The Shepherd's Wife

Jerusalem Road, Book 2

By: Angela Hunt

Narrated by: Rachel Botchan, Stina Nielsen

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

Can she discover the purpose of the life she's been given?  

Yeshua of Nazareth has two sisters: Damaris, married to a wealthy merchant's son, and Pheodora, wed to a simple shepherd from Bethlehem. Damaris can't understand why her younger sister settled for such a poor existence, but she does what she can to share her abundance. When her husband is invited to join the Pharisees, she is excited by the opportunity to elevate the family's status, even though some aspects of the lifestyle seem contrary to what she has always been taught.  

Pheodora has long felt inadequate compared to her beautiful sister but has no regrets about the life she chose. When Pheodora's husband is unexpectedly thrown into debtors' prison, she is shocked to learn that a loan from her generous sister would jeopardize her brother-in-law's religious aspirations. Forced to pin her hopes on two she-goats whose spotless white offspring could be sold for an upcoming Yom Kippur sacrifice, Pheodora must struggle to keep the animals - and her family - alive.  

When horrific reports about Yeshua reach the sisters in Nazareth, Pheodora and Damaris each grapple with their relationships to God, their radical brother, and their own questioning hearts.

©2020 Angela Hunt (P)2020 Recorded Books

YaHshua's Life And Death Effects On HIS Siblings

Rachel Botchan's narration is getting better. This is my first time hearing Stina Nielsen, and hopefully not the last.

This book made me think... that's a great thing!

As a Messianic Jewish believer, some of Hunt's assertions regarding the fulfillment of the Law, meaning Torah, were very hard to stomach, though I've heard many such teachings over the years. I have been a fan of Hunt's for many, many years, and will continue to be. When I worked at bookstores for@10 years, I often took people to see what she had written. Because I respect her research and study ethic sooo much, I tend to give a harder critique, that's why 4 stars instead of 5. Being the stickler that I am regarding Scripture, I have to address the fact that when YaHshua did the reading in HIS local synagogue re: the Spirit of YHWH is upon ME in Lk4:18, HE only read "part" of Isaiah 61:1-3. The reason for that is because HE only came to fulfill the 1st "part" of HIS mission, which was the Spring Feasts the first time (Passover, First Fruits and Shavuot/Pentecost). Verse 2-3 speaks of the 2nd "part" of HIS mission, HIS 2nd Coming which will Fulfill the Fall and Winter Feasts (Chanukah/Tribulation...Trumpets/1Thess4:16-18 &1Cor15:50-55...Yom Kippur/Rev19....Sukkot/Tabernacles/Rev20 and Rosh Hashana/Rev ch21-22). By keeping HIS commandments we are keeping the laws of our Sovereign King, preparing for the laws we will keep in HIS kingdom in the New Heavens and New Earth. Isaiah ch65-66 verify this. Most people think of Ex20 as being the 10 Commandments, but only Ex34 (v28) actually says " these are the 10 Commandments/Devarim. In this chapter the Feasts Days/Appointed Times , Lev23 esp v2, are included as HIS Commandments. To separate the Father's Torah/Word/Laws from those of YaHshua negates that HE says in John17:15-23 and John10:30 "the Father and I are ONE!" and John14:9 "when you see ME you see the Father."

I know that for many years I missed the understanding of 1John2:4-6 (walking as Messiah walked, keeping Shabbat and the Feast Days from HIS birth at Sukkot/YHWH dwelling with us until HIS death as the Passover Lamb and Rising as the First Fruits from lying on the Mercy Seat/Ex25:17-22 directly in the middle area between the angel at HIS head and at HIS feet John20:12, being the Testimony/Word John1. That and the fact that Jacob served Laban for 20 years, 7 for Rachel, 7 for Leah and 6 years beyond that Genesis 31:38 shows a lack. I too got too comfortable with regular sermon teachings. That changed the first time I read Scripture straight through from Genesis to Revelation "out loud" with nothing beside me used as a reference except a book of Biblical maps and a Strong's Concordance.

Frankly neither Pheodora nor Damaris were likeable characters. That view was cemented by Pheodora slapping her brother. I read lots of war histories, so it's not that she was violent, it's that she was so obviously spoiled. The changes caused by her belief in YaHshua at the end was wonderous. That said, Pheodora was a powerful characterization. The actions of the Pharisee Laban were so much like Haman's toward Mordechai in the book of Esther3:4-6 that I'm surprised Hunt never had Pheodora point it out. But Hunt did make me think about how YaHshua and HIS mom being out of the house for such a long period of time, HIS ministry, death and resurrection would have affected HIS siblings. I seriously appreciate books that make me think. Totally worth the listen.

Absolutely excellent story very much worth reading

This is one of the most fabulous historical fiction stories I have ever read. Take the time to read it because you will not regret it. It makes you think. I like the part where Theodora sold herself into slavery to pay off her husband‘s debt, wow what a love story. It also makes you realize that things can turn out in the most unexpected ways. This is beautifully written fabulously told I loved it!

Angela Hunt does it again

I love fictional history. Particular Christian Fictional History. It brings events I know about to life in ways that make me feel I am alive with the characters. While Angela stays true to the Biblical accounts she creates characters to weave into those stories to help me picture myself as living during the time when Christ walked on the earth.

I particularly enjoyed her depictions of the siblings of Jesus and what they may have thought while He was doing what God sent him to do on earth. The details of the pharisees also while remaining true to the Biblical accounts came alive in the personalities the characters she created

It tenderly touched my heart

This was powerful and touching. It made me think of how wonderful and loving our Savior really is; and about how much He cares for each one of us. It also dives into the complex family dynamics we all deal with and how we're to use Biblical principles in loving and dealing with one another.

MS. Hunts books never let you down Excellent read

I've listened to almost all of Angela's book. I know without reading reviews that I will enjoy both book and the narrator she chose.

Anyone that’s willing to love

A beautiful story about families, forgiveness, repentance and being broken when things don’t make sense

the shepherds wife

A wonderful history lesson - I am sure a lot of it is just as it was told. Thank you for the blessing!

Great insight into Jesus's siblings lives

Loved the narration of the story. She kept me very engaged from start to finish.