Miriam: A Treasures of the Nile Novel Paperback – March 15, 2016

I bought and read both books in this series. This author is amazing. Great story lines as true to scripture as I think you could get with lots of history thrown in. Great books.

Love the history and the focus on the character of God. Really does give a good idea of what it would have been like to cross the Red Sea.

Thanks to technology and a diverse set of authors, many fictionalized accounts of the Exodus story exist, from Cecile B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments to Dreamworks' The Prince of Egypt, and everything in between. Miriam is probably one of the most unique takes on the familiar Bible epic I've seen in awhile. Part of this is because of the protagonist; the exodus is never told from Miriam's point of view. Therefore, not many people know she was a prophetess - I didn't know that and I've read the Bible several times. (Guess I missed that detail). Here, she is a well-developed character with a complex struggle. Her God, El-Shaddai, has always been faithful in speaking clearly to her. They've always had a strong relationship, such that Miriam didn't feel the need for marriage. But now, her brother Moses is back from the wilderness and talking about deliverance from slavery, and he says God has revealed His secret name, Yahweh.Miriam realistically struggles with the feeling that God disapproves of or has abandoned her. At times, these emotions take over, but she is still able to communicate Yahweh's love and faithfulness to others, especially her nephew Eleazar and his intended, Taliah. Neither are eager to believe in Yahweh. Taliah has grown up as an outcast because although a Hebrew, she was taken into the Egyptian harem. Eleazar has felt the sting of his parents' rejection and gone through so many trials, he sees God as a vindictive and petty Being. Both these characters must go on an arduous spiritual journey to find the truth. The journey is well-written and gratifying. I especially found myself identifying with the intellectual Taliah.Mesu remains true to the Scriptural account of the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, while giving readers realistic details and peeks into psyches that the Bible doesn't offer. She also fleshes out characters who are only names to many Bible readers. I'm going to investigate her other books soon and invite you to do so as well. I also hope for a third or even fourth Treasures of the Nile story.

The reason I want to give a 4 Star is because Mesu Andrews changed biblical history! She MARRIED Miriam off!! In the Bible, Miriam Never gets married!!! Other than that, the book was Great!!!! But WHY SPOIL it with a LIE??????????? I Bragged about how you could TRUST her BIBLICAL HISTORY!!!!! And here she Lies!!!!!!! Makes me WORRY about what else is a Lie?!?!?!?! What other books have lies in them? I just bragged to a person who doesn't know her Bible like I do, and NOW I worry that if she gets one of Mesu's books will it be biblical sound??? Like I thought? Like I told her it was!!!

From page one, I was enveloped in the story line of Miriam. Was she a prophetess and Moses' sister? Yes. Did she take care of people's health needs? Maybe, but great story line!Mesu Andrews writes with truth, knowledge, and an inspiration of what life "could have been" like during the Israelites exodus from Egypt. Thank you, Mesu!

Many times I am not happy with Biblical fiction because 99 percent of authors seem to change the Bible around. This one didn't. The Biblical parts are accurate. What she did was study the era this took place in and wove her story around the customs of the times which were simply horrible and the Word of God. I study the Bible and want to know God's words written through whoever he wanted to write a particular part at a certain time. I feel that the last 9 books I just read by Mesu Andrews helped with my understanding of those times. My friend was visiting and told me about one of the books so I ordered all I saw titles to a few weeks ago, read them, mailed them to a niece in Maine and asked her to send to a wonderful friend in FL. I would have liked to have kept them but feel that those they are going to need them. Maybe I will order another set one of these days. I don't often find books that just grip me but these did. I usually read evenings and I had a lot of late nights with these thick books completing them in about 2 1/2 weeks. I could hardly put them down. One suggestion from me - start with Pharoah's Daughter, then Miriam, then the others in which they fall in chronological order. If you don't know a lot of Bible, this will give you a good start as to the when and why if events. But each book stands alone. They are each good and you will enjoy each one as you read it either in the order I said or scrambled. I read them in scrambled order until I figured out in my head which would go better for my niece so out notes in there for her and as to why to read in a particular order. It is like building a foundation. I believe these books were inspired by God.

I bought this used and it was a great copy. Love the book so far.

This 2nd book in A Treasure of the Nile series focuses on Miriam and what possibly could have been her story. Miriam, sister of Aaron and Moses, was a woman of importance, whom God used in ancient Egypt. She was a highly respected Hebrew slave, as a Prophetess. But Moses was the assigned by God deliverer to bring His Chosen people out of Egyptian bondage. Mesu Andrews has once again written an exciting novel of Christian Biblical historical fiction!

A favourite genre I like to read is biblical fiction, and I especially like the novels by Mesu Andrews. I have recently finished reading her novel, “Miriam”.Her books always help me to understand more about the history of the Bible and the cultural setting. When I read her books the Bible becomes more alive to me. I also enjoy reading and learning about the biblical characters in her books.Mesu’s book covers the time from just before Moses returns to Egypt to free God’s people from slavery until God performs his miracle of enabling the Israelites to cross over the Red Sea on dry land.Mesu creates Miriam as a well-rounded character. One who is a healer, midwife and prophet to her people, the Israelites and a beloved daughter to Amram and Jochebed. Miriam enjoys a close relationship with God and regularly hears him speak to her.However, her relationship with God changes when Moses returns on the scene to free God’s people from slavery under the Egyptians. He becomes God’s spokesman. Miriam has to learn how to step back a little and also learn how to relate to God in a new way. We see something of the struggle that this is for Miriam. Her struggle represents the struggle that we all can have sometimes when it comes to connecting with God.Mesu has obviously done a lot of research and knows her Bible really well and this comes across in all of her novels. I always find that reading her books makes me want to keep reading my Bible. She also weaves God’s truth into her books which makes the reader think and I often find what she writes encourages me in my own faith journey with God.For example, when Miriam questions God’s nearness her father tells her:“Yahweh is still near, Miriam. He’s everywhere…When God is silent, He expects our patience and will reward our faith. Rest in the silence, and trust He’s near.”Mesu includes a Readers Guide at the end with a list of questions. These work well with a Book Club, or for the individual who wants to think more about their own faith and the things they have learned as they read the book.I recommend you read this book. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I really enjoyed the book. Makes you think and ask yourself questions that maybe you didn't know how to ask before. Enjoyed how realistic the struggle Miriam had with God. Our relationship with God is sometimes complicated. Especially, when the matter of trust comes up. Miriam has to trust that the God she has known all along is still the one she has to have a diff understanding of. Sometimes it's not about asking God why but rather, who are You to me in this season? He is many things to us. I AM..... (insert whatever you need Him to be).

Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron, slave, herbalist, midwife, and prophetess is 86 years old and has experienced a close relationship with her El Shaddai. He speaks to her in dreams, His voice is on the wind, and she revels in their close relationship and the peace He brings to her mind. When Pharaoh sends for her to interpret his dreams, she doesn't fear, she rests in the strength in her El Shaddai and the knowledge that her life is in His hands. Her interpretation saves the life of the young supplicant brought before Pharaoh ahead of her but Ramesses' anger causes him to order her leg broken as that of his son who fell while in the girl's charge. Miriam's nephew, Eleazar, warrior servant of Prince Ram, carries the girl to their house where Miriam tends her and keeps her safe.Miriam's parents are well over 100 years old and her nephews, Eleazar and Ithamar grew up with her and her Abba and Ima but they do not know El Shaddai or believe in him. All of their worlds are rocked when Miriam's visions and closeness to El Shaddai wane and Moses returns with a mission from their God and a new name for him, Yahweh. Miriam's heart goes through many emotions — emptiness, loss of faith, uncertainty, wonder, and even jealousy. When the plagues begin and her parents die, will her loss and confusion overcome her faith in her God?Mesu Andrews has done a lot of research into the life and times of the Hebrew slavery in Egypt to come up with a plausible view of Miriam, acknowledged by the Old Testament as a prophetess and yet a woman of whom very little is written — a total of 5 verses mention her. This is a love story — the story of Miriam's love for her God, her God's love for Israel, and the finally requited love Miriam has for Hur in the twilight of her life. It recounts vividly the power of God displayed in the plagues, the first three of which attack everyone indiscriminately, while the last seven display God's tender protection of His people. We see Moses returned to his family, a reluctant ambassador, his brother's envy as Moses' confidence gains, and the flagging faith of the Hebrew slaves as they sit hemmed in by the sea, the mountains, and Pharaoh's approaching army. It is a story of faith and courage — faith in the One True God and courage to follow where He leads. It is a thoroughly enjoyable and revealing novel, part of her Treasures of the Nile series. I'm looking forward to other books by Mesu Andrews.

This is the first book I have read by this author.Whether you are Christian and are familiar with the bible version of Exodus or not this story is engaging.Miriam is a prophetess and has always helped the enslaved Israelites interpret their dreams and helped them to understand God for decades but suddenly God has become silent to her and she is perplexed and frustrated.Moses is Miriam’s younger brother.A man who was driven out of Egypt as a younger man returns with a single purpose; to lead his fellow Israelites, who have been slaves for 400 years, out of Egypt and into the promised land that God has given them.But the Egyptian King has other plans. Through mighty deeds and wonders God sends plagues throughout Egypt that will ultimately ensure them freedom.

A treasure to be read more than once, this book is written with wisdom and insight- of history, culture, and God's ways with his chosen people. Miriam becomes a real woman caught up in Moses's life story and essential to his and Israel's survival. A real person we can identify with, but with inspirational faith.