By the Waters of Babylon by Mesu Andrews

September 27, 2018

Title: By the Waters of Babylon
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: McPherson Publishing
Pages: 200
ISBN: 9781732443617
Publication Date: August 1st, 2018

About the Book:
When Babylon destroys Jerusalem, as Yahweh warned through his prophets, the captives' bitterness and grief pours out in the Captives' Psalm


"[By the rivers of Babylon] we sat as exiles, mourning our captivity, and wept with great love for Zion. Our music and mirth were no longer heard, only sadness. We hung up our harps on the willow trees." (Psalm 137:1-2, The Passion Translation)

A young Israelite woman is among them, captured by a mercenary Scythian prince. Driven toward Babylon by both hatred and hope, she endures captivity to reunite with her husband.
But will he be there when she reaches Babylon? Will the prince risk the Scythian throne--and his life--to believe in the Hebrew God? Can they both find what they seek when they meet the prophet Ezekial. . . by the rivers of Babylon?
My Thoughts:
I have loved Mesu Andrews' books for years! She is an author I anxiously await  any new book from and I re-read all of her books. I've gotten my hooked on her books as well. It was safe to say, I was quite excited when I heard that she was coming out with her first ever novella! I love a well paced shorter story.

Mesu's books are always full of well researched details and Biblical truths with her fictional characters woven into the story. She has a way of crafting a story and making you want to go and research and read what is written about in the Bible. By the Waters of Babylon is no different.

The setting of By the Water's of Babylon starts of in Jerusalem, during the siege of of Nebuchadnezzar. He proclaims he is the king of the world and he is being used by God to serve justice on his fallen people. It is a hard time. Bad things happen. So much so, the ones holding the siege are shocked at the depravity has gone on in the walls. Mesu is able to tell this story, in a truthful and descriptive way, but not grotesque.

We see the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple. We follow the captives as they are hauled off before the king and the higher officials are issued their justice from Nebuchadnezzar. We follow the captives as they are taken to the cities where the Jewish settles have been started in 3 provinces. And in the process, we are introduced to Meshack, Shadrack, and Abendego.  We hear of their story and the awe it brings to the people.

I loved reading about them in this story and the life that comes from everything they had dealt with.

The story was a novella, but it still held the depth and emotional connection as a a full length novel.

The audio for this book was performed very well. I will admit it took a little getting used to a guy narrating the story, but it didn't take long at all. With the story being half told through a man's eyes it really gave it more depth hearing it.

If you are a fan of Biblical fiction this story is very much for you!

5 out of 5

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