Steph Dunn- Outside Reading #4

Redeeming Love is a fictional novel by Francine Rivers. This book is based off of Hosea in the Old Testament of the Bible. I read this book last semester and fell in love with the characters. I recently started reading it again this semester. This book is about a girl named Angel who is a prostitute in a brothel in California during the gold rush. She has been there ever since she can remember and doesn't know anything besides this life. Not to mention Angel is the most sought after girl in the house who brings in most of the money. One day when she is walking through town she catches a man's eye. His name is Michael Hosea and he feels as though the Lord is telling him to pursue her. He keeps coming to see her at the brothel and spends the whole night doing nothing but trying to convince her to leave with him and marry her. Frustrated at Angels refusal to leave Michael leaves Pair-a-dice. He comes back unable to deny God's plan for him and finds her beaten and left for dead. He convinces her to come with her and pays a large fee.
When she is finally nursed back to health Angel is scared and wants to go back to the brothel. Michael is confused at how anyone would want to go back there, he is constantly asking why God put her on his heart. Angel runs away one night trying to make it back to the Brothel to get the money she is owed. She catches a ride with Michael's brother Paul. To pay him for the ride all she has to offer is herself. They sleep together and both think that will be the last they see of each other. Angel gets back and finds the brothel and her 'friends' dead. Michael quickly comes and gets her from there and they go home. Angel's heart is growing fonder of Michael everyday, but she would never admit that.
This relationship between Michael and Angel mirrors our relationship with God. We are just as bad as a prostitute living in a brothel. God is the one who is pursuing us, and we are constantly running away from him. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see the gospel played out in a real life situation.