Summer will be here in the blink of an eye, and we have a reading suggestion for your kids. Marty Machowski’s The Redemption Tales offers a creative presentation of the gospel message by inviting middle-grade readers (ages 8–12) to join the fictional animals who could have been present at the biggest events of the Bible.
The second book in the series, The Prophecy and the Hope, follows the adventures of the animals who could have witnessed the events of the Old Testament, from the Exodus onward. Join oxen at the Red Sea, mountain goats at Mount Sinai, Rahab’s pets in Jericho, horses watching as David faced Goliath, the Queen of Sheba’s camels, ravens with Elijah, and mice in Isaiah’s house.
The story begins as Oxen brothers Otto and Oscar stand trapped and terrified between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s approaching army along with all of Israel. Yes, God has brought them this far out of the misery of Egypt, but escape now seems impossible! When Moses shouts, “Fear not. Stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord,” everyone gasps as the cloud of the Lord billows up and blocks the enemy from advancing. Then the wind begins to blow. Will the oxen and the rest of Israel be able to outrun the enemy?
We hope you enjoy this preview from the first chapter of The Prophecy and the Hope.
Grumble, Grumble, Grumble
Without warning, Israel was trapped between the advancing Egyptian forces and the sea. The thunder of Pharaoh’s army echoed off the mountains with squeals of chariot wheels spinning and tackle clanking. What’s happen- ing? they wondered. Then, when they realized it was Pharaoh’s army, they panicked.
“So much for the land of milk and honey,” Oscar the ox shouted to his brother. “We’re trapped.”
“You know what they say,” replied Otto. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Suddenly, the thunderous roar came to a screeching halt and gave way to the clatter of chariot wheels and the neighing of horses.
“Listen,” barked Scrappy, their street dog friend. “The chariots are coming through the pass. Remember how narrow it was? That should slow them down and give us time to get away.”
They, along with everyone else, looked behind them and then turned to look in front of them. There were only mountains and the Red Sea. No path to freedom.
Then the advancing enemy grew quiet. “Scrappy was right,” the oxen murmured. “The Egyptians are caught in the pass.” But in the silence, they heard the voices of the Israelites com- plaining to Moses.
“Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” one man shouted. “Why else would you bring us here?”
“Good question,” Otto said. “The Hebrews were slaves in Egypt, but we had a decent life there. I’d rather feel the sting of the whip than get run over by an army.”
“Or worse,” Oscar gulped, “get driven into the sea. I can wade the shallows, but I don’t swim—I sink.”
All at once the command “Charge!” echoed from the mountain pass and the Egyptians strained ahead full speed, hooves pounding, wheels turning, shouts booming.
“Here they come!” Oscar shouted.
“I can’t bear to watch,” Otto said, pulling toward the right.
An Israelite screamed, “We were better off serving the Egyptians!” Otto closed his eyes and looked away.
Above the din, Moses shouted, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
“Look!” Scrappy barked. “The pillar of cloud is rising! It’s on the move against the Egyptians. Look, it’s blocking their advance! Remember what I told you—complaining blinds you to the blessings around you.”
The Egyptians watched in disbelief as an angel of the Lord blocked their advance. They had seen great storms in Egypt, but nothing like this! The dark, ominous cloud billowed up from the sand and formed a pillar up to the sky. The chariots came to a halt, horses rearing, refusing to advance. Then, as the sun set behind the mountains, the pillar of cloud trans- formed into a pillar of fire.
“Hey, Mr. Sunshine,” said Otto to Scrappy. “Where’s the bright side now? That cloud can’t hold them back forever!”
“Careful, Otto,” mocked Oscar. “Complaining blinds you to the blessings around you. Keep complaining, and you’ll miss the mountains and beautiful shore! Looks like a vacation paradise to me! Too bad we don’t have any fresh water to drink. Maybe the cloud can hold off long enough for us to die of thirst.”
“Ok, Oscar. I’ll look at the bright side. Just think of the sandcastles we could make in the night while we wait to be pounded down by chariot wheels. Won’t that be fun!”
“Alright, you two,” said Scrappy. “The angel won’t block the way of the Egyptians, only to have us die of thirst. You heard Moses. The Lord will fight for us. He must have a plan to save us.”
“And so he does,” said a voice from atop a nearby wagon. “Daniel!” Scrappy shouted. “Where have you been?”
“Right here, listening to our oxen brothers join Israel in complaining. Grumble, grumble, grumble,” Daniel said.
“So, what’s the plan? asked Otto. “Do we sprout wings and fly away like doves?”
“Or fins and gills and dive into the sea?” joked Oscar. “Let’s see . . . what size fins should I order?”
“Triple extra-large,” laughed Otto. “You’ll find them in the whale section of the market.”
“Ok, you two, this is no time for joking. What’s the plan?” Scrappy asked the dove.
Before Daniel could reply, Moses mounted a boulder and shouted to the people, “Advance to the sea! In the morning, we shall continue.”
Daniel explained, “The Lord has given Moses his plan. Moses is to lift his staff and stretch it out over the sea. The Lord will divide the water and allow us to cross on dry ground.”
“Well, Oscar, you were right. Get ready to buy those fins!” jeered Otto. “The sea is fathoms deep. I don’t see how God could divide it. You better get ready to learn the cattle paddle. It’s a combination of a doggy paddle and eight hundred pounds.”
“This is no time for joking,” said Oscar anxiously. “Remember I can’t swim. I’m afraid of water.”
“Daniel said we’d cross on dry ground,” assured Scrappy. “Look, Moses is lifting his staff!”
The company watched as Moses stretched his arm over the sea. A great gust of wind blew from the east. It struck the sea and the water parted.
“I told you to look on the bright side,” Scrappy shouted as the sea piled in a heap to the north and the south.
“In the morning, we will cross on dry ground,” said Daniel.
“What about Pharaoh? Won’t he just come after us?”
“Yes, he will, for his heart remains hard against the Lord. But when Israel is safe on the eastern shore, all of Egypt—Pharaoh, his chariots, and horses—will know that the Lord is God over all.”
Excerpted from The Prophecy and the Hope © 2024 by Marty Machowski. Used with permission of New Growth Press. May not be reproduced without prior written permission.
You can also read chapter 1 from the first book in the Redemption Tales series, The Shadow and the Promise at the link below.
The Prophecy and the hope
The Prophecy and the Hope by bestselling author Marty Machowski follows the adventures of the animals who could have witnessed the events of the Old Testament, from the Exodus onward. Join oxen at the Red Sea, mountain goats at Mount Sinai, Rahab’s pets in Jericho, horses watching as David faced Goliath, the Queen of Sheba’s camels, ravens with Elijah, and mice in Isaiah’s house.
