Connilyn Cossette's "Wings of the Wind" - a new look at the journey to the Promised Land

In the final Out from Egypt book, Alannah, a Canaanite woman, fully intends to sacrifice herself on the battlefield taking revenge against the Hebrews that slew her family. However, she wakes up only to have been rescued by a Hebrew and offered the protection of his name. Tobiah had no intention of marrying the woman he found among the dead, but it was the best--and most lawful--way to keep her safe. But will she choose to stay with him, in a completely foreign culture, or return to Canaan?

One thing to be said for this series, the books really make you think. I don't know how many times I've read the account of the Hebrews' journey through the wilderness and the battle of Jericho, yet the author has brought out details that I've normally glossed over without realizing their full implications. The basis for the story is a law on the treatment of captive women and the full implications of it in the current Canaanite culture--a culture that had no respect for women. Looking at how God has continually cherished and provided for women from the very beginning, I don't see how anyone can label God sexist. People, yes; but God, no.

The story went in a different direction than I was expecting, which turned out to be a most pleasant surprise. Even when things were looking bleak, there was always hope--for Yahweh to come through, for Alannah and Tobiah's relationship, and for survival in a hostile land. I'm a bit of a stickler for sticking to biblical fact, so the connection to Rahab . . . doesn't bother me, per say, but doesn't sit wholly comfortably either. But as the author points out, Rahab's willingness shelter the Hebrew spies and trust their God must have stemmed from somewhere, and this is one possible explanation. And if nothing else, the author certainly tells it with flair--I can't complain about that!

Adventure, romance, and an abiding faith make for both and entertaining and powerful read.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for a free e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Out from Egypt
1. Counted with the Stars
2. Shadow of the Storm
3. Wings of the Wind

Related series:
Cities of Refuge
1. A Light on the Hill
2. Shelter of the Most High (October 2018)