by Lynn Austin
Epilogue
JERUSHA SAT IN THE FLOWER-DRAPED chair in Hilkiah's garden with a carpet of flower petals beneath her feet. She heard the joyful music of the groom's procession and recognized the song-the same one she'd sung on the morning of her cousin's wedding so long ago. Maacah stood beside her, and as the sound of the music drew closer, she bent to hug Jerusha tightly.
"You look so beautiful! I wish Mama and Abba could see you. They'd be so proud and so happy that you're marrying Eliakim."
Suddenly the music stopped. Eliakim stood in the doorway of the courtyard. His curly black hair was tousled as usual, but he looked like a prince in his wedding robes. When he saw Jerusha, a boyish smile lit up his handsome face, and she wanted to run into his arms. Beside him, General Jonadab wore the uniform of the King's Royal Army. Dozens of Hilkiah's relatives and guests crowded into the courtyard behind them.
Eliakim's eyes never left hers as he took her hand and squeezed it gently. Jerusha rose to her feet to stand beside him, silently thanking God for all He had done for her-for the miracle of her restored life. For forgiveness. And for the greatest miracle of all: Eliakim's love.
She saw tears of joy in Hilkiah's eyes as he took Jerimoth's place, as father of the bride. How Jerusha loved the dear little merchant! Hilkiah laid his hand on her head as Abba once had, and she remembered her father's words: "Someday God will turn these tears into joy-,,
Hilkiah's hand rested on her head for the blessing, but as he spoke the words, Jerusha heard Abba's voice: "May Yahweh bless you and keep you. May Yahweh cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May He make you as Sarah and Rebecca. May He favor you and grant you His peace. Amen."
Behold the tunnel. Now this is the story of the tunnel; while the workmen were still lifting up the pick, each towards his neighbor and while there was yet three cubits to excavate, a voice was heard of a man calling his fellow, since there was a split in the rock on the right hand and on the left. And on the day of the excavation the workmen struck, each towards his neighbor, pick against pick, and the water flowed from the spring to the pool for twelve hundred cubits, and a hundred cubits was the height of the rock above the heads of the workmen.
OLDEST HEBREW INSCRIPTION EVER DISCOVERED, CARVED IN THE SILOAM TUNNEL, JERUSALEM, 8TH CENTURY BC.
CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS-Book 3
The Strength of His Hand
The Strength of His Hand tells of King Hezekiah's later reign and the climax of events surrounding the Assyrian invasion. God has brought him great wealth and power; but after many years, Hezekiah still has no heir. His wife, in desperation, makes another vow to Asherah, the fertility goddess, betraying all that Hezekiah believes in and works for.
As his international stature increases, Hezekiah is tempted to side with Egypt and Babylon in a military alliance against Assyria-an alliance that the prophet Isaiah warns him not to join. As the Assyrians march westward with a lust for vengeance and conquest, Hezekiah will discover whether or not his faith in God will sustain him against an overwhelming enemy.