Return to Me: (A Biblical Ancient World Novel about Zechariah) (The Restoration Chronicles)

I loved this novelization of the story of Zechariah the prophet! It compares closely with his prophecies in the Old Testament and the Torah!

Although I can appreciate the dedicated research this writer accomplished to compile this story for readers, I am saddened that the Jewish people thought that they had to make animal sacrifices daily to glorify the Heavenly Father. I know in my heart that the sacrifices that are to be made, should be personal ones and not by the sacrifices of animals. The gift of the Father by giving the world his own Holy Spirit through Jesus was the greatest sacrifice. Religions have been distorted by humans to fit what they believe. The modern world needs another wake up call and have everything of value taken from them to bring people back into what is really important. People do not need big houses, lots of things, lots of entertainment and certainly not to hoard objects that have little value. The supposed Hollywood stars and the overpaid athletes have no real value in the Fathers World. How far has the human population removed itself from the true priorities of what the Father has asked of His people. Mostly I am saddened that we have removed ourselves from what the real purpose of life is.

This is a beautiful story of how God's love is given to us when we give all what we have to Him. God will provide, if we give our heart to Him.

Like the 5 previous books in the Chronicles of the Kings Series, Return to Me is very well written and provides a lot of history about the Isrealites’ return to Jerusalem from Babylon. For some reason the events in this book didn’t keep my attention as well in some of the other books; however, Lynn Austin continues to be one of the greatest story tellers ever!

I love the book,” return to me”. I found it accurate in keeping with the Bible. And the characters were believable and appropriate and dimensional.It made learning the part of the Jews returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple, interesting and easy to understand and absorb. I highly recommend it.

This was beautifully told in a very personal way. I could not put it down.May it bless everyone who reads this book and encourage you to dig deeper.

What a great God we served. Blessings to Lynn Austin for writting a beautiful uplifting book and make the old testiment come alive .

Iddo was among the last group of Jews to be taken in exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Fifty years later, he is still haunted by the cruel memories when Jerusalem was sieged and long trip to Babylon. Through the years he managed to find some happiness through marriage, children, and grandchildren; but he has always longed to return to Jerusalem. Now that the Persians have taken control of the empire, a proclamation has been issued that they may return to rebuild the temple.However, many have grown comfortable with their life in Babylon. Iddo and the elders try to persuade as many as they can to make the journey, which ends up being 42,000. Even Iddo’s own sons don’t want to leave. His grandson Zechariah is torn between following the Torah and obeying his parents, until he has a supernatural experience at his Bar Mitzvah that persuades his choice to go to Jerusalem.However, the Samaritans living outside of the rubble of Jerusalem are hostile toward their new neighbors and plot ways to get the Jews to leave the land. Through many years, politics, and trusting God, they work to rebuild the temple and the hope of the Jewish nation.This book is a reminder of how comfortable that we can get in our own lives and not want to follow God’s calling. Even after hearing the stories of Jerusalem from previous generations, several of the people didn’t want to leave the life they had in Babylon. I think this corresponds easily to today’s world as well. People get so comfortable that they don’t want to change. But sometimes change is just what we need.Lynn Austin does a great job bringing the Old Testament books of Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah to life in her book. So good in fact, that I had to go back and read those books again to actually see how much they overlapped. She did her research very well.I enjoyed all of the characters. You have to follow four different story lines that are all intertwined together. I felt that there were some areas of the book that could have been trimmed down a bit to give it a little less volume. Even so, about halfway through the book, it really took off and was hard to put down. I look forward to the sequel.

I had a hard time putting this down. We know little of what it was like for the exiles who returned from Babylon but this book captures the struggle, heartache and doubts they could have had. It has really helped me understand the Law in the context of a holy righteous God Who is also longing for a loving relationship from us all. His judgements are always measured and designed to show us the error of our ways. Then comes Grace, mercy and blessings. I highly recommend this book.I it’s not just a story but revelation of a. Loving Father God.

This is a very powerful book. It is about love. Romantic love, but mostly about God’s love for His people. All people.Lynn Austin is an amazing story teller. I’ve read many of her books.

Absolutely recommend this book. It brought the Bible alive by making the people and culture more real. Their struggles, doubts and weaknesses but nevertheless, the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises when we obey Him. Could not put it down.

Brilliant - only to be expected from Lynn Austin. A must read for lovers of the Bible.Read Chronicles of The Kings which also would highly commend but this first book of The Restoration Chronicles is more than living up to that standard. So well researched and Biblically accurate. Can’t wait to start Volume 2.

Dear Lynn thank you for taking your time to do this research ..... this book made me appreciate my marriage and.also thought how Carry myself because my husband is a deacon in church I compared my life with Yael s ..... I was truly restored .... I felt God presence over me that I couldn't explain I am planning a book club for us women to read.... I can t wait to start the next book