Recent Reads - Until the Mountains Fall

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Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette - The third novel in the Cities of Refuge series continues the story of the family of Darek and Moriyah as their children have grown. Their son Gidal has died, leaving behind a young widow, Rivkah. Since there were no children, the Levitical law prescribes that Gidal's brother should marry the widow in order to preserve the family line. Malakhi agrees to the betrothal, out of his desire to honor his brother's memory, and because he has long admired Rivkah. Rivkah, however, is still grieving and thinks of Malakhi as the annoying younger brother, so she balks at the betrothal. She resents Malakhi and tries to get him to back out of the arrangement.

Rivkah makes a friend at the marketplace who is also being forced into a marriage she does not want. Eventually Rivkah agrees to Nessa's invitation to run away and the two young women sneak out and go to a town where the Hebrew people are not faithfully following the Torah, thinking they can make it on their own there. Things don't turn out at all like they'd dreamed and Rivkah realizes how foolish her rebellion is too late.

Malakhi searches for Rivkah, along with his family and Rivkah's father, but without success, and as time passes, he completes military training and tries to rebuild his life. Finally Rivkah's father receives a message from his daughter, and it renews hope that she can be found and brought home. He asks Malakhi to go search once more, and this time he does find her, but she is bound as an indentured servant and her master won't allow her to purchase full freedom. So Malakhi decides to stay and wait for the end of her contract. When a foreign army comes against the city, will Malakhi and Rivkah be able to escape?

There are many similarities between this story and the parable of the prodigal son that Jesus tells in the New Testament. Rivkah's despair after losing her first husband, her stubborn rebellion at following the expectations of her family, and her naive belief that she can strike out on her own without consequences inspire sympathy and frustration. My heart broke for her, and for Malakhi as he faced Rivkah's rejection and refusal to see him for who he is. This is a story of faithful and sacrificial love, and of grace and forgiveness, but also gives fascinating insight into what life was like during this time period in Israel's history.

By the same author: Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

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