Israel, My Beloved

by Kay Arthur

When Israel, My Beloved first released, it immediately captured the #1 spot on the CBA hardcover fiction bestseller list—and stayed on the list for months. Kay Arthur's dramatic, epic-style novel is now available in softcover with a beautiful new cover and a historical timeline that corresponds with the fascinating retelling of Israel's story. History comes alive as Kay begins with the tragic mistakes that led to Israel's captivity by Babylon and takes readers all the way to the modern-day miracles of triumph against all odds. A heartwarming novel filled with adventure and suspense, Israel, My Beloved is an incredible testimony of God's great love and faithfulness even in Israel's darkest hour.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Novels, Israel

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hope! I'll survive because I have hope!"

An amazing read. More unique than any fiction book I've ever read because the author personifies the nation of Israel and takes you through her history. "Sarah", in the beginning of our book is turning her back on her husband and is about to feel the consequences in the Babylonian captivity. We meet, with her, Daniel, Nehemiah; we go through Israel's history with her, captivity, the Maccabees, the weeping of Rachel (her friend) in Bethlehem, - through the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Pogroms, the Holocaust. Carrying up to her current events and even future in the time of the Peace Treaty and her husband's return.
All throughout you'll be amazed to find that it is natural to read Israel's history this way, you aren't wondering about how this woman and those around her live for hundreds and hundreds of years-you are, I think, familiar with her. Israel presented as a woman, as an adulterous wife, as a captive, "she" as she is called in the Bible.
Whether you agree with the views of the author in regards to future events-this is well worth the read.

[Ed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought Kay Arthur was a Christian. Christians do not write junk like this. I refused to read any more of this.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have respect for Kay Arthur and have used, benefitted from, and taught, and lead study groups using her books with Precepts Ministries. I feel nauseated even contemplating reviewing this book because I ask myself, "Who am I to critique Kay Arthur?" I have always held her up as a role model and a woman to be greatly honored and I am terribly grateful for much of her work. So much of what I believe to be the teaching of Scripture I believe because I have used the techniques Kay taught in How to Study Your Bible.

I burned this book because I found it to be so offensive.

No, I didn't like the writing style and the dialogue was so stilted that it was torturous to read and getting to the end of the book was like slogging through cold mud to me, but I HAD to read to the end to see if Kay would straighten everything out. But, no, the point of the book is that there is a different path of salvation for Jews. Christ is nothing in the book. . .nothing more than an object of offense through most of the novel and then a tiny player in the end whose little role as messiah is to kill the anti-Christ, Anthony/Nicolai Carpathia Wannabe, and hand the Nation of Israel over to God the Father. Christians are almost all bad and a Christian trying to tell a Jew that Jesus is the messiah is presented as being so offensive that the Christian repents in TEARS for trying to share the gospel with a Jew and the Jew--the book's hero--makes it clear that she would rather die than be proselytized. Apparently the Jews do not need our stinkin' gospel, or our lousy New Testament.

The book teaches that jesus is NOT the way, the truth and the life for Jews other than he'll kill the anti-Christ so that they can be restored to God the Father and rule the world.
It turns out that there IS Jew and Greek, slave and free.
It turns out that we DO need to reinstitute the sacrifices of the temple because Jesus' sacrifice was not enough for the Jews and He is not their High Priest and that the copies are better than the heavenly realities, so I guess the Lord of Glory is either irrelevant in his atonement, or we need to have the blood of bulls because Jesus' blood wasn't enough for the Jews. Studying the Bible, this is blasphemous to me.
The Book of Hebrews is total garbage because Christ fulfilled nothing for the Jews and they need to keep the Law and offer up sacrifices in an earthly temple.
The Holy Spirit? No mention of Him.
The Church is evil, but Christians owe it to Jews to risk everything to preserve them because the Jews, not the Christians, are God's chosen people and if Christians have any salvation they owe it all to Jews because Jesus was a Jew, which I guess is more important than Jesus being God. (Note: The book never acknowledges that there is ANY salvation for non-Jews, or that Jesus is anything to non-Jews. I mean, I understand that the history of the Jews is the point of the book, but I learned very little about that that isn't fairly common knowledge, which was another disappointment for me as a reader. For a Christian to write a book where the Church sucks, sharing the gospel is shameful, and there is salvation apart from Christ leaves me in tears, and truly, truly nauseated.)

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with some of the characters. I felt Sarah's pain, rejoiced with her and waited in horrifying anticipation with her. At some points I hated Sarah, then I loved her. This book gave me such an amazing perspective on Jewish history that no teacher could imagine giving. Kay Arthur is a genius, and I long to see some of her studies to know if they are as amazing as this book. The history was genius and the prophecy was amazing. I like the book more for its' history but the prophecy is still amazing. I think that Messiah coming in any book is amazing. I will read this story to my children and they hopefully will read it to my grandchildren. Five amazingly beautful and beloved stars.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s there, Sarah—a hatred for the Jews encouraged by the church. And Saint John was a man known for his charity and ascetic lifestyle! “It’s a mystery, Sarah. They cannot understand why we don’t convert, and when we don’t convert they try to force us. What blindness! How can one man dictate what another believes? Pouring water over the head in baptism isn’t going to change the way a man thinks. It only makes him wet on the head.

[De Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Israel, My Beloved took a little bit to adjust to...knowing that the book was taking me through history, yet with the same characters... once my mind let go of time, I was able to fully enjoy learning how Isreal's history is in fact my story too...Redemption. Grace. A Faithful Eternal God.

I was blessed to read about the historical events that our Beloved Israel has endured through out the ages. Many favorite scenes. Especially when Israel is near a loss of hope (many times) and yet holds on to the promise that her Husband has given her. A word to us as those who claim to have relationship with our Creator God...remember His promises...know His Word.

The way Kay Arthur beautifully weaves scripture through out the story line was amazing...intricate...a wonderful and well written historical fiction that caused me to rise up and Bless Israel, God's Chosen Nation, and to keep my eyes to the East in preparation of His Son's coming.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. Loved the way Kay Arthur wove Sarah, as Ireal, through so many historical events. I enjoyed the personal relationships and detail of everyday life over the course of approximately 3,000(?)years. Only mentioned in passing, I was disappointed that Kay Arthur chose not to take a closer look at Jesus's impact on Sarah's life, faith and society. Secondly, she chose to lean nearly exclusively on scripture from Daniel without revealing the rest of the Truth from Issiah.

[Jess (Jessie’s World of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched me very deeply and has changed the way I look at Israel’s history. However, it was occasionally confusing which I suppose would be expected with the timeline thing. Overall 5/5 stars for the story and 4.75/5 stars for the execution of the story. (I hope that makes sense)

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of Israel's history from Biblical times through the granting of their state independence. I was surprised to learn that there is a longer list of anti semitism in the country's history, from many different countries, that I was aware of.

[JoAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is so much interesting information in this book and the story itself is worth reading, but I struggled enough with the mechanics (for want of a better word) of the book that it interfered with my appreciation of the story.

I understand that Sarah is Israel and have no problem with her being alive throughout the time span covered in the book, but I did not understand why the other main characters had lives spanning centuries and millennia. I tried to come up with explanations and the book would thwart me a chapter or two later. I will say that this is the sort of thing I have issues with when I read, so I know others will not be bothered by it the way I am.

Nitpicky issue: Potatoes in 7 B.C.E. Israel? I'm pretty sure most food historians believe potatoes come from the Americas and that most regular historians would be surprised to learn that Israelis and Incans were trading with one another back then.

Nevertheless, there was a lot of history in the book, and it was interesting to read it in a way that gave me the big picture. The ending, when Messiah returns and they look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn as for an only son, and Sarah/Israel is reconciled to her Husband was beautiful.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction of Israel in novel form... Brilliant concept. Wonderful writing. This is one of my favorite books ever. This book has a way of seeking out the reader in the place where they are and the places they have been in life and gives the reader a perspective shift and illumination of how they are viewed and pursued by God himself, as the lover of their soul. Incredibly life changing. I recommend to everyone over the age of 16.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in the way this was written as a history of the Jewish people over the course of about 3000 years, but personified by a character named Sarah and the historical events all happen to her in her lifetime. The dialogue and chain of events at times felt forced. I learned some things from reading this book, enjoyed the historical elements, but sometimes it felt long and hard to get through.

[Terry Gould · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really? What a bunch of garbage. Sucks! I wouldn't even give it one star, but I had no choice. It deserves no stars.

Pure crap. Garbage, don't bother. Awful, horrible, junk. Not worth any stars, but I had to give it one, that it doesn't deserve.

Kay Arthur, stop writing now!!!! If you write shit like this, we don't need you!!!! Please, please go away!

[Lori Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and To Kill a Mockingbird are my absolute all time favorite books of all. This book is deep and one has to catch the real meaning of the book early on to appreciate and fall in love with this book. It's well written and shows emotion beautifully. A MUST READ

[W. Franklin Lattimore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It couldn't have been easy to construct a story in which the nation of Israel is represented as the life of a woman. The story zooms through history with Israel's struggles and defeats. But those who know the Bible know how "she" is always loved by her "Husband."

[Elizabeth M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept, but at times this was hard to follow. There is a lot here and I lost interest in the middle and had to negotiate with myself to finish the book. All in all, it was not bad, but not my favorite.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is an allegory. I didn't like the comparison initially, but it was a pretty good way to tell the history of the country of Israel, which was interesting and heartbreaking.

[Judi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not recommend. The writing is slow and boring. I guess it is an allegory based on scripture but a very strange interpretation of scripture that I would call heresy. The very basic premise is that Israel is the bride of Christ. Scripture makes it clear that "The Church" is the bride of Christ. The book ends that Christ returning to claim Israel without a single word about anyone converting to Christianity. No one accepts Christ as Lord and Savior and the Christians who are shown are mostly of the inquisition type, not true Christians. A few Christians do show up to give shelter during WWII. There is so little reference to Christ in this book I might think it is written by a Jewish writer, except for the fact that the book is as insulting to Jews as it is to Christians. In fact I am really sorry I wasted the time that could have been better spent to read the book. I only did so because a friend suggested it and I kept reading it to see what she is feeding her mind with. I do not look forward to discussing it with her.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follows the history of the Nation of Israel taken from Scripture and personalizes Israel as the bride, the wife and God as her husband, following each event in Israel's history and personifying it in a marriage relationship. Fascinating to read and realize what part of Scripture it comes from. Kay Arthur is a gifted author who knows her scripture and with such a creative mind, pulls this off in an amazing way. Follows history through the Spanish conquest etc and ends in 1967 when Israel becomes a nation.

Fascinating book. Read it years ago, one of those books that never leaves you.

[Rebecca Baughman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really would like to give this book a 2 1/2. The first thing to remember - this is a novel. I looked up the definition for novel - "a fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism". And this exactly that. Although it did stir some emotions and thoughts, it made me vaguely uncomfortable several times, too, About half way through, I started to skip some of the narrative. A little over the top for me in some of the descriptions.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a difficult but well worth the time and effort. It's a story like no other I've read, but it follows closely to historic accounts and gives a very believable ending. I learned so much about the Jewish belief and seemed to constantly had to look up words to know what it meant in the Jewish faith. I didn't realize that Jews have been hated since the beginning of time.....I loved this book and may have to reread it again soon because there was so much to comprehend. Loved it!

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique and challenging book. The way Kay Arthur portrayed Sarah as the Israelites and their wandering throughout time was unique, informative and compelling. There were parts that were a hard read, other parts that made me seek out the Bible for the facts, and overall an amazing book. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

[The Phoenix · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a nice story. The writing style could have been a little better, but, otherwise, it was ok. I did learn a lot about Jewish history and tradition. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction.

[Sandra Savell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first part of the book set in Biblical times. Next thing - the same character - Sarah - is now in Nazi Germany and then in Israel. It was like time travel. The history was good but I felt the flow of the book was very disjointed.

[Jacqueline Owensby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The level of intricacy this book is written with is absolutely amazing. I read this so many, many years ago. My cover is a crimson colored jacket cover. Couldn't put the book down. Would love for it to be made into a movie.

[Monica Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a tough read, at times dry and dull, and at times the theology seemed a bit off (She was the bride of God and Jesus took a minor side role). But it was an eye opening, empathetic look at the history of the Jewish race. I'll keep it on my shelves.

[Dougald McLaurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by Kay Arthur. Based on biblical history. I don't usually like fiction, but enjoyed this historical fiction book. You really have to know your Bible to follow along. It is the history of the Hebrew people.

[Jenna Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal! It captivated my attention from the first page to the last and helped my understanding with biblical history as well as the promises to be fulfilled by our coming Messiah. I will highly recommend this book to friends and family.

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

*DID NOT FINISH*

I have given this book many chances, but I just cannot get into it. I am having trouble understanding the literary device of telling the story of Israel personified as a woman. I'm sure it is "user error," but I have to give up on this book halfway through.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. It gives an overview of Israel's history. I would definitely recommend this book!