★★★★
Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.
While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?
Author Jill Eileen Smith transports her readers back to the 1800’s BC in the Middle East, where she skillfully elaborates on Joseph’s story that’s already documented in the Bible’s Book of Genesis. Faithfulness, jealousy, forgiveness, persistence, suffering, and unrelenting love are some of the themes that transcend the centuries from Egypt to modern-day America and beyond.
As Jacob’s favored son, Joseph was resented by his older half-brothers. Joseph’s arrogance did little to help his situation. As many siblings may fantasize to do, Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph into slavery to get rid of him. Joseph’s life seemed to be doomed to slavery and imprisonment, but he’d been promised by God that he’d rule over his brothers someday. How was that possible?
Jacob and Joseph’s stories are very detailed in the Bible and Ms. Smith follows the Biblical account accurately. Her additional storylines and detail paint a plausible and interesting picture of a family torn apart. God’s grace, faithfulness, and redemption shine through all the angst, betrayal, and heartbreak that Jacob’s family endured.
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Who would enjoy this book:
Anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction would enjoy this story. Anyone who feels lost, betrayed, or forgotten might gain solace from Joseph’s struggles, ultimate triumph, and seeing the eventual fulfillment of God’s promise.
How this book affected me:
I read fiction sparingly as a mental vacation from nonfiction books and The Prince and The Prodigal was a pleasurable vacation getaway for my soul. I’m not a huge history person, but I enjoyed being transported to a Biblical day and time and appreciating that life struggles and God’s blessings haven’t changed in the centuries that separate us from Joseph and his family.
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