On This Foundation: (A Biblical Ancient World Novel about Nehemiah) (The Restoration Chronicles)

This is a beautifully written novel, biblically based, about a real man of leadership whom God used to rebuild Jerusalem. This novel exemplifies how we are to honor & glorify our Almighty God. When we allow God to lead us, as Nehemiah did, He will help us to accomplish His will. Amen! An excellent book to read!

We are first introduced to Nehemiah in the preface, he is a young boy who had just witnessed the murder of his parents on the 14 of Adar, when the Persians are allowed to attack and kill the Jews. He and his brothers are brought to Mordecai to protect and to raise. Chapter 1 fast forwards twenty-eight years. Nehemiah is in charge of security for the King of Persia. His brothers had gone back to Jerusalem with Ezra thirteen years before and have returned with a petition for the king. From them, Nehemiah learns of the deplorable condition of the city’s walls. It not only is an embarrassment to all Jews, but it has become unsafe allowing Judah’s enemies to wander at will. Nehemiah is devastated to learn this and the King agrees to send Nehemiah back with the title of governor to rebuild the wall. During the course of the rebuilding of the wall, we are introduced to other characters who give a heart and face to story. Judah had been in drought, so many had to send a family member to become a bond servant to their landlord. This was a true occurrence to which the Bible speaks. It was inspiring to read of the people working together to quickly rebuild the wall.This is the third book in The Restoration Chronicles which cover a timespan following the decades of the Jews returning from captivity back to Jerusalem. As always, Lynn Austin’s books are well researched and bring history to life, in this case Biblical history. Her characters are real and it is wonderful to see God’s hands at work through the characters in her books. She really made the story of Nehemiah come to life.I received this from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the third book in a “true” series. You have to read the first two books for this one to make sense. Over the course of the three books the full story of the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after their exile to Babylon, and the rebuilding they did, is beautifully told.I loved the characters in this book. There is a great variety of people and situations that they are dealing with during a very trying time in the history of the Israelites. I think that the ones I felt the most for were Nava and Chana. They both struggled with feelings connected to loving someone they couldn’t be with, even though the reasons for the separation were very different. They had to try and navigate their way during a time when women usually didn’t have any say in what they could do and who they could be with.The continuing story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile to Babylon was fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Lynn Austin brought Nehemiah on the scene. I don’t remember there being very many details about his background in the bible other than that he was the cupbearer to the King of Persia. The story as it is presented in this book is very plausible. One of the things that I really liked about Nehemiah was his humility. He continued to seek God throughout the book wanting to make sure that he was the one chosen to complete the task and that it wasn’t just his own idea.It held my attention from start to finish. I believe that reading this book is an incredible way to spend some of your leisure time.I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Always enjoy books from Ms. Austin. The research comes through and pushes the reader back to scripture. It has helped reignite a passion for reading the Old Testament.

I love this series SO much!! It really helps bring the bible to life, painting a picture of what it could have been like and conversations had. I looked forward to reading it every night before bed. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this story. The book of Nehemiah is my favorite in the entire old testament primarily because, in my opinion, it deals with and explores struggle, injustice, mercy, leadership, and exploitation more powerfully than any of the other stories in the bible. Lynn Austin has a fantastic talent for telling historical fiction and filling in the blanks to the generic versions of biblical stories. The characters are believable and feel very real. The plot was very well developed in accordance with the actual biblical account with some exciting twists and turns to engage the reader effectively. I also particularly appreciate how the author tries to maintain the Hebrew and cultural aspects of the story.

I have now read all three books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed each one. The author does a great job of following scripture and still creating a story of what every day life might have been like.Read and enjoy, you will be blessed.

I absolutely love Lynn Austin. I have read all of her books and they never disappoint.

Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it,as true today as in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. An engaging depiction of Gods precepts in action but crafted in an engaging way that compels you to keep reading.Appreciate so much Lynn Austin’s authenticity to the historical narrative.

Reading this book I was both educated and challenged. Lynn Austin has walked me through the book of Nehemiah adding the sights, smells, feelings and cultural and legal issues of the day. I’m incredibly sad to have reached the final book in the series, I have loved the context these books have provided to the Old Testament, and the demonstration of grace in the law.

The whole family read it together and we couldn't put it down! So sad that we've now read all the books in this series... This was my favourite one. So good!

I thoroughly enjoyed this series of books. I wondered how I would get on as they are written about the history of the Bible, but in story form. I've had a job putting them down and am looking forward to the next set that I have. Well done for such thoughtful and creative writing.

Reading the Restoration Chronicles has been like reading a biblical summary from the time of Esther and the Jews returning to Jerusalem to the rebuilding of the walls. The accuracy with Scripture and the ability to weave a storyline line around the events is an amazing skill. For anyone struggling to understand what is covered in the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah and Haggai this series spells it out in a way that is easy to read and understand without any of the history or truth of scripture being lots. Highly recommended for those who want to understand the love of God and His care and protection of His people and those who love him.