Description
In the turbulent world of ancient Israel, where prophets walk with power and kingdoms clash in the darkness, Gehazi rises from obscurity to become the trusted servant of Elisha—perhaps the greatest prophet his war-torn nation has ever known. Through Gehazi’s eyes, we witness miracles that defy belief: armies of fire, resurrections from the dead, and waters yielding way to the footfalls of great Prophets.
But beneath his privileged position lurks a fatal flaw. When a moment of weakness leads to an unforgivable betrayal, Gehazi’s single decision unleashes consequences that will haunt not just him, but generations to come. Marked by leprosy and cast out from society, he must grapple with questions that echo through the centuries: How do we recover from our worst mistakes? Can divine mercy reach even those who have fallen furthest? And what does it mean to find redemption when the scars we’ve earned can never fade?
Part historical epic, part spiritual journey, The Eyes of Gehazi weaves magical realism with gritty historical detail to bring ancient Israel blazing to life. Through the scarred humanity of a man history remembers mainly for his failures, we discover uncomfortable truths about our own capacity for both glory and disgrace. This is more than just another Biblical retelling—it’s an unflinching exploration of pride, power, and the long road home from exile.
Tod Newman –
By: W. Tod Newman
Publisher: Desdichado Books
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
ASIN: B0BHYP5RFH
Reviewed by: Risah Salazar
Review Date: November 27, 2022
Gehazi’s journey starts many thousands of years ago in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He and his family are part of the Tribe of Manasseh, one of the many tribes that live near and benefited a lot from the Jordan River. He recalls his life as one below poverty, working endlessly day in and day out, but never getting enough. The things that kept them going were the trivialities of their lives, being content despite having very little, and most importantly, their belief in their God.
Growing up, Gehazi was like any other teenager in their small village, but Eli, one of his closest friends, was not. Gehazi and Eli worked as farmers and were always proud of their honest work. Eli stood out not only because of his physique, but also because of his work ethic. Whereas other boys his age would be skinny and short, Eli had a tougher and taller build. This fact did not make the protagonist in the slightest bit jealous; in fact, Gehazi was inspired to be working side-by-side with Eli all the time. However, there was something inside him, a whisper getting louder and louder every day, that told him he might not be as popular as his friend, but he was meant for greater things.
One day, Eli came to Gehazi to reveal his purpose. He told Gehazi that his father Elijah, a renowned prophet, asked him to follow him on his journey and that soon, he would probably take up his mantle. He asked Gehazi to come with him, leave the farm, and live a prophet’s life. Needless to say, this was puzzling for Gehazi in the beginning. But realizing that his purpose, like Eli’s, was starting to get clearer, he decided to follow his friend in this arduous path.
Newman’s The Eyes of Gehazi has a personal and conversational tone which captures the narrative’s intent perfectly. The worldbuilding took some time to set in, but in that stretch, Newman made everything so vivid and appealing to the senses. Readers would also find that Gehazi’s story is full of surprises and life lessons. Whether you are a believer of God or not, the morals still hold true. The Eyes of Gehazi is a wonderful reminder that a purpose-filled life is not easy. One must have an excessive amount of patience and dedication to the life one has chosen to live. Also, there might even be times when it’s too late to appreciate the blessings in life because everything can be taken away in a snap.
Tod Newman –
This is a wonderful story providing a unique insight to the stories of Elijah and Elisha from the Bible from a third perspective.
It’s a great companion to the classic Bible stories and one that enriches the discussion around “What would you do if you knew a prophet?” This book provides a great mirror to what most of us would struggle with.
Tod Newman –
He made this time period more real to me.