The Gate of Heaven

Lions of Judah #3

by Gilbert Morris

Much-loved storyteller Gilbert Morris turns an imaginative pen to the lives of the patriarchs. Combining extensive research with an action-packed and skillful plotting, Morris creates believable scenarios in which his fictional characters parallel their biblical counterparts.

The Gate of Heaven follows the dramatic journey of Jacob, from deceiving his brother and being deceived in his choice of wife, to his life-changing encounter with God. Meanwhile, Jacob's only daughter, Dinah, buys a slave who is actually an aristocrat from Crete. Will he come to love Jacob's God as well as his daughter?

Book 3 of the bestselling Lions of Judah.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Christian

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert Morris continues his Lion of Judah series with a focus on Patriarch Jacob. Morris' writing continues to be complex and descriptive bringing the Old Testament story of Jacob to life. I was fascinated throughout the book with the life and times of Jacob, his fight and years of service for his true love, Rachel, and the amount of deception that goes on both on Jacob's part and others. Jacob's is understandable as he tries to fulfill God's prophecy; but, in the end, his family is filled with so much animosity towards one another that only God knows how He will continue to fulfill his plan.

An excellent Biblical series that covers the time period of the Patriarchs.

[Barbara Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in a series about the patriarchs based on the Genesis narrative, this is a readable, sympathetic and insightful reconstruction of the life of Jacob from conception up to the point where Joseph is having problems with his brothers. I particularly liked the author's portrayal of his first wife, Leah, and the way he shows how growing maturity enabled Jacob and Esau to reconcile. He pulls no punches in his account of the rape of Dinah, but by introducing a non-biblical enslaved prince from Crete, he brings some good out of that violent event.

[cheryl k woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rendition

I love fiction that draws you to the heart of God . I never get tired of hearing redemption stories. But this book and the next one in the series stick close to the scripture. To add to that, the characterizations make the lineage of Jesus come alive. Thank you Gilbert Morris.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but I think the author went a little too far with his literary license about the character of Dinah. He certainly assumed a lot about this historical figure from a very few biblical verses. Not sure that I appreciate that much fabrication.

[Robert Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT,

This was a very interesting read, and I could not put it down until I finished. Looking forward to the next "Lions ".

[Linea Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far from reviting.

[Cynthia Royer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the series. Great characters, realistic interpretation of the bare bones Biblical narrative.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never grow tired of reading books by Gilbert Morris. I love his writing style and how the story follows along with the Bible. I'm 2 books away from finishing another series of his. He is definitely up there with my all-time favorite authors.

*Favorite Passage*
"As the bull ran into Demetrius, the man planted his hands right between the bull's horns. At the same time, he threw his body upward. The bull tossed his head, and Demetrius flew high into the air. Dinah watched openmouthed as the man's trim body did a complete somersault over the bull! He landed facing away from the bull just behind where the animal stood." The Gate of Heaven by Gilbert Morris, page 222.

[Nece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilbert Morris is a master storyteller! In "The Gate of Heaven" he weaves the story of Jacob and his search for God into a great read. The characters are great, the historical setting is almost tangible and God's grace for Jacob's frailty shines through. I really enjoyed this book and it definitely gets my recommendation.

[Patricia A. Conti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love his books.

Morris puts just the right amount of fiction in the book to bring the true history to life. it is easy to read and hard to put down. I would recommend this bok to anyone interested in the story of our christian history.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2004