Bronze and Brokenness - Midianites

Light of Nations #4

by Christine Dillon

Master at mending copper. Failure at mending family.
Reuel's family have been traveling coppersmiths for generations, but it's not enough. His Israelite customers don’t respect any Midianite, and his father only takes pride in what his older brother does. When Israel’s power wanes and Midianite raids shift who’s on top, all that could change. Has the time come when a second son can outshine his older brother?
Jael married Reuel with dreams of a home filled with love and respect, but her marriage has become as dry as the drought-plagued land they live in.
She followed her husband's lead in rejecting all local gods but is what she has all she’ll ever have? Why does her blind sister, Zura, find such hope in the God of Israel?
All are broken, but can they, like bronze, be recast?

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Christine writes both Christian fiction and non-fiction.
Her debut novel, 'Grace in Strange Disguise' - was published 1 October 2017. The six-book series was completed in December, 2021.
In 2023, Christine changed genres and is now writing Old Testament-era fiction. The 'Light of Nations' series will be multiple books, starting with 'Wells and Wanderers - Amorites'.

Author website: www.storytellerchristine.com
Subscribe via my website to become a 'storyteller friend' for updates and a free book.
Find 'storytellerchristine' on FB, Pinterest.
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Since 2004, Christine has been a Bible storyteller, and each year she's more excited by what she's learning. This is a tremendous way to communicate and make disciples.

Bible storytelling website & linked Facebook group: www.storyingthescriptures.com
'storying the scriptures' (closed FB group - so you need to ask permission to join)

BOOK TRANSLATIONS
* 'Telling the Gospel Through Story' was published in traditional Chinese in February 2015

* 1-2-1 discipleship was published in simplified Chinese in October 2015 and in traditional Chinese in January 2017.

* Verborgen Genade (Dutch translation of 'Grace in Strange Disguise), published in February 2020.

* Siegreich Sein: mit Gottes Wort (German translation of 'Sword Fighting') published December 2021.

Reviews

[Erin Laramore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great work of Biblical fiction by Christine Dillon! Fans of her more contemporary books and her non-fiction will recognize the characters in this one doing Bible storytelling. Her previous novels didn't have quite as much history for them to tell, but in this one, there was a great deal of storytelling included. It was nice to see the author's worlds merge in a sense in that way. While this is book 4 in the Light of Nations series, it easily stands on its own as these stories are only connected by the fact that they concern the people groups the Israelites encounter and shine the light of God's love to. This book takes place in the time of Gideon and the main characters of this novel are a family of Midianites. There were some connections of Midianite history that I had not made on my own and that is one of the best things about Biblical fiction - tying together more of God's Word into a singular story and finding the common threads. I enjoyed the author's notes as well on why she chose Reuel to be a coppersmith.

As with the other books in this series, the main characters are not followers of Abraham's God at the beginning of the story, and so their character growth arc is coming to a knowledge of who God is and relating to Him. Unlike the other books in this series, I didn't much like the characters in this book before they came to know Yahweh, which is why this is not a 5 star read for me (I struggle to like the story when I don't like the characters). They eventually grew on me, and the story, character growth and faith thread were sufficient for me to still thoroughly enjoy the book, but it is not my favorite of the series as it took me some time to enjoy following the characters. However, if you enjoy good Biblical fiction and/or stories with strong character growth and a coming to know God, this is one I can easily recommend!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Christine Dillon for the next instalment in this series. I liked how Zura and others didn’t have answers to the questions posed to them. A great model to follow.
The book is a good lived-example of the strength of stories and how they would have impacted peoples lives in Biblical times. I would have liked a bit more story in the lives of the main family to go alongside the focus in Yahveh’s stories.
Still well worth the price and the time to read! I’ll be getting copies as gifts. :-)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bronze and Brokenness by Christine Dillon is an engaging Biblical Fiction novel that transports readers to the Old Testament era and the division between the Israelites and Midianites.

The story centres on Reuel, a Midianite coppersmith and his wife Jael, who travels from town to town selling his wares and repairing pots and pans people bring to them. Reuel is a bitter and angry man who resents his older brother Ephah because their father favoured him or Reuel, and unfortunately, he takes his anger out on his wife and children.

Jael had thought being married to Reuel would be everything she ever hoped for, but she did not expect how he would treat her. Both Reuel and Jael did not believe in God, nor did they worship the fake gods of the land. But Zura, Jael’s blind sister, who travelled with them, loved God and throughout the story, we learn of her faith and see that even though our prayers may seem to go unanswered for a very long time, God hears them and is working His will to answer them. This story shows Zura having faith and patience where prayer is concerned.

Without giving too much away, Reuel lashes out horribly toward one of his sons and it is an event that forces Jael to stand up to her husband and he is forced to sell his bronze goods without her help. But, he is not alone and as the story progresses we see how God sometimes takes bad things and uses them to change us and to bring glory to His name.

I loved the storytelling aspect of this book. The author brought biblical stories to life in normal conversations with her characters, making them come alive in a way that most students of the Bible will appreciate. Also, her research of the era shines through as do her insights into how bronze was made during that time.

Bronze and Brokenness is a compelling read and while this is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Fans of Angela Hunt, Jill Eileen Smith and Tessa Afshar will find much to admire in Christine Dillon’s latest offering.

Bronze and Brokenness is a captivating tale of faith, redemption and self-discovery set against a rich biblical history that is brought to life. I highly recommend it.

[Stephanie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. Biblical fiction is at times difficult to write, but the author does a great job describing daily life and world events while still maintaining a realistic storyline. I've always been fascinated by blacksmithing, and I learned a lot about coppersmithing (an unexpected surprise)! This series has been interesting points of view each time, as it is never told from an Israelites pov but someone that is always just on the outside peeking in. When you read these stories in the Bible you don't always stop and think about the surrounding nations and how they would have felt or perceived these events.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way Christine Dillon opens up the world of the Midianites during the time of the Judges and imagines how some of them might have come to trust in Yahweh and join the people of God in that time. As usual, the power of passing on the stories of God shines through, especially through the way characters such as Zura, Dinah & Asher use stories to speak into the difficult family relationship issues that other characters face.
I found that this book didn't grab me as much as the other books in this series or the previous series. Some of the writing felt a bit laboured, even though the storyline itself moves well. But it's still a worthwhile read and God can use it to teach and encourage us, and to strengthen our faith and increase our zeal for reaching the lost.

[Aaron Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

What difference does following God make? The main character and his wife are akin to the modern day Westerner who thinks it makes no difference - but when things are hard, that completely changes. It's fascinating that stories based on other stories from over 3000 years ago have something helpful to say for us today. Christine masterfully helps us see there is only one worldview that makes sense and offers us real comfort in a broken and sinful world, and she does it by bringing out stories adjacent to the Biblical ones from the Old Testament.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Dillon is such a master storyteller. I love the way she brings to life the less familiar Old Testament culture of the Midianites in Book Four of her series ‘Light of Nations’. At the same time, the more familiar Bible narratives and characters make their way into the story. And somehow, our own 21st century questions and issues find a voice throughout the plot: suffering, shattered dreams, forgiveness, healing…and the never-changing grace of God in a broken world. I can’t wait for Book Five!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Dillon has done it again, bringing to life Biblical events through imagining them from the perspectives of onlookers at the time. And all the time, Christine also surreptitiously teaches modern-day readers (through story) about how to cultivate a godly worldview, even and especially in times of difficulty. This book is an enjoyable and purposeful read.

(I had access to a pre-publication version of this excellent book.)

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving reading bronze and brokenness. It is a wonderful read - bringing some of the biblical stories in a different context, yet remaining true to the original. Great to see the writing skills of this author develop throughout the series as well. They inspire imagination and discussion in our family. I love reading this series with my kids, but also enjoyed reading them myself. Highly recommend. A great gift for teens and even pre-teens.

[Linda Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story! Believable characters. I could really identify with Jael. In this story the question of whether God is still good even when bad things happen is answered. I would recommend this story to all my friends. Christina Dillon is a very talented writer.

[Christine Barth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bronze working research and culture was fascinating. I thought the storyline was a little more academic than the others in this series.
Overall, I think it's a great series that really brings the events and message of the Bible to life. Looking forward to reading more.

[Emily Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful characters that are tenderly crafted. Loving this series and can't wait for more. Dillon is by far my favourite Christian Historical Fiction writer. Her faithfulness to the biblical text, while adding storylines that make me want to analyse the original text more is marvelous.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, different sides to familiar biblical accounts being prsented with story-telling within story telling. I appreciated the underlying analogy of the God as a coppersmith moulding and refining us, repairing our brokenness and burnishing us into beautiful mirrors to reflect Him.

[Serene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book by Christine. The conversations between the characters are relatable and full of insight.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and enjoy reading the series! Looking forward to reading more books in the series. Think I might gift to a friend too!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved zuras character.