Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Title: The Crimson Cord: Rahab’s Story
Publication Date: 2015
Number of Pages: 362 (paperback)
Geographical Setting: Middle East, West Bank - Jericho
Time Period: Bronze Age 16th century BC
Series: Book 1 of the Daughters of the Promised Land. Book 2 - The Prophetess, Book 3 - Redeeming Grace, Book 4 - A Passionate Hope
Plot Summary: Because of the gambling debts of her husband, Rahab finds herself sold into slavery as a prostitute in the wealthy city of Jericho. Struggling to keep her mind and her dignity in-spite of her profession, she lives with a hope that somehow, life can get better, but will it? Two Hebrew spies promise to save her and her family if she would just keep their secret. Meanwhile, one of the Hebrew spies wonders if he has done the right thing by bargaining with a prostitute. He despises her profession and judges her harshly, but he can’t seem to keep his mind off of her. Will regret the day made a deal with the unclean?
Appeal: I LOVE Bible stories. I know that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but these stories are so rich with meaning when reading them directly from the scriptures. You could spend alot of time on any one story and constantly find more meaning with each new reading. The story of Rahab is taken from second chapter of the book of Joshua in the old testament. Her story is told in only a few short verses, but Jill Eileen Smith has taken this short story and expanded it to entice the imagination about the historical setting, the life of women, and love within Rahab’s story. What makes Rahab’s Biblical story even more significant is that she is one of only a few women listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
Although based on a Biblical story, historical fiction lovers, romance lovers, and women’s lit lovers alike will find this story interesting and entertaining. I also highly recommend checking out the second chapter of Joshua for some back ground and Matthew 1:2 for her part in the line of Jesus.
Subject Headings: Women of the Bible-Fiction. History of Biblical Events. Women in the Bible. Rahab (Biblical Figure)- Fiction. Siege of Jericho-History.