Tessa Afshar

Dear Readers,
Biblical fiction is a tough genre to write in. Some people won't read it because you are "changing the Bible." Some people won't read it because "I have already read that story." I struggle with it because it can be so boring as some writers will just rewrite the Bible story with no changes to it and then expect us readers to like it.
The Biblical fiction I do like is because of the face it puts on the characters involved and brings the actually Bible story to life. Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar is that type of book for me. It really made me think more about Rahab and her story. Questions like, why was she a prostitute and what was she really like? came to mind.
The cover is what actually got me curious about this book in the first place but the subject matter is what made me want to read it. Rahab is one of only five women mentioned in Jesus' lineage. What earned her that right? It also made me realise that Jesus was not ashamed to mention her in his lineage.
Rahab was sold into prostitution by her father. It was a time of drought and famine in Jericho and her family was starving. They didn't see any other way to survive. In the years to follow Rahab continued on in the lifestyle that was chosen for her mostly because she figures no one else would want her anyways. That is until she hears about a country and their God who is laying waste to any country that stands against them. Bigger, stronger countries. The scarest thing is Jericho and Canaan are in the sights next.
I have often wondered why Rahab would betray her country. I am sure there was no great love for her country, but treason? Wow. But why? It had to have been a God thing. He knew the plans he had for her long before she even knew that He exsisted.
Once that country had destroyed her homeland why would she want to join them? They had killed off everyone and only saved her and her family because of a promise made to a couple of spies. Why trust them and why did they accept her?
Rahab's story is one of God's pursuit of us no matter what we have done, how he will and does use all of us and mostly it is the story of His forgiveness and love for us.
Happy Reading