Shelter of the Most High Read online

  Was there a band of highly trained spies like Darek and Baz whose job it was to secretly monitor these enemies and feed information to Joshua and the tribes? Perhaps not, although the precedent for such a group has its basis in the twelve spies in Numbers 13, the spies sent into Jericho (Joshua 1), the team sent out to survey the Land (Joshua 18), and even the men sent by the tribe of Dan to Laish (Judges 18), so it’s certainly possible—and all sorts of fun to imagine.

  As for a plot to assassinate the High Priest, there is no actual evidence of such a thing happening, although I did come across a rabbinic source that said the mothers of the High Priests regularly traveled to the refuge cities with gifts of food and clothing to ensure that manslayers would not pray for the untimely death of their sons. And since justice adjudicated by humans is never perfect, it is conceivable that a few of those convicted of manslaughter actually did get away with murder. The germ of this story idea actually came from an offhanded quip my husband’s friend Josh Elsom made about just such a scenario, and once I finished laughing, I thought, “Hey, wait a minute. . . . What if . . .” So, thanks, Josh!

  Many thanks to my writing partners, Tammy L. Gray and Nicole Deese. Your commitment to making my stories shine and faithfulness to me personally are an ever-unfolding gift from the Lord. And thanks as well to Amy Matayo and Christy Barritt, who along with Nicole and Tammy helped me plot the majority of this book in a session during our annual retreat, the recording of which is full of nearly as much giggling as it is brilliance.

  My move away from Texas has sadly separated me from my Monday night ladies—Lori Bates Wright, Dana Red, Tammy Gray, and Laurie Westlake—but I am so grateful for all your support, encouragement, and excellent input into Sofea’s and Eitan’s story. I miss you all so much and look forward to seeing where God is leading your writing careers. Thanks as well to beta readers Elisabeth Espinoza, Joannie Shultz, Jodi Lagrou, and Ashley Espinoza. This story is all the better for your willingness to read unedited drafts and offer your insights.

  I can never thank my editors, Raela Schoenherr and Jen Veilleux, enough. They, along with the rest of the Bethany House team, put so much time and effort into editing, designing, and delivering my novels into the hands of readers all over the world. Jennifer Parker and the design team brought Sofea to life on this cover with extraordinary perception and talent. And thanks to my sweet and supportive agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, I can rest assured that my writing career is in wise and capable hands.

  And finally, thank you, my dear readers, for spending your precious time between the pages of this novel. I hope you have enjoyed this second book in the CITIES OF REFUGE series and the chance to discover how Moriyah’s family has fared over the years. Their story isn’t finished yet, I assure you!

  Questions for Conversation

  After enduring horrific loss, Sofea and her cousin are brought from a foreign land to Israel and the city of refuge, which turns out to be a place of unexpected comfort and blessing. When have you experienced a “blessing in disguise” or a situation that may have initially seemed hopeless but yielded significant spiritual growth or encouragement instead?

  Sofea and Prezi do not know the language of the Hebrews and therefore are terrified of the very people who saved them. When have you been in a situation where you were culturally, linguistically, or otherwise completely out of your element? What things did you learn about yourself and others through this experience?

  Eitan has been told to keep his past a secret by his parents for his own protection. Do you agree with their decision? Why or why not? How might Eitan’s life have been different if his past was public knowledge? Have you ever been asked to guard a potentially destructive secret? What was the outcome?

  Eitan consecrated himself to Yahweh by taking the Nazirite vow, but as the story progresses, he comes to see that he may have had the wrong motives. Have you ever made a commitment and then later discovered that your reasons for doing so were not as pure as you thought? Do you think God honors those efforts, even when our hearts are not in line with his will?

  Sofea does not fully comprehend Yahweh but is drawn to the people of Kedesh, who offer love and protection to her and her cousin. As she grows in understanding, she begins to see that their actions are representative of the God they serve. How have the people of the Church represented God’s unconditional love to you? How can the Church do a better job of this?

  Sofea’s culture is drastically different from the one she witnesses in Kedesh, a distinction that opens her eyes to the righteousness of Yahweh and his Word. Our natural instinct is to try to blend in with others around us, but Christ-followers are called to be “in the world but not of it” (cf. John 17:15–17). In what ways are you living up to this challenge? How do your daily actions and interactions draw others to Christ? In what ways are you struggling to be faithful in this area?

  As a convicted manslayer, Moriyah is imprisoned in Kedesh but instead of wallowing in self-pity uses her tragic circumstances to glorify God and help Prezi and Sofea begin to heal. What circumstances in your own past can you use to encourage and empathize with others? How has someone else reached out to you in this way?

  What do you think the scene in which Eitan sets aside his Nazirite vow is meant to symbolize? In what ways are you like Eitan? What struggles do you have with leftover guilt, even if you are already in covenant with Christ through the free gift of grace?

  Which character in Shelter of the Most High do you most identify with? Why? Which character’s motives are the most difficult to relate to? Why? Which events surprised you the most?

  Until the Mountains Fall, the next book in the CITIES OF REFUGE series, will continue with the story of Malakhi, Darek and Moriyah’s youngest son, and Rivkah, the girl he loves to tease. What challenges do you foresee for him and Moriyah’s other children as the people of Israel become less faithful to Yahweh and wander back into idolatry?

  Connilyn Cossette is the CBA bestselling author of the OUT FROM EGYPT series from Bethany House Publishers. Her debut novel, Counted With the Stars, was a finalist for the Christy Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christian Retailing’s Best Award. There is not much she enjoys more than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible, discovering new gems of grace that point to Jesus, and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. She lives in North Carolina with her husband of over twenty years and a son and a daughter who fill her days with joy, inspiration, and laughter. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com.

  Books by Connilyn Cossette

  OUT FROM EGYPT

  Counted With the Stars

  Shadow of the Storm

  Wings of the Wind

  CITIES OF REFUGE

  A Light on the Hill

  Shelter of the Most High

  Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

  Website: www.bethanyhouse.com

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