Introduction

A Story of Love, Desperation, and Hope During a Great Biblical Epoch

Sold into slavery by her father and forsaken by the man she was supposed to marry, young Egyptian Kiya must serve a mistress who takes pleasure in her humiliation. When terrifying plagues strike Egypt, Kiya is in the middle of it all.

To save her older brother and escape the bonds of slavery, Kiya flees with the Hebrews during the Great Exodus. She finds herself utterly dependent on a fearsome God she's only just beginning to learn about, and in love with a man who despises her people. With everything she's ever known swept away, will Kiya turn back toward Egypt or surrender her life and her future to Yahweh?

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Excerpt

20TH DAY OF AKHET SEASON OF INUNDATION 1448 BC

My sandals have not crossed this threshold since I was ten.
Inhaling, I focused on the Eye of Horus woven
into the papyrus mat beneath my feet. After summoning an infusion of courage from its steady gaze, I lifted my chin and entered my father’s chambers.

My father’s braided wig lay on his desk, as if flung aside without a thought for his usual meticulous appearance. He stood with his back to me, studying a document with such intensity that my quiet entrance had gone unnoticed. Did I imagine that his hand trembled? ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Kiya’s life changes drastically at the beginning of this book, due to the consequences of someone else’s actions. When have you found yourself at the mercy of another person’s poor decisions? What good, if any, came out of that situation?

2. Kiya’s love for her family determines her choices in many ways, to the point of sacrificing her own freedom. When have you chosen to place someone else’s needs above your own? What sacrifice was required? When has someone done the same for you?

3. From the time she was a young girl, Kiya was terrified of the dark. When Egypt is struck with plagues, she is forced to endure three days without light. Have you ever had to conquer a phobia? Which of the plagues do you think would have been the most frightening?

4. Kiya was intrigued by the way Shira responded to her circumstances. How did the way she lived draw Kiya toward Shira’s God? How can we live winsomely so that others will desire to know our God?

5. Kiya comes to realize why Tekurah is such a bitter woman. When have you struggled with bitterness? How does bitterness affect your relationships? What do you imagine happened to Tekurah after this story?

6. As someone who grew up believing in many gods, Kiya struggles with changing her worldview to one that acknowledges Yahweh as the One True God. How is your worldview different from the culture in which you live? How does your faith impact the way you live your daily life?

7. The plagues and miracles of Exodus have been depicted in various ways in popular culture (books, movies, etc.). Which ones, if any, did you visualize differently than the author? What new insights did you gain from the author’s descriptions of the plagues and miracles?

8. Idol worship was commonplace in the ancient world. What are some things in our culture that have been elevated to the status of idols? In your own heart, what are some idols that you struggle to leave behind as you move toward Christ?

9. Egypt was the most powerful and wealthy nation in the world at the time of this story. What similarities do you see between Ancient Egyptian culture and our own? What lessons can we learn from the demise of Egypt?

10. The story of the Exodus is a beautiful foreshadowing, or prefiguration, of Jesus’s death and resurrection, and the sacrifice he made to purchase our freedom from sin (Exodus 12, Hebrews 11:23–29). What similarities can you see between Moses and Jesus? How does Kiya’s journey echo your own spiritual journey?

11. When Kiya arrives at Shira’s home the night the firstborns of Egypt are killed, she is confused by the blood on the doorway and the other “strange” Hebrew rituals. For thousands of years, the Jewish people, and many Christians, have memorialized that night by celebrating Passover. Have you ever attended a Passover celebration? If so, how did it enrich your perception of Jesus?

12. The next book in this series follows the story of Shira. What do you imagine will happen? What themes from this story do you think will be further explored? Which characters are you curious to know more about?

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