Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."-Genesis 15:5 (NIV)

Biblical fiction is my favorite, especially when the author does a good job with the research and writing. Counted With the Stars by author Connilyn Cossette is one such book.

Counted With the Stars chronicles the Plagues of Egypt, the Exodus of the Israelites, and the first 50+ days of the Hebrew people out of Egypt, told through the eyes of Kiya, a young Egyptian girl sold into slavery.  Throughout her journey, Kiya comes to learn of Yahweh, and has to make a decision whether to follow Him in her heart as she follows Him with the Hebrews out of Egypt.  The author's foundational scripture for the story comes from Exodus 12:38.

Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

For me, good Biblical fiction has three major characteristics.  First, it doesn't stray from the main story of the Biblical account. Second, it fills in missing pieces with details that are plausible. Third, it follows the Spirit of the Book.  The Bible is about Jesus, from cover to cover, so good Biblical fiction will be rich with themes of God's goodness and grace and love. For me, Counted With the Stars held all these characteristics.  

I really enjoyed this book, learning about the Egyptian customs, and seeing the events through Kiya’s eyes. Kiya's journey was not just a physical one, but also a spiritual one. It was interesting to go through it with her, to hear her thoughts as she questioned all she had ever known, a life with the many "gods" of Egypt. The struggle she experienced as she wondered who Yahweh really was, what kind of God He was-could she trust Him and surrender her life to Him, is one that I am sure many of us have experienced. It's a constant surrender, a letting go of our feelings and what our senses are telling us, in order to surrender to the truth of God's love for us.

One of my favorite passages speaks not only of the Hebrews, and the people who may have become part of the Hebrew nation in that journey, but what I interpreted to be Believers in Christ as well.

“Elohim, the Creator,” said Eben, “sowed the stars in the sky with his very words.  In Egypt we heard the tales of the stars, the stories of the Egyptian gods and their movements above.  But the true story is much more ancient than the Egypt of old.  It is not Nut who makes the stars twinkle in the heavens, but their Creator.  Elohim tells a story in star pictures that will resonate through the ages, unrolling like a great scroll overhead, telling us the path of Abraham’s sons.  We are walking that path now, and the story will continue long after our journey ends.”

In Galatians 3:29 we are told, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (NIV)

Counted With the Stars is a wonderful book. There is a richness of God’s Word found within the pages, and a Spirit of grace and truth. The author's interpretation and description of the events in Exodus were thought provoking. I wish I could tell you about my favorite part but that would be an incredible spoiler!!

I recommend it to lovers of Biblical fiction, historical fiction, and those who want to travel on a journey to get to know God.

Many blessings to you as you read, and travel on your own journey to know Him better.

Beth

To learn more about the Out of Egypt series and author Connilyn Cossette, visit her here at www.connilyncossette.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.