Excerpt
Chapter 1
Twilight blanketed the rocky Judean hills as Bethlehems
residents settled in for the night. The village sat on a hill surrounded by
grazing land. Small fires lit by isolated groups of shepherds dotted the
landscape. Rebekah helped her father,
Eleazar, pen the sheep and lambs. The sound of a wooden
flute wafted across the hills, serenading the flock.
After a long day, Eleazar, his
daughter Rebekah, his friend Caleb and Calebs family
sat around the fire and ate a simple soup made from warmed water and bread.
They kept their flocks close together at night for safety, but they also
enjoyed spending this time together to talk. Most of the shepherds around Bethlehem were brothers,
cousins, uncles, and fathers. Their families enjoyed a closeness that came from
sharing the hard lives of tending the sheep and defending themselves and their
flocks.
The men always shared stories and whispered about the
oppression they felt under the Romans and their cruel, alien king, Herod. After
finishing her soup Rebekah helped Calebs wife and
daughters clean up, scrubbing the utensils with sand to save the precious water
for the animals and themselves. She yawned and looked toward
Eleazar who smiled at his young daughter. At six years old,
Rebekah loved being in the fields with the sheep and
spending time with her father, even though it was hard work.
Rebekah snuggled up to a
motherless lamb, pulled her tattered cloak over her and listened as her father
and the other shepherds told familiar stories. They spoke of a night many years
before when angels had appeared and proclaimed that a deliverer had arrived,
and they had run to see a new baby boy who had just been born in an animal pen.
Shed heard the story many times but still found it captivating. Her father had
been one of the young shepherds who bore witness to this incredible event.
The familiar voices faded in her consciousness, her eyes
closed, and she drifted into peaceful sleep knowing her father sat nearby. She
dreamed of a bright star and a young mother with a new baby in her arms. Then
the dreams mingled with memories of her own mother who had died a year ago in
childbirth. Sometimes Rebekah still called out for
her mother in her sleep.
This night she slept silently but not peacefully. Struggling
out of a dream about her mother and infant brother, the little girl forced her
eyes open to see her father still talking to his clansmen. His soothing voice
calmed her fears, and she soon drifted back into sleep.
Eleazar was a changed man after
the death of his wife and son. To Rebekah he seemed
sad all the time. He didnt smile or laugh as he had when she was younger. With
the loss of his young wife, he only had Rebekah and
the flock to anchor his life and give it meaning.
One of the older shepherds told stories about the loss of
his own son. Soon after the birth that the angels had announced, Herods
solders had killed every boy under the age of two in Bethlehem in hopes of destroying the special
child that the shepherds had seen. Almost every family in the village lost a
child or grandchild to Herods insane jealousy.
Later, in the early hours of the morning when it was still
dark, Rebekah awoke to the sound of yelling and a
beast growlingscreeching. She tightened her hold on the lamb; her heart
pounding and eyes darting toward the noise, trying to see what was happening.
Eleazar, Caleb, and the others grabbed their staves and ran
to the sheep. The lioness attacked the animals and they scattered, bleating in
terror.
Eleazar reached the beast first
and struck it heavily across the shoulders. In a flash, teeth and claws turned,
tearing at his neck and ending his life so quickly Rebekah
couldnt comprehend what she saw. She screamed in horror and scrambled to her
feet. Running to Eleazar, she drew close and fainted
from shock.
***
Sometime later Rebekah returned
from the darkness and heard voices around her. She lay silently listening to
Caleb, his wife and the other shepherds. Her heart ached.
Who will take her?
I have enough mouths to feed.
Her father and mother were our friends.
Doesnt Eleazar have any family?
No. He never said he had anyone.
I heard Miriam say that she had family in Bethany, but they
disowned her when she married Eleazar.
Rebekah must be sent to them.
What if they wont take her?
We have to try.
Rebekah lay curled on her side,
hugging her legs. She lay on hay in the back of the shallow cave the shepherds
used as stables in cold weather. She felt deserted and alone. No one to love
her. No one to protect her. The image of her fathers death played over and
over in her mind. She couldnt close her eyes without seeing the pool of blood,
and she couldnt open here eyes without feeling the
sudden collapse of her world.
A womans shadow fell across her. The little girl held back
her tears and tightly closed her eyes. The woman gently shook her. Wake up,
child. You must eat, she said, holding out a bowl of bread soup.
Rebekah turned away without a
word. She fell into a restless sleep and awoke once again to quiet voices
around her. Dawn crept across the clear sky with pink and gold fingers reaching
for the day.
Rebekah, get up. Caleb is taking
you to your uncles house in Bethany,
the woman said. You must be quick, now.
The little girl rubbed her red-rimmed eyes and blinked. She
pulled her tattered cloak closer around herself and sat down near the fire. She
shivered. Her blank eyes looked into the firelight. She felt numb.
When the time came to leave, Calebs wife hugged
Rebekah and sent the child with her husband to find
Rebekahs uncle. It would be his responsibility to care for
the little girl. Families were supposed to be responsible for their brothers
or sisters orphaned children. She felt pity for Rebekah,
but she had children of her own to feed.
Caleb and Rebekah walked the
several miles to Bethany in silence. Rebekah followed
him not knowing what would become of her. She just had her sixth birthday when
the lambs were born. Tears left muddy tracks on her dusty face, dropped off her
chin and disappeared on the road.
Rebekahs eyes glazed; she saw
only the past. Her mother Miriams laughing eyes looked into
Rebekahs eyes with tenderness. Even though she had only
been five when her mother died, she already knew how to grind the grain for
bread. She would help her mother gather dried dung for the first fire of each
day. Sometimes Miriam had told Rebekah stories of her
own childhood in Bethany
where she had enough to eat, brothers and sisters to play with, and a warm bed
to sleep in every night. Her mother rarely spoke of her familys feelings about
Rebekahs father, but the little girl had overheard
the women talking. Her parents had married against the wishes of Miriams
parents at a time when marriages were arranged; but Miriam had been
strong-willed and had run away to marry Eleazar. When
her family found out, they disowned her. Her brother Benjamin had come to see
her once, when Rebekah was very small, but
Rebekah had no memory of her uncle.
After Miriams death, Eleazar kept
Rebekah with him and taught her the ways of
shepherds. They ate and slept in the fields like the sheep they tended, moving
constantly by day to find fresh patches of grass and water, making a simple
camp each night and huddling around a small fire if they could find wood to
burn. She could still see her father standing in his earthy cloak, shawl over
his head, the knotted ends moving gently in the breeze. Eleazars
eyes watched over the flock of shaggy, long eared sheep grazing on the fields
below Bethlehem.
Sometimes his eyes would drift up to the east of the village to the caves where
he had first seen that special baby boy. It was a long time since that night.
Eleazar was a gentle man to his family, a good steward of
his sheep, brave in the face of danger and strong in his love of Jehovah. He
had taught her the stories of her people around the campfire at night.
Caleb interrupted her painful musings of a happier time when
he pulled her to the side of the road.
A harsh voice yelled at them, Get out of the way!
Rebekah pushed her hair out of her
face and looked around her. Roman soldiers trampled the road behind her. She
half hid behind Caleb and peaked around at the spectacle.
Others on the road hurried out of the way. One old man
couldnt get his donkey to move fast enough, and the mounted Centurion waved
two soldiers toward the man. They beat the man and hacked at the animal with
their short swords. Then they returned to their ranks, and the Romans marched
on over the bodies as if they were part of the stones.
Caleb, Rebekah, and the other Jews
watched in horror as their callous oppressors marched by on their way to
Jerusalem. The Centurions sneered down at the people from their horses. Rows of
legionnaires, two abreast, followed until all 80 had passed the Jews standing
at the side of the road. Each legionnaire wore a short red tunic, plumed
helmet, scale armor consisting of iron plates in horizontal rows covering thick
leather padding over their torsos. Leather laces held the armor in place. A
short sword hung from a leather belt, and each carried two javelins and a
curved, oblong shield almost as tall as the soldiers were. There was nothing to
be gained from appealing to such men, and there was no point in challenging
them except to share the fate of the old man.
After the dust cleared from the passing soldiers, friends of
the dead man wept as they took his remains from the road. Rebekah
stood silent and wide-eyed, stomach churning, mouth dry. Caleb urged her on so
they could reach Bethany before nightfall when
robbers and thieves would roam the roads leading toward <Jerusalem in search of easy prey.
Rebekah
felt sick at her future.
Chapter 2
The village of Bethany lay on the eastern slope of the Mount
of Olives, just a few miles from Jerusalem. She had heard stories about the
city but had never seen it or the Temple
Mount even though it lay only ten
miles from her home in Bethlehem.
The land they walked through was hilly, with scattered olive trees, rocky soil,
and tightly terraced hills around the area tended by farmers. On their way to Bethany they passed a
large estate that lay not far outside the village. Tall wooden double gates
opened into what looked like a large walled complex. To Rebekah
it looked almost as big as the whole village
of Bethlehem.
When Caleb and Rebekah arrived in
Bethany the child felt exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Caleb looked
to find the men near the village gate, but it was late in the day. He didnt
know where to find Benjamin. People were already closing their houses and shops
for the night.
Caleb said, We will stay on the other side of Bethany.
There is an olive grove that I stayed in with my family for Passover a long
time ago. It will be quiet and no one will bother us there. I do not want to be
near the road or encounter the Romans again.
Rebekah followed Caleb silently
though the village and over the top of a hill. As they came over the crest
Caleb paused. Rebekah lifted her eyes to see, for the
first time, the city of Jerusalem.
She stared in disbelief at the sight. From the Mount of
Olives she could see the roadway into the east wall of the city.
The city wall was so tall that it covered all but the roof tops in the lower
section of the city. To the right she saw the East Gate and the Temple mount.
Caleb stood gazing at the city, overcome as always by its
size and beauty. Soon he stirred. We must make a place for the night here in
the olive grove. We will be safe here.
The little girl gathered fuel for a small fire. They ate
some unleavened bread and drank water from the goat skin bag. She felt numb and
exhausted. Covered with dust, her feet were black from walking all day and tear
stains still marked her cheeks. Slumping down across the fire from her fathers
friend, she fell into a deep but fitful sleep.
Caleb rose the next morning with the sun, awoke
Rebekah, and sent her for water down in the valley between
the Mount of Olives and the city wall. He pointed where to go and she went on
her way.
On returning, Caleb looked into her dull eyes. Wash
yourself so that your uncle will want to keep you. Then, we will go into Bethany and look for him.
He is a shopkeeper and can take good care of you. You may have to do work for
him, but it is better than being left alone.
Yes, Caleb, she answered quietly.
After washing, they walked over the hill toward Bethany. As
they wandered through the village some people were already setting out their
goods in the small market. Women walked the narrow streets with large earthen
jugs on their heads, stacks of sticks, and large skin-wrapped packages.
Caleb asked about Benjamin. He stopped several places and
was chased away as a beggar. Finally, he came to a man selling cucumbers and
herbs. Rebekah stood close by while Caleb talked with
him. She never smelled anything as fresh as the vegetables before.
You can find Benjamin down there on the way to the Jericho
road, The man pointed with a stubby finger in the direction they should go.
Shalom. May the Lord Jehovah bless you.
Achh! the man replied with a
dismissive wave of his hand.
Caleb stopped at a pottery shop. As he talked with the
shopkeeper, Rebekah peered into the cramped space.
Shelves of different sized jugs lined one wall. The shopkeeper stood behind a
half wall which displayed oil lamps, jars, and a few bowls that could be seen
from the street. In the back corner she saw a man sitting on a stool shaping a
jar on a potters wheel. Slurry covered his hands and arms. Wet jars sat on the
floor around him. An open door at the back of the shop revealed a small
courtyard. She could see two men in front of what looked like a huge fire
place. They were putting wood on a fire in the lower opening and jars in what
looked like an oven to her.
His shop is three down and across the way. Benjamin did not
know you were coming, the shopkeeper commented. He came out from behind his wares
and looked the little girl over. She looked down at her feet and held her cloak
close around her head.
Shalom. May the Lord... Caleb replied politely, but the
man had already turned his back and dismissed them.
They could see a shop with wool and flax cloth, and woven
rugs in earth tones. A few colorful rugs with rich greens and blues stood in
the back where passers by couldnt dirty the finer
rugs and cloth. Only those who could afford them could touch them. A rough
wooden door in the back of the narrow shop was closed. A double wood door stood
just to the left of the shop. A stone and mud wall went to the end of the
street, and beyond the wall they could see the Jericho road in the distance.
Rebekah shuddered as she looked at
the man in the shop. Could this be her uncle? He haggled fiercely with a
customer. Both mens voices cut though the air and their hands waived like
windmills. Caleb stood and waited until they finished their bargaining and the
customer went away with his small rug tucked under one arm. Benjamin counted
his money and stuffed it into the folds of his sash, looked up to notice the
shepherd standing near his wares. He scowled and waved his hands at them. Go
away. I dont feed beggars, He turned his back.
Caleb knew well that shepherds were considered the lowest
class. He took a deep breath and said to the mans back, We are not beggars. I
have come to find Benjamin; the brother of Miriam who married
Eleazar, the shepherd.
The man turned slowly and his eyes narrowed. What do you want
from him?
I have business with him, the young shepherd squared his
shoulders and looked directly into his hard brown eyes.
What kind of business could you possibly have?
Rebekah stood close to Caleb
trying to stay out of the penetrating gaze of this crude shopkeeper.
Caleb said, Do you know where I could find him?
I am he. Everyone in Bethany
knows me. What do you want? I have business at hand. Benjamin nodded to two
men as they walked past.
You are Benjamin?
Yes. I
Caleb interrupted and pushed Rebekah
in front of him. She trembled under his hands on her shoulders. This is
Rebekah. She is your sisters child.
What do I care? I have not seen my sister in years. She
chose her life with that shepherd. She is not part of our family since before
my father and mother died.
Please, your sister is dead.
Then, let her father take care of her, Benjamin snapped.
He was killed by a lion attacking the flock. She has no
one. Miriam told us she had a brother in Bethany.
You.
Benjamin stared back at Caleb. No emotion on his face and
his mouth a straight line. Then, his eyes fell on the little girl. A tattered
cloak framed her streaked face. Her brown dirty tunic hung ragged on her sturdy
frame.
Caleb waited.
Benjamin sized up the little girl. A flicker of recognition
in the older mans eyes quickly turned to ice. Stepping closer he reached down
to the child and she pulled away. Look at me, child, he commanded with a
little less animosity in his voice.
Rebekah lifted her chin and looked
into her uncles brown, lined face. He pushed the shawl off her stringy brown
hair, and for a moment the lines in his face softened and his eyes showed
compassion. You look like your mother, he mumbled to himself. Then, he stood
back, cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes once more.
You want me to take her in, is that it?
Yes. We have little and cannot take her as our own.
What is in it for my wife and me?
She is strong and a good worker. She is good with lambs.
She can help with cooking and drawing water. I know she looks small, but she is
strong and obedient. She could be a useful addition to your household. A
daughter is not like having a son, but they can work. Caleb tried to sell the
idea to the shopkeeper.
Well, he sized up the child and scratched his bearded
chin. She could help my wife. He stood in silence, strolled out into the
street, and looked up and down at his friends and neighbors. Then, turning on
his heal, he walked back to Caleb and said without emotion, You asked around
the village for me? Others know of the child?
We asked people so we could find you.
With one more glance up and down the street, Benjamin saw
the rabbi walking toward them. The Torah does say that we are to care for
orphans and widows. She is my dead sisters child, no matter what else happened
between us. I will take her in, but not as a member of my family.
Shalom. May you...
Benjamin reached for the girl. He interrupted Caleb, I will
not pay you for her. Go back where you came from. I take her because it is my
duty under the Law of Moses.
Caleb turned to go. Benjamin pushed Rebekah
toward the back of the shop. She looked over her shoulder at her fathers
friend for the last time.
Come. You must meet your mistress. You have taken up enough
time. I have a business to run and customers to serve. He spoke as if he were
an important man.
Rebekah stepped through the door
into a small courtyard and into a new life. She prayed silently that it would
get no worse.
Read the synopsis of this book.
Purchase Rebekah Redeemed by Dianne G. Sagan:
| 
){kind=link}