recommend, for enjoyment and suspense as well as for biblical content and Christian truth.
It is the love story between Jehosheba, Jezebel's step granddaughter, and Jehoiada, Judah's high priest, which mirrors Christ's love for His bride, the church.
There is a wealth of biblical fact blended with enough fiction to make the story flow, and the whole brings the story of 2 Chronicles chapters 21 to 23 vividly alive for the reader.
Jehosheba has been brought up by her stepmother, Athaliah, to be a priestess of Baal and is largely driven by fear. She loves her father, king Jehoram, and is horrified by the way he is treated by Athaliah when he is suffering. His sickness and death has been prophesied by Yahweh's prophet because he turned away from the ways of his godly father, Jehosaphat, and even killed all his brothers. Athaliah has no time for the God of Judah and uses sorcery and cruelty to get her own way. She wants to rule Judah, even as her mother, Jezebel, rules Israel. The description of life in the royal palace at the time is well portrayed - full of pomp and intrigue. It is contrasted with the simple life of the Temple priests and the poverty of the common people.
When the beautiful young Jehosheba marries the elderly High Priest, Jehoida, she has many issues due to her upbringing. We see Jehoida's infinite patience with his young bride which leads to her emotional healing when she turns to his God. We see the contrast between the godliness of Temple worship as opposed to the wickedness of pagan worship and between the fear that comes from Baal and his priests, and the fear of the Lord that leads to obedience. Sadly, even some of the Temple priests and Levites have been caught up in the lure of pagan pleasures and there are not many left for service in the Temple.
Jehoiada is strong physically and spiritually. He is awed when Yahweh speaks to him through the Urim and Thummim and also when He speaks to both him and Jehosheba. Yahweh will not be mocked and we see how His children triumph in the end. The seed of David is saved, as it has been prophesied. In the book this is also largely due to Jehosheba's fervour, faith and courage.
It is a wonderful story, beautifully told! In no way do the fiction elements detract from the truth of the story and I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad