The Sword and the Sundial

In this historical fiction story by Phyllis S. Prokop, we will experience a little bit of everyday life in ancient Judah, a land rampant with idol worship and caught in between two ancient world superpowers, Assyria and Syria. King Ahaz is worried about defending Jerusalem and he calls out to Molech for protection; however,  his son Hezekiah has a much better protection.

Hezekiah has long believed that the God of Isaiah the prophet is real and powerful, but under his father's heavy hand, idols are built around the city and human sacrifices to Molech are a common practice. Then, as the looming Syrians threaten to attack, King Ahaz announces a special sacrifice is to be made. This sacrifice must not be ordinary so it must be of royal blood: Hezekiah's baby brother, Michael! The boy won't let his brother be burned alive so in the dead of  night Hezekiah and his mother slip over the wall with the baby in an attempt to save him.

This was an excellent book, full of Bible history with a good amount of fiction mixed in. I would recommend this book to anyone over ten. The story has just the right balance of drama, history, and even a bit of romance. It is a wonderful story that everyone will enjoy - a story of trust, wrong choices and God's everlasting grace.

*****
RJ