See my review of Book One, The Shadow and the Promise.
How do we get our kids interested in the Bible? In the Old Testament? How do we get them to see the point of the Old Testament, in all of its odd detailed-ness, and how it points to Jesus? Marty Machowski—an executive pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Pennsylvania and who has written many books: family devotionals, curricula, children’s books, and parenting titles—is writing a four-part series reimagining Bible stories through the eyes of animals who witness the events firsthand. The animals are completely fictional (there aren’t too many talking animals in the Bible), but the stories aren’t changed. They are “taken directly from the adventures in the Bible.” The only change is the perspective through which we read these stories.
This is the second of four books in the Redemption Tales series. The seven chapters contain stories from Exodus, Joshua, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, and Isaiah.
- Exodus
- Crossing the Red Sea, water from the rock;
- Mt. Sinai, the Ten Commandments, and the golden calf;
- Joshua
- Joshua, Rahab, and Jericho;
- 1 Samuel
- David and Goliath;
- 1 Kings
- The Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon;
- Elijah vs. the Prophets of Ahab;
- and Isaiah
The book ends with study questions for each chapter and then an answer key.
Why did God use an old guy, a staff that could eat snakes, and ten plagues, as well as open a body of water to deliver his people from Egypt? Why, when God could have delivered his people with a single word? God rescued his people in this way to show his mighty power to his people and to the world, and to create a grand salvation story for the generations to come that would ultimately culminate in Jesus’ sacrifice and salvation for us. Machowski guides your children through some of these key stories so that they may understand a bit more of God’s power and faithfulness.
Each chapter begins with a pair of animals hanging out with other animals and running right into the biblical story. Through a wise white dove named Daniel, Machowski shows how these OT stories foreshadow how Jesus will rescue and redeem his people. While it might be a given to have the story of David and Goliath here, Machowski connects Goliath with the ancient serpent and David with a son of Adam willing to stand in for Israel, a picture of what the future Promised Seed will do. Machowski connects Jesus’ sacrifice with Rahab’s scarlet cord (and, before you roll your eyes, just know there are other scholars who make the same connection).
While it may seem appalling for adults that Elijah slaughters the prophets of Baal, I remember as a typical young boy thinking that it would make for a pretty cool scene in a movie. However, I had no idea why Elijah did that.
Daniel, the white dove, comes to the rescue here and fills in the gaps from Deuteronomy 13. If a prophet led Israel to follow other gods and worship them, they should reject that prophet’s words. God was testing Israel (see Judges 1–2) to know whether or not they loved God with all their heart and soul. Israel was to remain faithful to God, and the false prophet must be put to death, purging the evil from Israel (95–96).
Daniel then briefly points to John the Baptist, clothed like Elijah, who announces the coming of the Lamb of God. Machowski connects Jesus with the sacrificial system (calling him the “Lamb of God”), which is connected with the sacrifice Elijah put on his altar. However, I would say Machowski missed the opportunity here to draw the line of prophets from Moses, to Elijah/Elisha, and then to Jesus as the true Prophet like Moses (Deut 18:15; Mark 9:7).
Each chapter ends with a good list of Bible verses that contribute to that story’s theology.
Recommended?
This is a fun book for kids going through the stories they know while faithfully pointing them to Jesus and his work for us. I really appreciate Machowski’s emphasis on the gospel and how he properly interprets the stories. He is able to relay the Bible’s message to children without making it childish, showing that it is possible to teach them gospel truths and God’s overarching message without goofy antics. Some might think reading the Bible through the eyes of animals is a “goofy antic,” but I believe it is a thoughtful way to engage children in the Bible’s stories.
Buy it on Amazon or from New Growth Press
Lagniappe
- Series: Redemption Tales
- Author: Marty Machowski
- Age Range: 8–12 years
- Paperback: 128 pages
- Publisher: New Growth Press (February 12, 2024)
Review Disclosure: I received this book free from New Growth Press. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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