by Francine Rivers, 1994
Book 2 of the Mark of the Lion Series
What an excellent book! Hadassah is saved from death after being mauled by lions by the Physician, Alexander. She works for him and becomes known as Rapha, the healer. Her work for God with Alexander enriches him and he loves her. Marcus cannot get over his grief at the loss of Hadassah – he is angry at God, angry at Julia. He goes on a journey to Palestine to try to find Hadassah’s God. He is beaten and robbed and left in a ditch to die. Ezra and Taphatha find him and take him home to nurse him back to health. Ezra is a devout Jew, a scribe. Marcus tells him all the stories about Jesus that Hadassah told him. Ezra’s heart burns in him because he recognizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of scripture. He and his daughter become believers through Marcus, an unbeliever. Marcus continues his journey and can’t overcome his pain. He decides to kill himself in the sea of Galilee but ends up saved by an angel who feeds him and sends him to a man sitting at the gate to Capernaum. This man baptizes Marcus and Marcus is filled with joy. Then the man sends him back to Ephesus. He must forgive his sister.
Meanwhile, Julia is dying of VD. Hadassah leaves Alexander to care for Julia – abandoned by all – until her dying day. Hadassah wears veils so Julia doesn’t know who she is. Marcus returns, orders Julia to move in with him at Phoebe’s villa. Phoebe has had a stroke and knows that Hadassah lives but cannot speak. Hadassah cares for Julia in the villa. Finally, Marcus and Julia discover that Hadassah is Hadassah. Julia is truly forgiven by both Marcus and Hadassah and on her dying bed, accepts Christ and Marcus baptizes her. Phoebe is cured as she watches her son baptize her daughter. She gives Hadassah her freedom. Hadassah runs to Alexander. Marcus follows her. Removes her veils – tells her she is beautiful, asks her to marry him and they marry and live happily ever after, 7 children, one dark-haired little girl they name Julia. Beautiful story of forgiveness, faith, and love.