KEEPERS OF THE COVENANT by LYNN AUSTIN

KEEPERS OF THE COVENANT is the latest biblical novel by LYNN AUSTIN and the second in the RESTORATION CHRONICLES series. It is the story of the second return of the Jews to Jerusalem, led by Ezra, with the story starting with Haman's plot to exterminate the Jews, and the Lord's deliverance brought about by Esther's obedience. I love the way the author gives us such an insight into life at that time, both in Babylon and in Jerusalem. She vividly describes the fear felt by the Jews when the king signs their death warrant, and their bravery and determination when they are allowed to defend themselves. The novel follows the biblical account closely and the fictional characters enhance the story without taking away from the truth in any way. I like the relevant Scriptures that are brought in in just the right places.
The Temple is built, the Temple sacrifices are taking place and the Jews are trying to live according to God's Holy Law. Again in this novel we see the struggle the men of God have with understanding that, although He is a God of judgment, He also is a God of mercy and compassion. He demands obedience, but this obedience leads to His incredible blessings!
The fact that God has promised to bless the Gentiles who turn away from pagan worship to the true worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is clearly brought out in Amina's case. This young girl, with her crippled leg, who has been rejected and beaten by her pagan family, finds love and acceptance in a Jewish family who adopt her and treat her with love. It is through their kindness that she comes to know and love their God. Her sister, Sayfah, on the other hand, still sees the Jews as the enemy of her people and returns to her pagan lifestyle. The beautiful cloth that Hodaya and Amina, the crippled ones, weave, is symbolic of the beauty of God's creation, and how He can bring beauty out of all things. Biblical truth is also brought out in the pottery made by Ezra's family. We are reminded of the fact that the Lord moulds and shapes us as we yield to Him. We must also allow Him to refine us in the fire, getting rid of impurities and not cracking under the strain.
Reuben is badly affected by his father's death and seeks revenge for his murder. He is a blacksmith and he and his father made weapons to fight against the Babylonians. He turns against God and it is Ezra's patience and kindness towards him that brings him once again into a living relationship with the Lord. Here we see the Lord using Ezra to give Reuben a second chance.
I love the way the characters interact with one another and the way they are influenced, for good or evil, by the circumstances in which they find themselves. Their return to Jerusalem is compared to their ancestors' journey to the promised land. Ezra is compared to Moses as he also has a problem with rebellious people - not all of them have his vision for Temple worship and the study of the Torah. Ezra's wife, Devorah, is a real helpmeet to him, as, not only does she have an understanding of the Torah, having studied it with her father, but she helps him to see God as merciful and compassionate.
The importance of the spiritual restoration of God's holy people, of not becoming contaminated by pagan practices, of separating themselves and not losing their inheritance, and of keeping God's laws, is strongly brought out. These are all aspects of our Christian walk today and it is in our obedience that we are blessed and become a blessing to others. This is the story of our salvation.
There is so much to learn from this novel, the story is beautifully told, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.





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SECOND OPINION, NECESSARY MEASURES & URGENT CARE by HANNAH ALEXANDER

SECOND OPINION, NECESSARY MEASURES and URGENT CARE by HANNAH ALEXANDER are novels that are not only interesting, exciting and well written, but are also full of biblical truth. I particularly like the way the author sees Jesus as the Great Physician. I highly recommend them being read in sequence, but they can be read as "stand alones".
Dr Grant Sheldon and his teenage twins, Beau and Brooke, have moved to Dogwood Springs from the big city, where Grant practises emergency medicine at the hospital. Although Grant's wife, Annette, died two years ago, the family still miss her terribly. When Grant shows an interest in Lauren, who works with him at the hospital, Brooke takes an instant dislike to her. This changes and Brooke becomes just as keen for Lauren lto become her stepmother as Lauren's mother does to see her thirty-six year old daughter married! Brooke and Beau are very different, with Beau being the more serious one who is keen to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a doctor, but the twins are very close and Brooke has a heart of gold under her loud and outgoing nature!
The novels cover a lot of from drug addiction amongst the youth and adults, the importance of forgiveness and of living one's Christian faith as opposed to legalism and getting bogged down in good works, and the dangers of criticism and bitterness. It is a small town community and rumours tend to be rife. We see how dangerous this can be. 
 The importance of family relationships is brought out strongly, and we see how Archer Pierce battles with the demands made on him by the church that he pastors and how it affects his relationship with the lovely Jessica Lane. 
The importance of putting God first in one's life, then one's spouse and children before other commitments like one's  work and church, is very well worked out by the author. The Lord wants all of us, body, soul and spirit, not just what is left over, even if our life is full of Christian service! Archer, in particular, realizes that without the Lord in his life he is nothing and can do nothing. This message comes through very strongly in the novels. We also see how different people react to the storms of life, and how they react better to love and understanding than a critical, "holier-than-thou" attitude.  Real friendship is shown between the Sheldon twins and Evan as well as between Lauren and Gina, to name a few, especially when Lauren is not afraid to warn Gina when she sees her about to make a fatal mistake by getting involved with a married man.
The characters are well portrayed.  They are real people with very real emotions, and we can relate to them and their struggles. 
I can highly recommend these novels and can't wait to read more books by this author.








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