Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
Reviewed by Lori Twichell, Radiantlit.com
Genre: historical, inspirational, religious
Publisher: Tyndale
Publication Dates: September 3, 2009

Christ is God and man all at once. That concept is a really difficult one to wrap our minds around sometimes, but still, he had the blood of men running through his veins. This could be something that might seem out of control or as if it were outside of God’s plan. After all as soon as men get involved, so does sin. (Since we all sin and fall short of the glory of God right?) But Christ’s life was planned from the beginning of time and so was his lineage. Generations prior to his birth, God knew that his bloodline would be important. And so it was that His life was carefully crafted, planned and created.  So you were here to talk about a book right? Not hear some sermon from Lori…so let’s talk about a book shall we?

A compilation of Francine Rivers’ previous ‘mini-books’, Lineage of Grace shares the lives of the women who are in Christ’s bloodline. What some readers may recognize as the books Unveiled, Unashamed, Unshaken, Unspoken, and Unafraid are now all firmly ensconced in one cover for your reading pleasure.

If you do any research on the lineage of Christ, only a few women are mentioned. Tamar. Rahab. Ruth. And Mary is obvious.  Francine Rivers takes the lives of these women and, pulling directly from the scriptures, brings them to magnificent life. I think that we have a tendency to look at the Bible and assume that everyone was perfect, had no doubts, and just did everything God asked them to do. But if you look around, people really haven’t changed that much. There are a few standouts of faith that make it look easy, but no one believes that they have no struggles. Rivers, with flair and beauty wrapped in grace and historical fact, helps us to understand these women in a whole new way. She shows the readers why it might be that out of all of the women who contributed to the life of Christ, only these women were chosen to be highlighted in the Bible.

Tamar, who lived with an unbelieving husband and at a tender young age, was married, remarried, and spent a majority of her life fighting to serve God. Rahab, the harlot who helped the Israelites and was able to save her family from a city’s destruction. Ruth, a young widow with seemingly no good circumstances, who honored her mother-in-law in ways that stunned a population of people. And Mary, the mother of Christ. There’s so much that we can learn from these women with a little research and yet, even scouring what the Bible has to say, the most and best that we can know about each of them is how they were commended by God to have a special place in history.

Now for those who are reading this review and thinking that I forgot someone, I didn’t. Bathsheba also has a starring role in this book but hers is a little different. The other women stand out as being recognized in the lineage of Christ. Bathsheba is never specifically mentioned in the lineage of Christ, but we know that she was the mother of Solomon, who is very much present. I cannot even begin to understand God’s heart and reasoning for this, but I find it fascinating that she was not mentioned. Bathsheba, a beautiful woman who fell in love with a King, still had a heart for God. Assuming she had some influence over her son, she must have given him some good words of wisdom at some point in his life. I’d like to think she learned from her mistakes and that she was exactly what David needed. A reminder that he was a man. Sometimes a prick of conscience that he was not perfect. And a love that would support him through the crazy life God granted him.

So you’ve gotten this far in my hefty review and I haven’t shared what I thought yet. My apologies. Rivers writing remains strong, insightful, beautiful and touching. With deep revelation and understanding about the lives of these women, Rivers touches on common sense ideas that most wouldn’t consider when reading the stories in the Bible. What was Bathsheba thinking? Did she know David all her life? What were Rahab’s thoughts while waiting for the men to return? What did Tamar think when she was facing her father in law? With clarity of vision, beauty of the written word and an insight gleaned from what must have been monumental hours of study and thought, Francine Rivers gives these historical figures life and breath. They come alive under her touch and speak to women generations removed. It’s amazing to consider the things they stood for and against during their lives.

With these stories and this ultimate compilation, Rivers reminds us that faith is a continuing journey, no matter what the circumstances around us may be.

*PG-13 – There are some situations in this book involving dark arts and potential seduction. Though not overly graphic, the subject matters themselves beg for a little more maturity.

Review copy of this book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers. Thank you!