My next two books take place in the first century AD. I’m sure you know Rome ruled the world then. The Roman Empire is almost a character itself in these books, so I thought I’d share a little bit about it today. Here is the 5-minute recap of 2200 years. Long before the Empire, there existed the Roman Kingdom, starting …
Be Afraid, Be very … No, Don’t. Really.
For Christmas, John gave me this coffee mug. It’s a fair warning. In the last month, I’ve googled daggers vs swords, and how to sharpen a sword blade. Poisoning. Torture. How bruises change color over the days. Alternative medical treatments for deep lacerations. Here are a few of my actual search requests: rome ancient arrest interrogation crime colony duumvir ancient rome imperium death …
A Refuge and a Shelter
Much of the action in Prize of War takes place in Acsah’s house. Acsah and Othni live in a typical Israelite home, also known as a four-room house. These mud-and-brick houses are characteristic of the Iron Age of the Eastern Mediterranean. The inhabitants lived on the second floor, and the ground floor—divided into four sections by pillars, half-walls, and walls—was used as a stable and for …
If the Foundations Be Destroyed
Prize of War takes place mainly in Debir, which before Othniel’s conquest had been called Kiriath-Sepher. There are a few cities that Joshua conquered but were re-inhabited a little later, and then had to be re-conquered by the various tribes. Debir was one of those. Where exactly that is in Israel now is a matter of some debate. I have …
When is a Judge Not a Judge?
Othniel, our hero in Prize of War, is the first shophet named in the Book of Judges, the seventh book of the Bible. The Hebrew word we translate as “judge” is shophet. A shophet is so much more than a judge. Moses was the first shophet. You’ll recall people came to him to settle all kinds of disputes—so much so …
The Art (Supplies) of War
I’m a Navy brat, but I’ll readily admit I have no idea how to wage a war. Between writing this book and the next, I’ve learned an awful lot about late Bronze age weaponry and warfare. There are two dates proposed for the Exodus, and therefore for Joshua’s conquest of Canaan. I have chosen the “late date” theory, which …
The Ultimate Kindness – It’s Not What you Think
Like little children, we often dislike rules. But God’s rules show us how much God values us, and His relationship with us. The many laws and regulations in the Old Testament were meant to teach the Israelites the same thing. All the clean/unclean and holy/unholy rules were designed to illustrate that a person could not even touch something that was …
What in the World is A Wazir?
If you read By the Waters of Kadesh, you remember Danel. He’s back, although about thirty-eight years older. So is the young soldier Aqhat. After their earlier escapades, Aqhat and Danel are now fast friends—and secret worshippers of Yahweh. Aqhat has grown to be commander of Arad’s army, and Danel is the wazir of Arad. Wazir is a reconstructed Northwest Semitic …
The Best of the Best
Scholars disagree whether or not the Israelites had flocks in the wilderness; most say they didn’t. We know they brought their flocks with them when they left Egypt. But they were expecting a very short trip, possibly as short as eleven days. They then camped for eleven months at Mt Sinai. My research says this was a well-watered place, but even …
What Makes a Shepherd’s Heart?
Meet Zadok. He is the hero of The Walls of Arad, the third book in the “Journey to Canaan” series. Zadok is a shepherd—specifically, he is the shepherd of the Tabernacle flock. He has a gentle heart, one that Miriam decides is perfect for our heroine, Arisha. (You’ll meet her later.) Ancient shepherds have a complicated history. In Abraham’s day, they …
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