Love In A Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews, Book review

Publisher: Revell (March 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0800721695

Synopsis:


Hosea has been charged by God with a difficult task--marry a prostitute in order to show God's people the nature and depth of his love for Israel. When Hosea goes to Israel to proclaim God's message, the prostitute God tells him to marry turns out to be his childhood friend Gomer. He finds her broken and abused, unwilling to trust Hosea or his God. But when marrying Hosea becomes her only choice, Gomer does what she's good at--she survives. Can Hosea's love for God and God's love for Israel heal Gomer's broken spirit?

With her potent combination of in-depth research and masterful storytelling, Mesu Andrews brings to life a complex and fascinating biblical story of the power of love and forgiveness in the face of utter betrayal.

My thoughts:

Once before I had the experience of reading and reviewing Mesu Andrews' exquisite work ( Love's Sacred Song - See review HERE) and I can but only marvel at the incredible research and dedication involved in these novels! 

This author's  penmanship is above and beyond the usual historical fiction perhaps because it is first and foremost based on the Old Testament, not the easiest subject to speculate upon. Yes, we have the Scriptures but these are not always easy to understand.
To say that as a student of the Word I have little knowledge of this biblical chronology is an understatement but like others, I am curious and I wish to learn. To help us understand better her story Mesu Andrews 'Note to the Reader' and the Prophets and Kings genealogic chart should not be missed!

Mesu Andrews' works of fiction gives a vivid and colourful approach to biblical history, allowing us to perceive a little of the lives of the men and women who roamed the land of Israel in these ancient times.
Her intricate details gives an unsurpassed approach to biblical life and thus gives us immensible understanding of Yahweeh's hopes and dreams for His people. 
It was a time for prophecies, persecusions and much abuse in Israel. I stress this as I always feel the Old Testament must surely be written in another language (of course it was, no pun intended), incomprehensible for many believers surely?!

In 'Love In A Broken Vessel' we meet Hosea, a lesser prophet, never the less the voice of Yahweeh reaching out to His people and help redress their many faults. Like other prophets he lives in Tecoa, a communal farm where like him, they learn to listen to God's word and do His work.

A tantalizing tale of love, forgiveness and also redemption, 'Love in a Broken Vessel' speaks of Isaaiah, Jonah, King Uzziah's and God's judgment upon the many tribes of Israel. The cruelty in ancient biblical times, always difficult to grasp for me, is reflected in Mesu's novel from its beginning and perhaps better suited to mature readers.

Yahweeh's bride choice for Hosea is alluring Gomer, a childhood friend turned harlot. Married and now living in Judah , Gomer feels bitterness, betrayal, and continuous heartbreak as Hosea pursues Yahweeh's work leaving her alone for many moons. She spends her time learning the art of pottery at which she excells but feeling abandonned she returns to prostitution before long. 

Secretly, Gomer also continues to revere the idol Asherah and soon her prayers to the fertility goddess comes to pass and she bears children. She lives for Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah and dreams of saving enough silver as an harlot to leave Hosea's village. 

Mesu's story reminds us that there is redemption and hope for us if we truly believe. In Gomer's own words: "If Yahweh can take a life as broken as mine and restore it, perhaps there is a way to redeem other broken vessels."

An exceptional fictional rendition of lesser known facts of the Old Testament, 'Love in a Broken Vessel' is a novel historical and biblical students will appreciate whilst also being an amazing love story you will remember for a very long time. 

There is no doubt there can only be a 5 Stars rating for such a work of love. Mesu Andrews is in a class by herself!

“Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

 About the Author:

Mesu Andrews is the author of Love Amid the Ashes and Love's Sacred Song. Winner of the 2012 ECPA award for Best New Author, she is an active speaker who has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture. Harnessing her deep understanding and love for God's Word, Andrews brings the biblical world vividly alive for her readers.

Note to Readers from the Publisher:

If you have any  questions for Mesu Andrews, or just want to say hello, Revell is hosting an Author Café, an hour chat with Mesu, on Wednesday 20 March at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT .
We would love for you to join the party on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/revellbooks)! Plus we’re giving away a signed book to one lucky participant! 


See you there!


I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.