UPDATE: Check out the comments for one from Francine Rivers herself!
I am an avid Francine Rivers reader. I have read every book, and am looking forward to the new ones. Lately, I have begun to question where pride/racism first began to take root. (I know the answer...it's sin, but I want a more detailed answer : )
In Rivers' series on Biblical women, she has reminded me that 3 of the 5 women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus Christ are foreigners: Tamar, Rahab and Ruth. These women were not daughters of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Bathsheba and Mary were the other two.) They sought after God in their own way, with what little knowledge they had. Of course, God saw their faith and led these women to His chosen people. If God often chooses to use those who are from "outside the camp" then why did His people ever adopt the idea that those who are "inside the camp" are more privy to His love? With all the news about Israel right now, and the recent comments made by Mel Gibson - I am thinking about this anti-Semitic attitude. Where did it come from in the first place? God never said that His laws and His love were only for the Hebrew/Jewish/Israelite nation. Biblical history, in fact, includes men and women from other nations who were active participants in the formation of the Israelite nation.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and any book that helps me to learn more about Him catches my attention. These books by Francine Rivers, have not only captured my attention but they have rekindled my love for the Hebrew scriptures. There is so much to gain from the Old Testament. I am so thankful for His Word which is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
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www.francinerivers.com
this comment is from Francine Rivers (I contacted her via her website, and here was her response...)
Thank you for sending your blog.
Pride always separates us from God, doesn't it? The Lord always meant
His message to be for the
nations. He told Abraham he would be a great blessing. I've believed
that that blessing was not
only the eventual birth of the Messiah through his line, but living a
godly life. The Laws God
gave to the Jews were meant to protect people from sin.
I love the Scriptures that show how the barriers come down when we
embrace Christ and live IN and
THROUGH Him. There is neither Gentile nor Jew, male or female, slave
or freeman. We are one in
Christ. He brings us together in Him to become one family under God.
Francine
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