About the book:
Title: By The Waters of Babylon
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: McPherson Publishing
When Babylon destroys Jerusalem, as Yahweh warned through his prophets, the captives' bitterness and grief pours out in the Captives' Psalm:
"[By the rivers of Babylon] we sat as exiles, mourning our captivity, and wept with great love for Zion. Our music and mirth were no longer heard, only sadness. We hung up our harps on the willow trees." (Psalm 137:1-2, The Passion Translation)
A young Israelite woman is among them, captured by a mercenary Scythian prince. Driven toward Babylon by both hatred and hope, she endures captivity to reunite with her husband.
But will he be there when she reaches Babylon? Will the prince risk the Scythian throne--and his life--to believe in the Hebrew God? Can they both find what they seek when they meet the prophet Ezekial. . . by the rivers of Babylon?
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About Mesu Andrews:
Mesu grew up with a variegated Christian heritage. With grandparents from the Pilgrim Holiness, Nazarene, and Wesleyan Churches, her dad was a Quaker and mom charismatic. As you might imagine, God was a central figure in most family discussions, but theology was a battlefield and Scripture the weapon. As a rebellious teenager, Mesu rejected God and His Word, but discovered Jesus as a life-transforming Savior through the changed life of an old friend.
The desire for God's Word exploded with her new commitment, but devotional time was scarce due to the demands of a young wife and mother. So Mesu scoured the only two theology books available--children's Bible stories and her Bible. The stories she read to her daughters at night pointed her to the Bible passages she studied all day. She became an avid student of God's Word, searching historical and cultural settings as well as ancient texts and original languages.
Mesu and her husband Roy have raised those two daughters and now enjoy a tribe of grandkids, who get to hear those same Bible stories. Mesu's love for God's Word has never waned. She now writes biblical novels, rich with spiritual insight learned through fascinating discoveries in deep historical research.
Mesu writes in their log cabin tucked away in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Her best friend is an American Staffordshire Terrier named Zeke, who keeps her company on long writing days. Zeke also enjoys watching movies, long walks in the woods, and sitting by the fireplace on rainy days.
My Thoughts:
As par for the course with a biblical story from Mesu Andrews I learn something that I didn't know. I can't tell you how many times I've read Psalm 137 yet I had no idea that the background of this Psalm has to do with the Babylon captivity after the fall of Jerusalem. This is the time period where Nebuchadnezzar rules and wreaks havoc on the Jewish people. Mind you they wouldn't have been in this vulnerable situation if they had not disobeyed God and intermarried people who worshiped pagan gods. I became immediately connected Merari and Idan's story.
My Bottom Line:
Using her skill as a novelist Mesu Andrews takes biblical fact and weaves a story that touches your heart, makes you think, and most of all teaches you. You will recognize names like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In this novella, Ms. Andrews packs tons of emotions, and knowledge into this 200 page novella. I loved how Ms. Andrews placed scripture at the beginning of each chapter, that really added to the overall feel of the story. My heart and mind are still processing everything I read in this book, and I know I will re-read it because I probably missed a few things.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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