Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer ~ Review

I have had the pleasure to travel back in time to the land of Canaan as the Hebrews make their way to the promised land with the Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer by Peggy Consolver – Author.

Let me tell you a little bit about the author, Peggy Consolver. She has been teaching Sunday School for 35 years. Through reading the Bible numerous times, she has gathered insights into the lives of the Gibeonites from Joshua 9 and 10 and Genesis 10 to Psalm 114.

She felt that the Gibeonites story needed to be told but that she needed to gain the experience of seeing the setting for herself. So in 2010 she spent eighteen days with the Associates for Biblical Research in Israel. That time in Israel really helped to shape her story of the Gibeonite shepherd boy who she was writing about. The shepherd boy’s father was a master potter and her time in Israel seeing the ancient pottery added to the depth of her writing. 

About the Story

Keshub is a young shepherd boy. He is the fifth son in his family and so often jostles for where he belongs in the family. He has heard the stories that the caravanner has told at his family’s fire about the nation of Hebrews. He has heard about how their God, that his father calls the Star Namer, provided a way for the Hebrews to walk across a swollen river on dry land. He has heard that these people defeated Jericho by simply shouting.

As the Hebrews, draw closer the Gibeonites fear that they too will be defeated. Can the Gibeonites escape certain destruction? Will the Hebrews grant them favoritism only for them to be overtaken by the Amorites?

There is even a Study Guide for the Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer. There are numerous links to help you and your children to dig deeper into the story. The subjects that you can learn about through the interactive study guide are quite varied. From Syrian brown bears to Alpha Centauri: The Closest Star System to Our Sun; from Plaiting and Braiding Instructions to a virtual trip to Jericho and many other topics.

What Do I Think About  Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer?

I really enjoyed traveling back in time with Keshub and his family. This is genuinely a well written book that has a wonderful message to tell. The story of family, honor, sacrifice and submission. The story of a people who were willing to sacrifice all in the hopes that they would win the favoritism of the Hebrews. They could see the power of the Hebrew God and knew that He must surely be with them.

I plan to use this book and the corresponding study guide as a unit study with my kids. It is a fantastic way to bring the story of the Hebrews and Gibeonites to life. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read and review this book!

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Blessings,

Jennifer