Maureen Trowbridge reviews ‘Choose Life’ by Simon Guillebaud (Lion Hudson IP, 2014).

Christine Burden reviews 'In Time with God: Daily Devotional Bible Readings in Accordance with the Biblical Hebrew Calendar' by RK Bamber (2012).

This book is not your usual daily devotional resource. It does not begin on 1 January but instead at the start of the Biblical New Year, which begins with the month of Abib (or Nisan).

In the introduction, Bamber states: "The aim of this book is to give you scriptures and 'daily devotionals' which are related, as much as possible, to the actual day on which you are reading..." (p9). The biblical calendar is a lunar calendar; it is not the same as the Gregorian calendar that we normally use, which is a solar calendar.

This may seem confusing, but the author carefully explains how the reader can accurately find the passage appropriate for any given day of the Gregorian calendar, so there is no need to worry. One can also purchase a dual calendar with the book, and additional website resources for navigating between the calendars are also provided. It is not a problem but an education!

The book devotes a page for each day. Included on this page are the biblical date, titles and a portion of Scripture accompanied by helpful teachings and explanations. At the end of the page there is a question or personal challenge for the reader, followed by references that one might wish to follow up by way of further study.

Attention to the Feasts

This is a devotional that is well-researched, is challenging and has invaluable teaching on the Hebraic roots of our Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

Bamber includes helpful explanations of how Yeshua (Jesus) fulfils the feasts. Yeshua "fulfilled the prophetic meaning of the feasts on the actual days that they occurred" (p9). For example, The Feast of Passover falls on the 14^th day of the first month (Lev 23:5) of the lunar calendar, when the moon is full, and not on a fixed date of the Gregorian calendar. It was on Passover, when the blood of a lamb was shed for redeeming the Israelites, that Yeshua died.

Incidentally, on the 14^th day of any month in the lunar calendar there will be a full moon; one has only to look up at the sky (provided that it is a clear night) to see when we have reached Day 14.

There are also detailed and interesting charts for each month beginning with the first month of Nisan (referred to as the month of Abib in the Bible). These charts are nicely set out, providing an overall view of the book. In addition to the feasts, the charts include information and Bible texts on a varied selection of other biblical topics. For example, one topic covered is 'The Seven Species of Israel', with days each devoted to a different botanical species mentioned in Scripture. I would say there is something here for everyone who enjoys God's word.

This book is not your usual devotional resource - it works to the Hebraic lunar calendar.

Difficult Topics

The author does not shy away from difficult topics such as the Lord's plan for Israel, anti-Semitism, Replacement Theology or end time topics.

There is a discussion on Israel's enemies (p386), where the text from Numbers 24:20 looks at the words spoken by Balaam about the Amalekites, Israel's enemies. The author traces the lineage of the Amalekites, beginning with their putting fear into 10 of the 12 spies sent out by Moses, right through to modern times in which, she states, "Amalek is the spirit which tries to thwart God's plan of redemption". We are reminded that Haman (who was an Amalekite) tried to destroy all the Jews in Persia, as recorded in the book of Esther (incidentally, ancient Persia is today's Iran, a very present threat to modern-day Israel).

Care and Dedication

I found as I read this book that there was an anointing on each page that brought me the peace and comfort of the Lord. On one page the author talks about 'The Prepared Bride' (p300). Here, discussion centres around the woman who was forgiven much "for she loved much" (Luke 7:47). The reader is challenged by the author who states that the woman's great love for the Lord is a picture of the Church, the Bride of Yeshua.

I love the care, dedication and attention to detail that has gone into the writing of this book. After following it daily through a whole year I have found that it has become a favourite that I return to often for spiritual refreshment. This is an excellent book for these times as the Church continues to re-discover its lost Hebraic roots.

As I read I found there was an anointing on each page that brought me the peace and comfort of the Lord.

In Time With God (414 pages, In Time With God Publications) is available from Rosemary Bamber's website, www.intimewithgod.com, which also contains further information about the book and navigating between the lunar and solar calendars.

Rosemary Bamber studied Theology at Avery Hill College, London and spent four years studying and serving in Jerusalem, where she was inspired to write this book.