Thursday, August 19, 2021

About the Book

Book: Rahab’s Courage

Author: Naomi Craig

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: August 17, 2021

A scarlet cord tethers one ruined woman to the salvation of mankind.

Harboring two fugitives in a city slated for destruction, Rahab has one small chance of escape. In exchange for their safety, she bargains for her own. Their agreement rewards her courage, and she flees Jericho and a life of prostitution for a new life among the people of Israel. Never again will she have to depend on anyone—especially men.

Except Salmah won’t take the hint.

High ranking soldier and leader of the tribe of Judah, Salmah is determined not to repeat his parents’ mistakes. He will keep the Lord’s commandments. Rahab’s growing faith fits right in with phase one of his plans: find a wife who loves the Lord and settle down in the new land.

Rahab finds shelter and meaning in the Lord’s ways until her past comes back to haunt her. As her new faith is put to test, she finds herself alone. Isn’t that what she’d always wanted?

With her courage waning, only the Lord can turn Rahab’s life around again, but will He do it before she loses everyone and everything that really matters to her—to her heart?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Naomi writes Historical Fiction set in Bible times.
She lives in a small town in the south-eastern mountains of Arizona
She is an avid reader, Pastor’s wife, and homeschool mom.

More from Naomi

Matthew 1:4b-6a (NKJV)

Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.

On the brink of war and conquering the Promised Land, The Israelites stand fierce and determined, ready to see God’s victory. This time they will not waiver. This time, obedience will be their theme. But it wasn’t always that the Israelites stood with resolve as strong as Jericho’s impenetrable walls.

Rewind forty years. The Israelites have just been delivered from slavery in Egypt. 12 spies were sent into the land and brought back a good report. There were bountiful crops peace and giants.

Nahshon, as the leader of Judah (Numbers 2:3), should have been influential in his tribe’s decision to trust the Lord—especially since Caleb one of the two who trusted, was from Judah. Yet nobody believed. They all grumbled. So instead of what should have been a quick journey, it took forty years.

And the entire generation couldn’t enjoy the benefits of trusting God and His promise.

Enter Salmah.

He sees the penalty of his father’s disobedience. It shapes his life he adheres to the ways of the Lord. Plague after disobedience hardens his resolve. He will obey the laws of the Lord so it will go well with him in the new land.

So what is a man with this moral stature doing with a Canaanite? A harlot? Every sordid detail that makes up Rahab goes against his moral fiber.

But faith.

Faith that was spoken about all the way into the New Testament. Rahab steps out in sacrificial faith to a God she doesn’t yet know, for strangers who have no reason to trust her.

As such, the Lord honored her faith. As He does when you and I step out on that limb because we’ve felt that stirring in our soul.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Not only did the Lord spread His mantle of protection over Rahab, He also saw fit to include her in the lineage of His Son, Jesus.

Rahab’s Courage is a love story. A story of stepping out in faith. Of changing expectations of yourself and others. Of how the Lord can redeem and use any who are willing to put off the old and become that new creation.

***The scripture is clear that Rahab is a harlot. Due to the nature of this life, this story addresses prostitution, rape, and post traumatic stress. Please use caution with younger readers and if these subjects would act as a trigger for you. If Rahab’s Courage was a movie, it would have a rating of PG-13

MY REVIEW

The author has a gift that swept me back to Biblical times and made me feel part of the story. The details are good and follow the true story almost perfectly. I enjoyed being reminded how faithful God is and how He looks after His people. This story is one that I have always remembered because it shows how anyone can be used by God.

Rahab is not thought of very well in her village and most know what she does. She does show strength and I liked that she was not afraid to help out men who were her enemies. What if you were in the position to hide someone? Would you do it or turn your back on them? The risk that Rahab takes is courageous and admirable. In that moment she sets herself apart from sin to help those who could harm her.

I liked reading how she wanted to change and learn the ways of Yahweh. Her thirst for knowledge keeps her moving forward. She wants to be forgiven and feel like she is worthy to be in His presence. Her past is hard to read about and as the author warns readers, the story may be rated as PG 13. She does describe some hard situations but it is not graphic but points out how Rahab had been treated most of her life.

Salmah is definitely attracted to Rahab but he hesitates in showing his feelings to her. He wanted to take his time and allow Rahab to know more about Yahweh. I liked following their story and watching their relationship grow. Not everyone is pleased with this turn of events and there were some who gossiped and said unkind things about this woman who they feel should not be forgiven. It is hard for Salmah to look at Rahab after the attack and my heart went out to this woman. I know what it feels like to be ashamed, abandoned and discarded. Rahab wants so desperately to be a part of a family, to be loved and accepted.

I loved this story of redemption and unconditional love. It reminds me how we should never judge others and always love each other. Her walk was hard and it shows how much God loves each of us. Sometimes we need to forgive ourselves in order to accept what God has for us. He used a woman who many felt was unclean and transformed her into a woman who desired to serve God.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.