Ahava watched as her old
friends Bakky and Ezra used Nimrod’s abilities to cull the young rams from the flock. It was tiring business, and she
couldn’t help but see how her beloved pet rested often on his belly, legs stretched out in front of him as his tongue
loll4ed wetly from his mouth. Both of his grown sons had inherited his instinctive love for herding but they lacked the daring
he had in charging at the aggressive young males, running just beyond the reach of the curved horns until their impetus carried
them into the walled enclosure, then wiggling under the gate to watch happily as the enraged animal realized his dilemma and
butted himself into submission against the sun dried bricks. It was a moment’s respite from her constant concern that
even this far away from the main house they might be found. They couldn’t leave until Isaac found Simon’s hiding
place and shared his sense of urgency in their being called so far away from home. When she smelled body odor and the grunting
approach of bodies, she whirled anxiously, her heart in her throat! Wishing she was any place but here!
Thinking that the young matron was readying to send her away, Jedidah moved the heavy boy to her other arm.
“ Abba and Ima said if anything ever happened to them I was to seek out Abba, and I would
be safe. This is my brother Nathaniel Jesus, Ab…Sh’muel’s son. He was born the year we had to leave Cana?
“
“ I remember your mother...Hodesh. “
“
Hodesh. “ The weary eighteen year old added, almost dropping the wiggling
nine-year old, thinking that the too young looking woman might not remember so long ago. She nodded in
gratitude and released the long limbed youth to the ground with a sight that caught Ahava off guard “
They took my parents away and killed them. They took Daniel in my place, but he died of the wounds in defending me.
I have no left if Abba turns me away. “
“ He would
never do that, my Heart. “ Ahava assured the weeping young woman, stoking her
hair as matted and oily as it was. “ Our home is your home for as long as you
and the boy wish to stay. “
“ Forever Dode Beloved, forever! I never want to be so alone or so scared again in my life!
“ The girl sobbed, laying her head on her shoulder and weeping until the force of her emotions
subdued her.
By the time Isaac came to the tent, his eldest daughter was bathed, her hair scented with the citron shampoo Ahava
still made from her mother’s recipe, and although the clean clothes showing under the blanket were several sizes too
large for her in her emaciated state, she was clean and softly fragrant, like the sleeping child nestled against her for comfort
in this strange place.
“ They’re staying with us, Husband! “ Ahava
said grimly.
“ Of course they are, Woman. “ He agreed, with
tears forming in his eyes as he sat down, stunned beyond comprehension.
“ Her
young husband was killed, with her mother and father, This is the boy Hodesh was carrying when she had to flee Cana. They
died for the Master’s sake. “
“ And I
live? Where is the justice to that? Never have I known finer people that Hodesh and Sh’muel!
“ He struck his chest painfully, in rejection of his continued existence.
Ahava knelt
slowly in front of him. “ You kept your word and danced at her wedding, remember?
“
He glared at her, promising violence if she tried to placate him.
“ So?
“
“ You pledged your unspoken word to Sh’muel that you would guard his child just as he
guarded yours at their time of need. If for no other reason than to be here to provide something I know is as meaningful to
you as it is to me; that would be reason enough to rejoice that you can be here now, at this time and this place, my Husband.
“
He reached out tenderly to accept her love and her words.
“ Never
have you been more beloved to me, my Heart. “
“ Nor
you to me, Isaac. “ She said at last, startling him from his private thoughts
and grief.
-
Ahava
didn’t know whether to spank her brother Simon for scaring her so badly by dropping over the wall in the first hours
of dark, or to hug him to her chest and never let him go. His eyes carried a burden that broke her heart to see. Later when
Isaac sought her out, she already guessed what he had come for. Since they had rescued Deborah and her two sons, they had
no further reason to put off helping him to find Elisheba and rescue his son as well.
“
I don’t want to do this, Beloved. Take you away from everything and everyone we know in search of a woman who’d
kill rather than give up her only child. “ Isaac said softly, although this was the very reason they
had returned to Mount Moria’s shadow. “ It’s not because the threat isn’t
real, I couldn’t care more if my own son had been kidnapped and placed in that position to grow up with bloodthirsty
men. But I don’t feel I have the right to take my sword away from men and women who’ve trusted me and trusted
in the LORD when I know how desperately I’m needed here too! “
“
Are you telling me or asking my permission? “
“
Sometimes I wish you’d be a better wife! More submissive! “
She only laughed. They both knew better than to hope for that now. She’d already clashed with her cherished Cephas
for the right for her and the Magdalene to teach because there weren’t enough men available who’d been with the
LORD from the beginning of His ministry! A mere husband wasn’t going to intimidate her with his authority now!
Glancing over to see that their son was sound asleep beside the speckled dog, he reached over and grapped her arm in
mock battle. It delighted him to see her grow more independent and resilient, but there was always a core worry in the back
of his mind that she would step over the line and attempt to become as dominating as her sister had been.
As if to reassure him, or perhaps herself, she yielded against him physically and laid her head on his shoulder. She
hadn’t expected to grow another inch after she’d had a child, but the difference in their height seemed to help
negate the vast difference in their ages.
“ Men and women have died, love. More will die. I’m beginning to fear that you
and I will share my brother’s fate. But when my fear gets at its worst, I just remember what Jesus said, ‘ In
the world you will have tribulation. But fear not, I have overcome the world! Some will
choose life, and some will chose death, just like when Moses offered them the choice at Sinai. “
“ That’s just it. I want to stay and help those who have. I know Elisheba has
rejected it. I know with personal sincerity that Simon’s concern is only to get his son, how he will raise him after
that I’ve been bluntly told is none of my business. “
“
So if he lied to you and promised to raise him in the Way, you’d help him? “
Isaac pulled away from her so tangibly it was like a blow, but Ahava lowered her eyes and tried to hide it.
“ Woman! Trying to be around you is like trying to hug a branch full of Acadia thorns!
Why must you be so hard? “
“
I’m sorry. “ She said contritely, closing the distance
between them before it could become a physical barrier.
“ Let’s
pray, and then sleep on it. Perhaps in the light, I’ll know what to do....You aren’t going to sneak off and help
him like you did before are you? “
“
No. “ She answered so softly that he turned, accidentally knocking
her hand aside. He was too quick for her to hide the pain of his remark, and she ended up telling him the entire story of
Simon’s betrayal and her own. Oddly, as they reclined against one another fully clothed, she felt more joined to him
than she did even when they were in physical union. The untold story had been a wall he sensed but could never climb.
“ I think I should help him. But you’ll come along with me, won’t you?.
I don’t think I realized how much we need a home. Travel is for younger men. “
Her silence was a companion reply.
“ I wish your mother would come with us. “
He said softly, even knowing its futility but his only answer was a soft snore as she cuddled beside him for warmth.
“ Oh Beloved! You’re going to be the death of me yet!
“ He teased, covering them both with his cloak. he fell asleep listening to the older dog
scratch intently at a flea before drifting back to sleep as well.
Isaac wrapped his cloak around him. he felt strange to be fully dress with dagger and sword again, as if he were trying
to be that dead self again in this city. He did his best to appear interested in his brother-in-law’s repeated questions
but having answered them all twice, he was growing irritated with the nervous habit of rechecking. One you prepared for battle
you took on only what you remembered the first time. Thaddeus stood near, but seemed to offer more contention that confidence
as they prepared for their difficult journey north. Simon seemed to resent his efficiency, his calm acceptance of the role
thrust on his shoulders although he was two years younger than the Master. As the son of Mary’s sister, and one of Jesus’
closest companions with Young John and the Magdalene, he had been invested with a saintliness his mild but purposeful nature
deplored. Ahava resented his closeness with him, remembering how differently he treated her as a child who was simply beginning
to grow up, but Isaac knew that shyness and diffidence was a natural expression of his respect for all women. He simply couldn’t
make his strong willed young wife to see that some men are naturally shy around women, even their own relatives. Perhaps this
journey would bring peace by forcing them to associate with each other in such close quarters for so many months that he own
natural perception would lead her to the conclusion he seemed unable to make her understand, being immediately suspect as
a male himself. He wished Uzziah had completed his initial decision to join them, but he was too intimidated
by Deborah and the presence of the two boys, who naturally still clung to his mother’s side, especially after his ‘kidnapping’
and her long delay in returning to him.
“
Are you sure of your information? That she has a brother in Damascus and is on her way there now?
“
He started to tune out the answer then realized it was one he hadn’t asked before. As he turned to view the speaker,
his gaze caught the big fisherman, who was looking around the courtyard apprehensively. Cephas smiled and shrugged deeper
into his cloak the moment he saw him, and started to walk over.
“
Yes, Simon. The man who told me is my friend, not hers. “
“
Isaac! Isaac, good! You’re here. I’ve news that’s just arrived I want you to hear.
Is your wife, the little one near? Her mother wants to say good-bye to her and Deborah before you leave. “
“ I don’t wish to delay over long, Cephas! “
Isaac warned, in a sudden rush of nerves.
“ Of course not. “ The big fisherman
agreed. “ I wish I were going with you, but Naomi is ill. Perhaps in Damascus
then, after she recovers? We’ll visit. I understand you plan to settle there till Jesus returns?
“
“ If there’s time. Yes. “
“
I shall miss you. “ Cephas said with sudden regret. “
We are the same age and yet you feel like a son to me. How strange. Age makes us do and say strange
things, doesn’t it? “
“
It must be my young wife, she makes me seem younger. “
Cephas
nodded without speaking as tears threatened to well up in his eyes despite his sternest demand that they remain hidden,
Mary remained seated, but reached up both her arms to her daughter’s embrace. Ahava knelt between her mother’s
legs and Deborah hunched down behind her, supporting her younger sister’s weight on her knees.
“ I shall not see you again in the flesh, my loves. My heart knows that
you are beginning a journey for the Father the likes of which you cannot even yet imagine and I am so pleased and so proud
of each of you! As you have made me all the days of your lives, my dearest ones. Since your father died you have been a support
to me in caring for the boys, in making my life easier, and in filling a mother’s heart with more joy than even two
women might contain. How I love you and how I miss you already. But I wouldn’t keep you from this wondrous journey,
even if it were in my power. Please remember and believe that we will meet again someday! And then, never again to be parted!
Jesus said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to
myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And there we shall be, where pain and sorrow and loss are no more!
“ She stopped, out of breath, stunned by her daughter’s soft sobs and how much she truly missed
them even as they remained close to her in the flesh “ I wish to bless you
before I go. Deborah, my strong willed and beautiful one, first born of our time in Egypt, you have been as consistent as
the Nile in its life giving powers, although you too occasionally run high and flood over your bands. “
She was rewarded with her oldest daughter’s laugh and a touch of a hand that was cold and spotted with age, though
she hardly felt as old as he daughter looked.
“ My blessing to you is that you may revel in obedience and submission to your Heavenly
Father’s will and continue to bless the lives you come in contact with, by your unique good and special insight, having
been where so few others have been and returned. May you see your son grown strong, with sons of his own and daughters-in-law
who weep at your passing.
“ And our little Hava? How do I hope to bless you more than the High and
Holy One has already done, Blessed be His name? Abba named you ‘Beloved’ the moment they laid
you in his arms, still bloody and steaming from my womb, and how perceptive he was. How you have been beloved to us, and to
those worthy of your concern. “
She paused with
a trembling sigh, then her smile deepened as she looked at both women who were watching her face so intently, a peace sweeping
over her that none of the terrible partings today could strip from her grasp again.
“
My blessing to you is that you learn from your sister and be the help to her that she has always been to me. To continue
to be a good wife and a good mother. But most of all, my Glories! “
She
took a hand from each into her own.
“ I pray that neither of you will breath your last, until the even the smallest
and least dream which the LORD GOD Almighty has placed in your hearts, be fulfilled. Until we meet again in the glories
of the eternal, kiss me goodbye and know that my love for you is as real as the next breath you take. “
The tears would no longer be denied and she clung to them as long as she had the strength. But when the tension and
the noise increased with the coming of light, there could be no further delay allowed. Saul of Tarsus, the son and the grandson
of learned and well respected Pharisees was to leave that very day for Damascus, and while they were there seeking Elisheba,
Cephas had asked them to send letters of warning to the chief elders whose names were on the lost to be imprisoned or killed
for their faith.
They had to be on their way and pray that some miracle would allow them to overtake the hostile party, unseen, and
perhaps be permitted to arrive there before them. The depth of their loss didn’t hit her until they stepped over the
northern most boundaries she had traveled with Jesus and His disciples four and a half years ago and they began to make a
night camp in strange places where people spoke to one another in languages that were foreign to her. Her milk soured for
a week, but Little Simon continued to thrive on goat’s milk and the constant attention of the girl he assumed now was
his own sister, but as she lay in Isaac’s arms that night she couldn’t stop the tears.
“
I shouldn’t have demanded to come with you, let me turn back and wait for you at your mother’s house in
Capernaum. She’s a believer now, Isaac. “
“
I wouldn’t know how to breath if you weren’t here with me at my side, Little One. I have these terrible
nightmares of the day Abba turned against me. I hear you screaming my name and I fear it’s you whose
tied to the scourging post, not me, and I can’t get to you. All I can do is wake myself and touch you, and try not to
waken you with my own fears. If you need to turn back, so be it. But Uriel and Little Simon and Michael Yisrael will return
with us, and doubtless your sister, She’s about ready to throttle Simon for trying to hurry us anyhow. “
She shared his smile, but inwardly she was in Jerusalem again, leaned against her mother’s knee, with her much
cherished sister pressed hard against her like a second skin.
“ Doesn’t
it seem odd that we should both be plagued by such dreams demanding we turn back? “
“ What do you mean, Dear Heart? " He asked,
making room for her to snuggle up next to him under the new bearskin. It was heavy with dark, luxurious fur and it kept them
almost too warm once their bodies adjusted to the weather.
“ It’s
like the enemy is afraid. “ She suggested tentatively.
“ How? Why? What could wee do to threaten him?
“
“
Tell others what Jesus said. Being evil, he fears the power of love. He makes us feel his fear and we assume its our
own? Does that make me sound crazy? “
“
Less crazy than you do to me on a normal day? “ He teased, braced
for her punch on his stomach or arm. He enjoyed the meeting of spirits that was his in this second marriage as much as he
had enjoyed the physical side of his youthful joining to the lovely Julia-Ephrata, Each love was as different as he was the
time of its sharing. Then he added thoughtfully. “ I keep thinking about that
blessing your mother gave you, that each of you are on a journey in life that the Father has planned. It gives me such peace
just being near you. I still find myself trying to tell Him how this should or shouldn’t operate, and then when He proves
right, I’m a little stung. “
“ Typical
man. “
He tensed and looked down but saw such love shinning sweetly in her eyes that he instantly forgave her and reaching
down to plunder her waiting kiss, he asked in his gentlest tones.
“
When were you going to tell me you’re going to have another baby? “
He delighted in feeling her start with surprise. It seemed as though he caught her less and less off guard as she and
her older sister grew close in body and spirit.
“ I only suspected this afternoon, Ba’nel! How could you know?
“
“ I can taste it in your kiss. “
She
struggled vainly to get free of his tender embrace.
“ And you’ve kissed so many pregnant women you can tell! “
She raged.
“ Oh yes! “ He agreed stoically, pulling
her stiff and resisting body for a deep, prolonged kiss, “ And this
one, and this one. “ Until she melted into his arms and they were as one
again.
The next morning however the rightness of their quest came into serious question for Ahava. As she sat up to say her
morning prayers before Little Simon woke, demanding her full attention, she found herself strangely drained and troubled.
Though she said the familiar words with her mouth and with her mind, they remained vacant and unfulfilled. She tried wiggling
to a more comfortable position when she noticed that Nimrod was peculiarly still. he usually raised his head to look at her
when she sat up, thumping his tail in greeting even if he laid back down beside the boy whom he chosen for his own.
The knowledge of death struck her with chill horror. Her childhood chum was dead! She knew it before she laid a hand
on his clammy form or saw the bloody cut across his throat. The toddler who should have been asleep beside him was nothing
more than a bundled roll of rags! She recoiled with horror and screamed before she knew she had the scream within her. Turning
she found Isaac next to her, but he was blue and barely breathing! This had to be a dream, a terrible dream! Any minute now
she would waken and it would be over! But as she leaped to her bare feet, she saw the movement of the angry scorpion and her
heart nearly stopped for fear.
“ In the name of GOD and the power of Jesus I curse you! “
She screamed. And her words sounded like the words of a mad woman in her own ears. She had nothing to crush the foul
creature except the loose ‘head’ of the mock infant’s form and she threw herself on the scuttling creature.
It eluded her fist and ran under her kneecap. Pressing down on it with every fisherman’s oath or nasty word she’d
heard among her brothers, she put her whole weight on the thin, corded beast and felt it give under her weight.
Although it took only moments for someone to come to their aid, Ahava was on the floor thrashing in a violent convulsion
while the man and the dog lay deathly still. It took most of the morning to rouse the sick man to the point of consciousness
as medicine and prayer were applied with sincere hearts and shattered minds. Once she regained consciousness, the woman, dressed
only in her long sleeping robe, held the stiff form of her cherished pet, rocking back and forth with such violence they feared
she would hurt herself. She refused to give up the speckled form, murmuring prayers, demanding answers of an invisible GOD
whom none of them recognized in her state of demented terror. When Isaac recovered enough to stagger over to his weeping wife,
he tried to comfort her, promising they would begin to search for their son as soon as she gave up the lifeless form in her
arms.
“ You know who it was! “ She challenged,
as if he were the one responsible.
“ I know. “ Simon agreed miserably,
kneeling beside them, more grief stricken than either bereaved parent. “ I tried to take her son,
so to punish me, she took your son, Beloved. If I could exchange my life for his, I would! “
Isaac kept from laying hands on his brother-in-law with only the greatest effort of will he’d ever exercised.
“ Take the dead beast. ‘Hava. I order you to get dressed and eat.
Every minute we sit here, she gets further and further away with our son. “
“ You can’t take him! You can’t take him! He’s
the only one who knows their scent! He’s the only one that can follow them to where Simon is hidden!
“
“ I understand your pain! But Woman! “
Isaac exploded. “ The living come before the dead. We can’t pray everything back into
our lives no matter how much we want it! Simon! Take the dog then come with me so she can get dressed. “
With a look of regret, Simon moved to obey. The limp form gave a tiny moan of pain at being moved. Open mouthed and
with his heart in his throat, the twenty-five year old jerked back his hand and stared up at the standing man, demanding confirmation
for the lie of his own senses. All the color drained from the standing warrior’s face and he fell to his knees dumbstruck,
unable to think or to breath or speak.
Slowly, as if it hurt to move, the speckled dog raised his head and looked at them, Life was animating his eyes, the
piercing blue and deeply shaded green were visibly focusing, as if he had been wakened too suddenly from a deep sleep to be
able to focus at anything near by. He reached out tentatively and gave Simon’s hand a few licks before he laid his head
back down in his mistress’ lap, exhausted by the effort but feeling more and more freedom to move, trapped inside his
own body in a manner beyond his comprehension. By the time Ahava was dressed, he was standing up and trying to shake himself,
but falling over in the effort. If he were a person, she would have guessed him too drunk to be able to stand on his own two
feet.
She forced herself to eat and to make her scattered thoughts center on what they needed to do. They followed the dog,
frightening him a little in their intensity. He simply lifted his leg and then returned to camp to drink, remaining there
so long that Isaac wanted to kick him to move him away from the water! Whether the dog had really been dead or merely immobilized
by poison he couldn’t say and didn’t care. All that mattered was that the dog was indeed the only one to follow
the scent trail before it rained!
Refusing anything to eat, as if he didn’t want to mix with the scents still trapped in his nose, Nimrod’s
movements began to pick up and quicken as he staggered to the blankets inside the tent where his pack had been sleeping when
he was attacked last night. His hackles raised on the back of his neck even before his low growl was heard and for an instant,
he stood stock still, then whirling with fangs exposed, he ran between the legs of the startled men who had been watching
him with growing uncertainty.
“ He’s gone mad! Stone him! Stone him! “
Ahava raced forward and knocked the frightened stranger to the ground. Deborah and Simon had to combine their strength
to make her get up from the screaming youth, who covered his eyes and yowled at the top of his lungs. It almost drowned out
the brief hunting cry Nimrod gave as he ran swiftly across the rocks, his tail held high and his nose close to the ground.
Like a man=woman herself, Ahava broke free of their strong grip and began to run after the disappearing speck on the
near horizon. Only then did Isaac’s wits return to him enough to chase after her but she and the dog had a tremendous
head start! Ahava was out of breath and trying to run against the increasing pain in her side when she saw the
crowd racing toward her. A small, dark shape leading the howling mob. Then they saw her and seven of the nine men stopped
as best they could and tried to run the other way. Only to encounter a group of well dressed strangers mounted on horseback.
Little Simon sat in the middle of the road unattended, crying as if his heart would break! Only when the familiar shape
of the speckled dog swept over him and stood guard did his tears stop. Using a handful of short hair and skin, the toddler
pulled himself to his feet, watching as his father and Mother ran to seize him up in the arms of love again!
Saul of Tarsus glared at the men as he noticed their drawn swords and daggers. He had impulsively mounted to join the
race thinking only the grey eared beast, now so docile beside the weeping mother and infant, was a run away. Before he could
confront of accuse them, they saw the two men running toward them, out of breath and they scattered to the high ground, each
in a different direction! By the time he had his plunging mount calmed, the men were beside the tear stained woman and the
boy.
He dismounted warily, eyeing the dog whose differing colored eyes made him look hostile, and spoke briefly with the
taller man. The story was easy to guess, seeing the striking similarity between father and son. His eyes narrowed and he used
his best manners, hoping to put the tall, out of breath man at ease. Going so far as to invite them to join him and his companions
to forestall any further predations by bandits or thieves. But he guessed rightly, that the tall, scarred Roman recognized
him as well as he had from the day he held the cloaks for the others who stoned that young man, beginning this new life’s
quest for El Gebor, the mighty and Holy One, Blessed be His name! The man was a Christian,
and Saul sought out his name with his most gracious tone, smiling when the young woman leaned against him so gratefully gave
it to him. It would be added to the list as soon as they arrived in Damascus.
‘
But I will arrest them last, and hope they have the wit to flee. ‘
He thought to himself as he looked longer and longer at the mother kissing and holding her young son. It was more than
physical beauty, there was something about her that drew his attention in a way no woman had before. In face, he found himself
saying goodbye to them with a kiss and a sincere embrace as they returned to gather their equipment and the rest of their
group. He felt strangely numb as he remounted, as if there were something he meant to do, a task of great urgency, but for
the moment his mind was a complete blank about what it was that had seemed so important to do? At last he shrugged it off.
If it was important enough, it would come back to him once they were on the road again.
Isaac
tried to argue them out of accepting the invitation to join the group, however religious they appeared to be on the surface,
but Ahava was so terrified of sleeping on the trail alone for even one more night, knowing that Elisheba was near and would
now be angrier than ever, simply picked up her belongings and started down the road as quickly as she could make the patient
little donkey trot. The others had no choice but to follow.
They were already so upset
Isaac decided not to tell them who Saul was, at least until they reached the city where they could disappear into the masses
who lived there already. Simon left them first.
“ Tell Beloved how dear she is to me, but I have to find my son as surely as she did
hers! “ Simon said with such regret in his voice it was if he were going
to step off the face of the earth!
“ I’ll go with you, Simon. “
Not
even his older sister’s tears or pleas could turn him aside. He watched them until they were almost out of sight as
they looked for camp to wait out the coming storm. He was headed for a likely tumble of rocks and bushes where water could
be found. All the things he had learned about living off the land and how the zealots operated were now in his arsenal to
use against his wife and redeem his son! When the older man held the frightened infant close enough for the dog to catch the
woman’s scent on the boy’s clothing, Nimrod’s hackles raised alarmingly. Isaac had to thrust the whimpering
boy into his mother’s arms as the long legged dog began to cast around for the faint scent where the woman had doubled
back after leaving the child in the middle of the road. Because the day grew overcast there was no way to tell how long they
waited as Ahava fed and rocked the child until he stuck his thumb into his puckered mouth and slept in absolute contentment.
When she heard Nimrod bark in weary greeting, she forced her stiffened muscles to allow her to rise, racing to the
door of the tent. Two men, one carrying a larger boy on his shoulder than the size she’d become accustomed too with
the younger boy, a joyful cry of praise tore itself from her throat just as the crash of thunder followed a brilliant bold
of lightening that started in the east and instantly lit up the entire landscape!
There was a shocking degree of confusion in the well equipped group that filled her with great unease as she caught
up with them. The young Pharisee who’d spoken to her so kindly was laying on the ground, his hand groping as if daylight
had turned to night. her out of breath approach frightened the awe-struck men and they simply fled, leaving her and Little
Simon and the animals to held the babbling mad man to his feet. She felt such great pity for him as he clung to her arm, mouthing
words that simply made no sense! Tears rolled down his cheeks in great floods and he was praising GOD in a voice she’d
never heard before. She was actually grateful when Isaac showed up, to help support the man’s greater weight.
“ I have seen the LORD! I have seen him! “
The young man said in awe, his face radiant as he stood trembling, then more words poured out. Whom he had seen, and
what had been said to him! As Isaac listened, tears rolled down his own cheeks and he closed his eyes humbly to repent and
pray even though the man clinging to him, as if for life, couldn’t see or intrude on this final act of surrender. It
was finally decided to take him with them to Damascus, where they hoped his fellow travelers would wait for him, as soon as
their wits cleared.
Saul agreed, deeply appreciative of their kindness, thinking that the tall one who seemed to be the leader might not
have recognized him after all. Or if he had, wasn’t going to hold it against him. It reflected the purity and peace
flowing into his being as revelation upon revelation presented itself to his blinded eyes, and verse and chapter he’d
learned as a boy and a man at the feet of the great teachers in Jerusalem, appeared before him now, as if written on a scroll,
and he understood with clarity how they were to be interpreted by the light of GOD’S wisdom, now flowing through him,
although he was still but a mortal man. He reached for the warmth of the arm he felt being held out before his blind eyes.
They widened in surprise at the hard, corded muscles and stocky frame his fingers tentatively encountered. Inwardly he wondered
if the man helping him now was one of the many who’d lost family or children to the zeal that burned so brightly in
him before this encounter? Could he be so quick his helpless enemy, if the cost had been so high in his own life at this man’s
hands? But outwardly he tried to recover some semblance of dignity, knowing that his clothes were dusty and twisted, and he
could only imagine what he looked like, staring out sightlessly at the vision of the Man and the tender and regret filled
Face so engraved on his awe struck brain.
“
You’re a man accustomed to hard work and a difficult life, friend. “
He spoke quietly, amazed at the trust he could feel toward a stranger whose true intentions he could never see or defend
against. The deep male voice near his ear seemed oddly familiar, a Roman accent unless he was mistaken. An educated man. He
breathed a small sigh of relief.
“ None so hard as we are about to face, Brother Saul. “
He said in flawless Aramaic.
“ Paul. “ The man suggested,
his fingers tightening on the unseen arm.
“ Paul, then. My name is Isaac. Isaac ben Judah, and we serve the same Master,
Brother Paul. “
His reward was a shining smile that left no doubt as to its wearer’s sincerity.
Isaac felt comfortable in speaking to the man he recognized was somehow changed from
the equally committed young firebrand breathing out threats and slaughter against the LORD’S own, whom he now worshiped
now with all his whole being.
“ My wife Beloved is the youngest sister of the Master, after the flesh. She grew up
at his side and the stories she tells are endearing, though from a woman’s perspective, I fear, sir. “
“ I’m looking forward to hearing anything I can. A woman’s tender attention
to detail can often be a gift we overlook by its necessity in our lives. You’re silent, have I offended
you? “
Isaac reached over with his free hand and patted the chilled fingers gripping to his arm as he sought a way forward
with the fewest obstacles to cause the newly blinded man to stumble. There were tears in his eyes as he spoke, bending down
to rough house with the leggy, speckled dog playing at their feet. Unaccustomed to such rushes of emotion in the presence
of a man he respected as deeply as he did the short intense man at his side.
“
We can speak of Him in the present tense, for bemet, of a truth, He is alive! “
“ As are we, now, my friend. “ Paul
assured him in a low voice, reaching down toward the happy growls of the aging speckled dog attempted to chew the loose strap
from his left sandal.
* * * *
Sunday, 1st of Ethanim
Second watch of the day
110
AD
City of Antioch
“ Oh, Savta! “ Havala
exclaimed. Laying the pen down and massaging the area between her thumb and finger to ease some of the
strain of writing for three days. “ What a wonderful story!
“
“ What’s that? It sounds like....it is! Why
are the shofars being sounded so urgently at this time of day? Weren’t they sounded for the holiday
this morning at dawn? I thought I heard them, Havala. Loud voices! Crying! Child,
what is it? Please! Go and see and then return, as quickly as your dear little feet will carry you.
“
“ It’s only cousin Michael’s son, Sophereth, Savta! He’s very
dirty and out of breath. Dod Simon and Abba are talking to him, he’s sitting down now. Oh! They’ve closed the
door. Now I can’t tell. “
“ Perhaps he brings more news of bloodshed against the Brethren? They
have stopped and been turned away! Oh they must have! I was so worried for nothing. Come Child, sit near me. I don’t
want to be alone. “
“
You don’t have to be afraid, Savta. You’re not alone. “
“ I was afraid. It’s been so long a time without Him, Child, Much longer
than even your father has been alive. But I’m not afraid any more. I promise. Is Isaac asleep? I
don’t hear him. “
“
No. Abba had something for him to do. He makes too much noise when he gets bored Savta, and Paul is afraid...I mean...Abba
is afraid he’ll disturb you. “
“ I’ll be sleeping soon enough, Little One. I like to hear the sounds of you children
playing. What a beautiful voice you have. I wish I could see you better. “
“ Bashemath says my eyes are too close together and my brows are too thick, that
I’ll have to marry a butcher because my lashes are so long that I look like an ox! I’ll never be beautiful, Savta!
“ Though it hurt to raise her arm, she reached over in the direction of the child’s
sighs, hearing the sound of running feet that passed them by without even stopping and a quickening of her heart beat over
the pressure in her chest warned her that something out of the ordinary had happened.
“ I wish I could see what your eyes saw, Savta. “
The young girl’s lack of comprehension about what was happening behind the closed door was strangely reassuring
to the old woman. She’d spent so much time in the company of her long dead beloved that they were as near to her as
the flesh of her youngest son’s youngest girl; perhaps more so, for inwardly she could see them as clearly as if they
were gathering together in front of her now.
“ That was such a wonderful story, Savta!
“
The young girl’s voice repeated, from over
her head, strained slightly as if she were lifting her arms over her head and stretching them. Probably yawning a small yawn
as she sought to get feeling back into her cramped fingers after writing for so long. A bird scratched in the midst of loose
gravel somewhere near by and the air filled with a strange and sweet perfume.
“ There’s
so many other things I want to know! Did Joses and Jael ever get back together again, or did he learn to
love Abigail? Did Simon find Elisheba and their son Or did Caleb grow up with the zealots? ...Savta?
I’ll wait, you must be very tired.....Would you like a sip of your tea? It should be cooler now....Savta?
Grandmother1 Oh, Abba! Abba? “
“ Is Ima awake? We have to pack! Fast! Ask
me no questions Child, just hurry! Do as I say while I prepare Ima for the arduous journey. “
“ She was awake a minute ago. She has a pain, I’ll go get her some goat’s
milk and wine. “
“
Don’t trouble yourself, Children. She’s gone from us. “
“ Paul, no! “
“ Oh Havala! You must be strong for me1 This is no life that I
have given you. Would the Prince of peace come even now to protect and shield us in His great love! I cannot,
and Ima...Ima! Come back to me! “
“ Abba, no! Abba, don’t cry! She’s only gone to be with
grandfather at last. Look at her smile! I can tell! “
She didn’t see her older sister until she spoke, griping the edge of the doorsill to try and keep her feet.
“ Oh, Beloved! You’re such a dreamer!
“
The End
