Biblical Fiction

Review: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

Goodreads blurb: 

Can a Canaanite harlot who has made her livelihood by looking desirable to men make a fitting wife for one of the leaders of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible's answer is yes. Pearl in the Sand tells Rahab's untold story. Rahab lives in a wall; her house is built into the defensive walls of the City of Jericho. Other walls surround her as well--walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness.

A woman with a wrecked past; a man of success, of faith...of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another's worth and find healing in God.

My Review: 5 stars

Tessa Afshar uniquely brings the story of Rahab to life as takes us on an emotional, incredible journey of healing that didn't happen overnight. I loved seeing the way God showed a proud yet broken zonah that she was loved, seen, and known by Him. Despite her past, she was still His treasure- His precious pearl. In the book, Rahab was just 14 years old when she was sold into prostitution by her father. One can only imagine the psychological and physical afflictions that she had to bear so young. But God, rich in mercy called out to her, a gentile like I am! I marveled at the way she drew close to God and responded with such faith and longing. 

The thought of a god of compassion did something to her heart. A longing came upon her that almost brought her to tears. A longing for someone to look upon her suffering and care enough to rescue her.

It felt like I was witnessing a miracle unfolding- the way the Lord took her stony heart and turned it into a heart of flesh, on fire for Him. Salmone, her husband is seen as a loyal, protective leader of the tribe of Judah. He struggled to welcome Rahab and her family and deemed her past to be unforgivable. For Salmone, it didn't seem believable for Rahab to change so much. Surely she would still go back to her ways and shame Israel! How could Joshua allow such a thing? It was beautiful to see the way he transitioned from looking through his eyes to looking through God's. Rahab and Salmone's story teaches us the power of forgiveness, kindness, and acceptance. It brings to light how hard it is for us as humans, to let go of our views and how there is power in surrendering to His will. I loved the way how Tessa didn't just knit together a happily ever after and call it quits. The story continues even after their marriage. With complicated pasts, judgments, and suppressed fears, Rahab and Salmone work together to put aside differences and yield to divine wisdom. 

For me, Pearl in the Sand was very…confronting. It revealed some of my own deep hurts, that I thought I buried. The walls I've built around myself are as tall as Jericho’s. I was confronted to let go of my troubles and hand them over to One who sees it all. 
 
As he started to pray, a picture of Jericho rose up in his mind. The walls of Jericho— enormous, daunting, ancient—filled his mind with unusual clarity. This is Rahab, he thought. She is bound up in so many walls—walls of fear, of rejection, of loneliness, of unworthiness. 

Tessa's writing once again reminded me that no matter how haunting my past may be, the walls will seamlessly crumble the moment He commands peace. God spared me like He did Rahab from my sins. His light has paved paths that I never knew existed. Tessa's book beautifully illustrated the force of Joshua's army, the fall of Jericho, and the battle of Ai. Every page and every chapter manifested how merciful and gracious Yahweh is. Pearl in the Sand contained many valuable lessons, and to name them all would be another post in itself. On a side note, I absolutely loved how she used a pearl to symbolise Rahab's story! A pearl is used to denote great suffering or loss which fits right in with Rahab's experiences. I highly recommend this book and it is deserving of all 5 stars and more!  

 Age rating: 16+ Due to the nature of Rahab's past, there is some mature content. However, it has been dealt with gracefully and respectfully.

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