Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is one of the number one books for women. Ever. And men, in my opinion. Although I read and loved this book when it first came out and have been recommending it ever since, I decided to pull it out and read it again. I can honestly say that if I could have stayed awake all night and day, I would have read it without ceasing. Rivers capacity for storytelling is unrivaled. The story of Angel and Michael Hosea is one of the most compelling, profound, tender and beautiful stories I have ever read. I was on the edge of my seat the whole read, and I knew how it would end.
I find myself amazed by not only, Rivers’ beautiful portrayal of the retelling of the book of Hosea, but even more, by the beauty of the story itself. In the book of Hosea, the Lord uses the story of the prophet, Hosea, and the prostitute, Gomer, to illustrate His neverending, far-reaching and sacrificing love for us, His people. Hosea is told by God to marry Gomer. She leaves him over and over again. And he continues to pursue and bring her home.
The same is true in Redeeming Love. When Michael Hosea, a farmer who loves the Lord, is told by God that Angel is who he is to marry, he sets about the seemingly insurmountable task of courting, marrying and redeeming her, the prostitute, who despises and mistrusts all men. When she is almost killed by her boss, Michael rescues her the only way he can, by giving the Madam money to let Angel go. When Angel asks him how much he paid for her, his answer is, “Everything I had.” So does our Heavenly Father rescue us. As Michael and Angel learn what it means to love each other, they both come face to face with overwhelming understanding of what redemption means. And WHO brings it.
If you read one book this year, this is the one.
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