Tokens of Promise

Tokens of Promise by Teresa Pollard is a story about Judah and Tamar.  When Judah comes to Tamar’s defense, he knows he can’t just walk away from her.  But he is married and has vowed to have only one wife.  So he gives her to his eldest son, Er.  Er is an evil young man who puts his needs and desires first.  Although Ruah is in love with him, he decides he must have Tamar for his own.  Tamar admits her love to Judah, but the wedding still takes place.  It is anything but a romantic night, which ends in tragedy.  Her second marriage is no less tragic.  She returns to her father to await Shelah coming of age.  Will her marriage to Judah’s third son also end in disaster?  You’ll have to read to find out!

What a novel!  It starts with a bang and speeds along toward a gripping climax scene.  I found the book hard to put down.  There were quite a few surprises that I didn’t see coming.  The author weaved fiction and nonfiction masterfully.

This novel is definitely for a mature reader.  At times I felt like I was reading a secular romance novel.  (I’m ashamed to admit I read them before I became a Christian.)  Some things didn’t need to be painted so vividly for the reader. 

There were also a couple times when the story strayed from the Biblical account.  I don’t believe we should re-write Scripture.  It’s perfect the way it is!

All in all, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book through BookCrash.

God Is Awesome

God revealed Himself in Genesis again and again.  And He didn’t just do that for Abraham.  The beauty of the Bible is it was written for ALL people.  We can all benefit from what is found between its pages.  Just approach it with a heart for learning.  We have a wonderful Teacher! 

Genesis 17

122)  The Lord appeared to Abram again when he was 99 years old.  (I wonder if Abram ever got used to that.  How could he?)

123)  The Lord said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.  I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

124)  God said, “You will be the father of many nations.”  (He had already decided this.)

125)  God gave Abram a new name — Abraham.

126)  God said He would establish His covenant as an everlasting covenant between Him and Abraham’s descendants for generations to come.  (God’s promises last!)

127)  The Lord would be Abraham’s God and the God of his descendants.  (We’re supposed to share our God with our children!)

128)  God gave the whole land of Canaan to Abraham as an everlasting possession for him and his descendants.  (God gives good gifts!)

129)  God also gave Sarai a new name — Sarah.

130)  God said He would bless Sarah and give Abraham a son by her.  He was to call his son Isaac.  (Children are a blessing from God.)

131)  God said He would also bless Ishmael.  Ishmael would be the father of twelve rulers, and God would make him into a great nation.  But His covenant would be established with Isaac.

132)  When God had finished speaking with Abraham, He went up from him (to heaven?).