The Restoration Chronicles

Lynn Austin has another Biblical fiction series that I love. This one is only 3 books, and it's called the Restoration Chronicles.

This series is set in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, when King Cyrus of Babylon allows a return to Jerusalem, and for the city and walls to be rebuilt. 

What was so fascinating to me about this series was how it made the 2nd Exodus so real to me. It's easy to read as a reader in the 21st century and miss the time that passes, not only between books, but between chapters and verses. The Israelites were in captivity in Babylon for 70 years.

That is a long time. In fact, God through Jeremiah pretty much said that in Jeremiah 29:5, when he told the Israelites to plant gardens, build homes, and settle down. Even with the promise of being brought back to Jerusalem a few verses later (Jeremiah 29:11-14), they knew it would be a while. 

70 years means that the children who were taken into captivity are now elderly. Many might have died. It means that only few of the Israelites alive remember Jerusalem and what life was like there.

And that's what I love so much about this series. Lynn Austin made it so real. In this story, there's a multi-generational family. The patriarch, Iddo, cannot wait to return to Jerusalem. He has so many beautiful memories of it from his youth, and he longs for his true home. But his family doesn't really feel the same way. His wife would willingly go with him, except that his children (who are grown and have families of their own) do not. For Iddo and his wife to leave would mean possibly leaving their family forever. His wife cannot bear the thought of not being near her children and grandchildren. 

Babylon is what they know. They understand the culture and the way of life. They even know the practical things, like where to buy the best food, how to navigate the city, and how to live successfully as captives in Babylon. This was their home, even though it wasn't supposed to be... and they can't remember their true home. They've grown comfortable in captivity, comfortable with the wealth and depravity of Babylon. Jerusalem represents a decimated city where life will be difficult, far from home... and in the case of this family, far from their loved ones.

If you love historical fiction, don't miss this series! It will give a new perspective on what it meant for the Israelites to return to Jerusalem.