Book Review:

Judah’s Wife

By Angela Hunt

Judah’s Wife by Angela Hunt was an enjoyable read, she kept my attention throughout. I am sure that somewhere in my theological studies I read or was taught about Judah Maccabees but not so memorable as this book. I enjoy reading historical fiction because it gives voice to characters who you would not normally read about in such an in depth manner. It causes you to think about who they were and what they contributed to history. I appreciate that Angela Hunt is bringing attention to the silent years.

Leah who was became Judah’s wife was just a young teenager when she married and moved to Modein with her new extended family. Shortly after marriage, when the destruction of Jerusalem began Judah went back to check on Leah’s parents to find that her father has been killed and her mother left for dead. Judah brought Leah’s mother back to Modein to his parent’s house where his mother nursed her back to health. Leah’s home life was tough and in many ways she sought to escape the abuse that her mother endured from her father. It was interesting as the book unfolded that Leah looked at her mother as weak and did not stand up to her father. But her mother in law reminded her that her mother took the abuse from her father to protect her because you would do anything you had to for your children. This upbringing affected Leah’s marriage and the way she viewed her husband especially as he became a warrior fighting battles. I loved the way Hunt explored this from Judah and Leah’s perspective and I enjoyed the way she developed a transformation in the way they interacted and felt about one another.

The theme of prayer runs through the book as Judah called on God and his help in fighting the battles. Leah’s view of prayer was transformed as a result and her whole attitude really changed as she sought to make peace with what her husband was doing. She went from being uninvolved and against what he was doing to being supportive and involved.

 

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martins Communications, Inc.”