About the Book
"Immanuel's Veins" by Ted Dekker is a supernatural thriller that follows a young nobleman named Toma who falls in love with a mysterious and enchanting woman named Lucia. As their relationship intensifies, dark secrets from Lucia's past emerge, revealing her true identity as a vengeful vampire queen. Toma must struggle between his love for Lucia and his desire to protect his family and himself from her deadly nature. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil.
Robert Murray McCheyne
Robert Murray MâCheyne (1813-43) was widely regarded as one of the most saintly and able young ministers of his day. Entering Edinburgh University in 1827, he gained prizes in all the classes he attended. In 1831 he commenced his divinity studies under Thomas Chalmers at the Edinburgh Divinity Hall. MâCheyneâs early interests were modern languages, poetry, and gymnastics. The death of his older brother David in July 1831 made a deep impression on him spiritually. His reading soon after of Dicksonâs Sum of Saving Knowledge brought him into a new relationship of peace and acceptance with God.
In July 1835 MâCheyne was licensed by the Presbytery of Annan, and in November became assistant to John Bonar at Larbert and Dunipace. In November 1836 he was ordained to the new charge of St Peterâs, Dundee, a largely industrial parish which did not help his delicate health.
MâCheyneâs gifts as a preacher and as a godly man brought him increasing popularity. The Communion seasons at St Peterâs were especially noted for the sense of Godâs presence and power.
MâCheyne took an active interest in the wider concerns of the Church. In 1837 he became Secretary to the Association for Church Extension in the county of Forfar. This work was dear to MâCheyneâs heart. First and foremost he saw himself as an evangelist. He was grieved by the spiritual deadness in many of the parishes in Scotland and considered giving up his charge if the Church would set him apart as an evangelist. Writing to a friend in Ireland he revealed where his loyalties lay in the controversy that was then overtaking the Church: âYou donât know what Moderatism is. It is a plant that our Heavenly Father never planted, and I trust it is now to be rooted out.â
Towards the close of 1838 MâCheyne was advised to take a lengthy break from his parish work in Dundee because of ill-health. During this time it was suggested to him by Robert S. Candlish that he consider going to Israel to make a personal enquiry on behalf of the Churchâs Mission to Israel. Along with Alexander Keith and Andrew Bonar, MâCheyne set out for Israel (Palestine). The details of their visit were recorded and subsequently published in the Narrative of a Mission of Enquiry to the Jews from the Church of Scotland, in 1819. This did much to stimulate interest in Jewish Mission, and led to pioneer work among Jews in parts of Europe, most notably Hungary.
MâCheyne returned to St Peterâs to find that the work had flourished in his absence under the ministry of William Chalmers Burns. MâCheyne exercised a remarkably fruitful ministry in Dundee while in constant demand to minister in other places. Just prior to his death (in a typhus epidemic) he had been preparing his congregation for the coming disruption in the Church of Scotland, which he thought inevitable after the Claim of Right had been refused.
[Ian Hamilton in Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology. See also Andrew Bonarâs Robert Murray MâCheyne, and the same authorâs influential Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray MâCheyne, both published by the Trust. There is a short biography of MâCheyne in Marcus L. Loaneâs They Were Pilgrims (Banner of Truth, 2006).]
The Awl
I saw a good Samaritan Slow down and stop. âThis is that kind of road; and none Of my sweet business here.â Atop The hill just to the east he saw The restful spires Of Jericho. âThere is no law,â He thought, âno statute that requires My bother, let alone the chance Of injury.â But conscience rose and put a glance Of his own son for him to see Before his father-eyes. He crossed The lonely road, And whispered to himself, âThe cost Of this assault is not his load Alone. Perhaps his father waits In Jericho.â He knelt. âSuch are the fates Samaritans endure.â Then, âNo! This is a Jew!â And worse, much worse: The man was dead. âNow what?â he thought. âIt is a curse To die and rot without a bed Beneath the ground. And he is young. His father will Be searching soon, perhaps.â He clung To one small metal awl until, In his dead hand, it pierced his skin, As if to say To highway thieves: âNot this, not in My life will this be snatched away.â The good Samaritan put him Upon his beast, And set his face to do the grim, Bleak work of bearing the deceased Up to Jerusalem to find A leather row Where some young tanner had been signed To take a load to Jericho. He stopped at the first shop, âCan you Say if a man Was sent with leather goods down through The road to Jericho?â âI can. But hardly yet a man! In age, Or worth, I think. For all I know, his grief and rage Drove him to steal the lot, and drink His sorry way to Gerasa. His fatherâs sick With fear. There was a bruhaha The night he left. He tried to stick A man because his motherâs name Was smeared. He slashed Him with a tannerâs awl. He came By here to get his load, and lashed It to his mule and disappeared. His mother died Last year. The old man with the beard, Down at the corner, right hand side, Thatâs his dad.â âThank you.â Hesitant, And burdened down With death, he waited at the front, Until the old man, with a frown, Said, âWhat you got for sale there, sir?â âItâs not for sale, Or trade, or deals. But if it were, Youâd pay me anything. This veil Lies on the treasure of your life: Your son. And in His hand, unstolen in the strife. There is an awl thrust through his skin.â The old man lifted up the cloak, And put it back. âI found him on the road.â âYour folk Hate Jews, my friend. And thereâs no lack Of corpses on that road. What do You want from me For this?â âI want to know from you About the awl. And I would be Obliged if you would tell me what It means.â âAll right. A year ago, tonight, we shut His motherâs eyes. And every light Went out for him. But just before She died, she called Him. It was early, and a score Of birds were singing. So enthralled, She seemed, then said to him, âMy child, With singing birds, I give you now my awl.ââ He smiled, âShe always had a way with words.â John Piper