A Review: Father Ten Boom: God's Man by Corrie Ten Boom
Father Ten Boom: God's Man by Corrie ten Boom is a riveting biography of Corrie's beloved father--Casper ten Boom. In it, eighty-five year old Corrie shares intimate stories of her father from the last time she saw him as they were imprisoned by the Gestapo to all the memorable times she shared with him at the Beje.
The first words of Corrie's book is a verse from Deuteronomy 32:7 in which Moses wrote, "Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee."
Corrie begins by telling how Peter Casper's grandson had found an old chest full of letters and books from her great-grandfather, her grandfather, and her parents. Of this past history she declares, "When we dig up gold of the past, it must be beaten unto useful coins for today. Past, present, and future belong together. … Our outlook goes beyond this world, and we are in training for eternity."
As a child Corrie recalled her excitement awaiting her father's stories one evening after their Bible reading. With the carillon of the Grote Kirk (church) ringing in background, Father told them of great-grandfather Gerrit and his life at the time of Napolean. Father related that the Bible was the main book in Gerrit's home, and that Gerrit had been a true man of prayer who had passed on his love of the Lord to Willem Casper's father.
Willem continued his father's godly legacy becoming a founder for the society for Israel. In 1844 Willem began a weekly prayer meeting for the Israel people being strongly interested in spreading the gospel to the Jews.
Because of his father's love for the Jews Casper too learned to love them. He told Corrie, "Love for the Jews was spoon-fed to me from my youngest years." This love was then passed to Betsie, Willem, Nollie, and Corrie. And Corrie later wrote, "How important childhood impressions are." This love then played a great role in the Ten Booms hiding Jews in their home during the war. What an influence the Ten Booms were on all who knew them. What a godly model for us to follow as well!
Willem Corrie's brother too became a real advocate and supporter of all things to do with Israel. In fact Willem was so saddened by the hatred and anti-Semitism that he titled his doctrinal thesis: "Modern Racial Anti-Semitism in France and Germany." Willem predicted that shortly more persecution of the Jews would be coming so as to send many over the border into Holland. Sadly, his vision of upcoming events proved true. Willem's young son Kik gave his life saving Jews during the war.
At the end of the book Corrie describes how the Ten Boom family was honored after the war in Israel at Yad Vashem a place of sad memories. Outside the main building is "The Avenue of the Righteous" where there's a tree was planted in recognition of all the Ten Boom family did and suffered as a result of saving Jewish lives during WWII. Corrie gave a talk the day of the planting ceremony in honor of Casper. As she stood outside the building with its eternal flame Corrie thought of her father who had said, "If I die in prison, it will an honor to have given my life for God's ancient people."
Corrie ends this biography mentioning that we love the Jews for giving us the Bible written by Jews, and the Savior who was a Jew and the Son of God--the Messiah. Even today hatred toward the Jews is evident here in our country, and world-wide. What a book to inspire us and instruct us to stand with Israel. Take every opportunity to teach your child the history of Israel past and the hope for Israel in the future. What an amazing story of a family who loved the Jewish people even to die saving them. As Scripture reminds us, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!" (Ps. 122:6)
Find this wonderful book at the Lighthouse Trails store, order it, and share it with your family and loved ones. Click here:
https://www.lighthousetrails.com/biographies/1488-father-ten-boom-gods-man.html
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