A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Kristin Stiles
In his second book of the Redemption Tales series, author Marty Machowski takes his readers on a unique journey through the Old Testament. The Prophecy and the Hope covers biblical history that spans from Exodus with the parting of the Red Sea to Isaiah and the prophesies of the coming Messiah. The stories are related through the perspective of fictional animals that witnessed biblical events which carry the narrative of the need and hope of redemption.
Right out of the gate, Machowski drops his readers right in the middle of the action. The oxen are all in a tizzy as they are nearing the banks of the Red Sea as Pharaoh’s army bears down on them. As will be his modus operandi for the next six chapters, he uses the animals to explain what is happening and how the humans around them are reacting. This is interspersed with frequent insertions of actual biblical text that is simplified for the audience but nonetheless still close enough to the original text that parents and children familiar with the account will recognize the verses. Each chapter also includes the character Daniel, a dove who is able to give context to what is happening and also ties in how the events relate to the coming of Jesus and the plan of salvation.
The other major events that are covered include the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai along with the idolatrous behavior of the Israelites; the destruction of Jericho; the defeat of Goliath; the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon; the battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; and the prophesies of Isaiah. Each of these events is deeply explored and set within the gospel narrative.
Following these seven chapters, Machowski provides study questions for each chapter. He gives the reference for the actual story which he encourages his readers to look at before answering the questions. Two questions are repeated for each chapter: “How is Jesus connected to this story?” and “What can we learn from this story?” Machowski follows most questions with specific verse references, so parents and children can find answers directly from scripture. As an added help, Machowski then supplies an answer key for each of these questions. The answers are quite complete with more references from both the Old and New Testaments.
I found this to be a very creative and memorable way to not only share these Bible stories but also to go deeper in making connections within the Old Testament and showing the types and shadows that are confirmed in the New Testament. Using the animals as the storytellers makes for a fun way to get in on the action, but I mostly appreciate the input of Daniel, the dove, and all the paraphrased scripture that is included to bring so much meaning to these well-known Bible stories.
Kristin Stiles is a home-school mom, a Sunday School teacher, and helps lead the “Young, Reading, & Reformed” children’s ministry at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, PA.