I've said it once and I'll probably say it a thousand more times, I apologize for not updating when I say I will. Life has this ability to get away from me, and all of a sudden its almost 4 months after the post that said "check back this friday!". So here's yet another promise that I will legitimately attempt to keep; I'll sincerely try to update more.
So, A Voice in the Wind. Overall, I would like to just begin by saying that I adore anything penned by Francine Rivers. She doesn't sugar coat her writing. It feels real and intentional, and it speaks volumes to me.
Of course, this will contain spoilers, so if you have not read the book, (which I strongly suggest you purchase tomorrow morning as soon as your local bookstore opens) don't read on. I'll be posting my devotions soon. (Yes, I know you don't believe me..)
From the very beginning, Rivers draws you in by captivating your senses. Her writing style is very detailed of the setting without being redundant. I never feel like I have to wonder what the characters and seeing and feeling. Rivers makes sure that that isn't left to question.
The story begins in Judea, during a time when it was basically laid to waste by Rome. The spotlight is on a young Christian girl, Hadassah and her family, quickly being swept away from famine and persecution. Her father martyred for preaching the Gospel, and her family left to survive in Judea. Soon after, her mother passes, almost peacefully, as her body could no longer survive the struggle. This left Hadassah orphaned with her younger sister and older brother.
The plot thickens as Hadassah's home is rummaged by Romans. Her older brother was killed, but for a reason unknown to even the Roman soldier, Hadassah's life and the life of her sister were spared, and they were taken captive to be sold into slavery. Soon after, Hadassah's young sister passed away, leaving her alone.
Rivers outlines the horrific journey of slave trade that Hadassah lived until she was bought by a Jewish servant (she appeared Jewish, but unknown to him was a Christian) for his master's household.
Hadassah was now a slave in the Valerian household. This was a family of high standing in Rome, the patriarch, Decimus, being a prominent trade owner. His wife, Phoebe, was also a woman of gentle heart. The same, however, could not be said for his two children; Marcus and Julia.
Marcus was, what many today would coin him, a player. He had a way with women, and he was not shy about it. His character basically embodies all hedonism of Roman culture. Rivers doesn't leave out how attractive this man is, though..
Julia is sheltered. Her parents have her chomping at the bit for freedom and the taste of Rome. Her older brother's lifestyle does not alleviate this either. Shes been given everything she has ever wanted, but complete freedom, and she refuses to be satisfied until then.
Phoebe's wish was that Hadassah be given to Julia as her personal servant. Julia detested this notion. Hadassah was far from what Julia had in mind, and what her friends had. Little did she know Hadassah's loyalty.
Hadassah's life in Rome is a never ending strand of chaos around her, yet she seems to only draw closer and closer to the Savior with every hardship. She sees Julia through each tantrum with loving care, even when it meant blatant emotional abuse to herself. She loved Julia unconditionally. Could you imagine? What strength!
Julia married twice throughout the story, her first husband, old and marrying her because she looked like his late wife, gave up pursuing her, as she refused to acknowledge him. He then took innocent intellectual interest in Hadassah, specifically the fact that she was a Christian. His interest was merely scholarly rather than spiritual, which broke Hadassah's heart. Even worse, he was killed in an accident when he was en route to the Roman games to protect his wife, Julia.
All in the meantime Marcus, against everything he'd ever felt or thought, was uncontrollably falling in love with Hadassah. Rivers makes it a point for the reader to know that it was not physical attraction that drew Marcus to Hadassah, but something much deeper.
It is important to not leave out another integral character; Atretes. Seemingly unconnected to the other characters, Atretes is a German tribesman, highly honored and feared, who was captured during Rome's seige of Germania. He was sold from slave owner to slave owner, and quickly rose to the most honored of the Roman Gladiators. But his savage heart still beat for Germania...and Roman blood.
Julia's downward spiral began soon after the death of her first husband. Upon a new friendship with an almost cult-like woman Calabah, she meets her second husband, a dark souled, passionate man. Their marriage began as a romantic dream, but as time, and his gambling progressed, their lives turned upside down. He became abusive, once beating Hadassah, who gave herself to be beaten in the place of Julia. Julia also became pregnant, and knowing her husband would in fact abandon her, had an abortion at Calabah's counsel. Nothing seemed to improve in their marriage however, and her husband became more and more threatening, to the point where Julia feared for her life. And again, at the counsel of Calabah, Julia decided to end the marriage by ending the life of her abusive husband by poison.
At the second return home, Julia finds that her father has fallen increasingly ill, and is brought to his birthplace of Ephesus with the family, including Marcus, who would have never left home for anything. Almost anything.
In this time, Atretes was also sold to a ludus in Ephesus to fight.
Once the setting switches to Ephesus, the entire cast goes up in smoke. The patriarch, Decimus passes away, however accepting the gift of salvation from Christ on his deathbed through the testimony of Hadassah. Decimus, with his dying thoughts, places Hadassah's hand into Marcus' showing them his blessing. Sadly, Marcus seems to not fully understand this blessing..
Julia had a long infatuation for the gladiator Atretes, and as an animal on its pray, pounced on the opportunity to be with him in Ephesus. She disguised herself as a prostitute to lure him to her, and finally had a passionate, yet shallow physical relationship with him. He had intention to marry her and bring her to Germania with him when he gained his freedom. She however, wanted to establish her own freedom. While pregnant with Atretes' child, Julia makes a civil marriage to a homosexual friend of hers, so she could live in his home without losing her freedom to a man. Atretes did not understand in the least, and in a feeling of broken pride, rejects Julia and his unborn child.
Marcus planned every detail. He was going to marry Hadassah, for Julia had shown no interest in wanting to keep her as a servant, as her new "husband" detested her. In a passionate proposal, Marcus seeks Hadassah's hand in marriage, saying he "respected" her choice to worship "her god". Hadassah, with unspeakable strength says no to the man she has loved for years. She knew that God had not willed for her to marry an unbeliever. Marcus was furious.
As was Julia. She was furious that Hadassah could "embarrass" Marcus. She was merely a slave! And this time, without the counsel of Calabah, Julia made a grave decision for Hadassah. To send her to the lions in the arena.
Hadassah never fought Julia or her oppressors in this decision. She never doubted or recanted. She strode to the center of the arena and arms stretched to Heaven, sang praises to her Savior, even in facing death.
There is no way to give a "short summary" of this story. Every detail is so precious to the plot and meaning.
Hadassah...I want to be a Hadassah. Her inner monologs show how she felt inadequate to God, how she felt she constantly failed him. But I believe that I can speak for any reader in saying this; Hadassah never faltered. Faced by losing her family, she never cursed God. Faced by serving a monstrous, selfish young woman, she loved her with unconditional love, even when the same woman sent her to die. Faced by having to say no to a marriage with a man she had loved for years, she trusted in God. Even faced by death, she never failed Him.
We all face these to some degree. Hadassah is beautiful example of the faith God craves from us.
If a young Christian girl in the midst of a world falling apart can do it, I think He wants us to know that we can too...
