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Shadow of the Storm (Out From Egypt)
by Connilyn Cossette - I jumped at the chance to read the second novel in this series because I truly loved the first one, Counted With the Stars, which told about the plagues in Egypt and the Exodus from the point of view of a young Egyptian woman. In that story, the Egyptian slave, Kiya, is befriended by a Hebrew girl named Shira, and escapes Egypt with Shira's family. This second book in the series tells Shira's story, and it is just as moving and thought-provoking.
by Connilyn Cossette - I jumped at the chance to read the second novel in this series because I truly loved the first one, Counted With the Stars, which told about the plagues in Egypt and the Exodus from the point of view of a young Egyptian woman. In that story, the Egyptian slave, Kiya, is befriended by a Hebrew girl named Shira, and escapes Egypt with Shira's family. This second book in the series tells Shira's story, and it is just as moving and thought-provoking.
Shira and her family left Egypt during the Exodus, taking Kiya and her family with them. They are with the multitude of Hebrews and other peoples at the foot of Mount Sinai, as Yahweh is forming them into a nation of his chosen people. While Mosheh is on top of the mountain, many of the people begin to rebel and worship a golden calf. The midwife needs emergency help and Shira offers her assistance, and finds the experience so compelling that she feels it's her calling and she defies her mother's wishes to become an apprentice midwife. Later, though, a delivery goes wrong, and Shira blames herself when the mother dies. Even worse, she finds out that the woman was the wife of her brother's friend, Ayal, who had been acting as if he was considering making a betrothal offer for her.
Shira feels betrayed and ashamed, and continues to feel guilty as if the woman's death was her fault. But the woman's dying request had been for Shira to care for her baby, and so she does. Little by little she accepts the midwife's advice to tell and seek the truth boldly, and as she does she finds her way towards trusting Ayal and herself once more. But another midwife apprentice, Dvorah, wants to claim Ayal for herself, and will do whatever she must to find security for herself and her son, even if it means destroying Shira.
This novel explores some of the harsher aspects of life for the Hebrews as they learn to trust and obey Yahweh, even when they don't understand, and the chaos and conflicts that must have often erupted as these former slaves were forged into a unified nation. At the same time, on a deeply personal level, Shira and Ayal deal with their own battles to trust and to forgive, and to overcome the pain of the past while following the call of Yahweh.
From the publisher:
Shira feels betrayed and ashamed, and continues to feel guilty as if the woman's death was her fault. But the woman's dying request had been for Shira to care for her baby, and so she does. Little by little she accepts the midwife's advice to tell and seek the truth boldly, and as she does she finds her way towards trusting Ayal and herself once more. But another midwife apprentice, Dvorah, wants to claim Ayal for herself, and will do whatever she must to find security for herself and her son, even if it means destroying Shira.
This novel explores some of the harsher aspects of life for the Hebrews as they learn to trust and obey Yahweh, even when they don't understand, and the chaos and conflicts that must have often erupted as these former slaves were forged into a unified nation. At the same time, on a deeply personal level, Shira and Ayal deal with their own battles to trust and to forgive, and to overcome the pain of the past while following the call of Yahweh.
From the publisher:
In the darkness of the storm's shadow, only truth can light her way.
Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mount Sinai. When the people rebel by worshipping a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to assist a midwife. When the experience awakens a new desire in her, she defies her mother's wish for her to continue in the family weaving trade and pursues her heart's calling as an apprentice midwife.
But when a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself in an impossible situation and bound to a man who betrayed her. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira comes face to face with the long-hidden pain of her past. Can she let go of all that has defined her to embrace who she truly is and believe in a hopeful future?
Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mount Sinai. When the people rebel by worshipping a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to assist a midwife. When the experience awakens a new desire in her, she defies her mother's wish for her to continue in the family weaving trade and pursues her heart's calling as an apprentice midwife.
But when a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself in an impossible situation and bound to a man who betrayed her. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira comes face to face with the long-hidden pain of her past. Can she let go of all that has defined her to embrace who she truly is and believe in a hopeful future?
By the same author: Counted With the Stars
Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.
by Mary Connealy - without much time for reading, I may have read only one chapter in this.
by Dinah Jefferies - and unfortunately, didn't get anything done on this one during the week. I'm hoping to get back at it this coming week, if time allows. I borrowed this from the library, so if I can't renew it when it comes due, I may not be able to finish.
by Maureen Lang
by MaryLu Tyndall
by MaryLu Tyndall
