Rebekah Redeemed

by Dianne G. Sagan

  Hannah prepared honey, toasted barley and bread for Benjamin. He wanted to eat before he opened the shop. Mara always slept until mid-morning and threw anything she could reach at anyone who entered her room and bothered her before she rose. Rebekah learned how to light a small fire in Mara’s room during cold weather without waking her. It had taken many bruises and mastering the art of running while ducking, but she had learned.

  When the bread was finished, the young girl made another trip to the well with Hannah. On her return she cleaned out the stable and went to gather wood and dried dung for the fire. She loved wandering the hills around Bethany gathering wood. It was the one time she could get away from those who worked her or ignored her. She remembered her father telling stories about the suffering of the people and the Lord Jehovah’s deliverance for those who love Him. Her mother had taught her to pray as a tiny child, and she prayed as she walked across the open field behind the village. She remembered the morning and evening prayers that her and father had said. Sometimes she heard Benjamin say them. “Hear Oh Israel. The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

  Once she wandered as far as the top of the hill and could look down on the beautiful City of David. She knew the stories of Judea when King David had ruled and about his son Solomon. She could see the Temple and wondered what it would be like to be free and to be able to go into that great city. Unfortunately, she lost track of time as she wandered gathering wood and gazing at the walled city. She watched people going in and out of the East Gate.

  On her return, Hannah scolded her. “Where have you been?”

  “Gathering fuel for the fire,” she answered innocently.

  “You were gone too long. The mistress has been looking for you. She is in a mood. I tried to keep you out of trouble and got nothing but the switch for it.” Hannah rubbed her shoulder and shook her head.

  “I only…”

  “You must stop dreaming, child. It will do you no good. I used to dream when I was young and look at me. This is what your future is, unless the mistress becomes angry enough to sell you. Do not give her a reason. There are worse places than here,” she warned.

  Rebekah finished stacking the wood and dung outside the back door of the kitchen next to the stable and washed her hands and feet. Mara would not allow dirty hands and feet in her house.

  “Take this to the mistress.”

  Rebekah took the pitcher of wine and water, tucking two glass goblets under her arms. She had learned how to hold two in the crook of her elbows and carry the wine pitcher with both hands. Once she had dropped the glass goblets. Mara had beaten her and threatened to sell her. Benjamin had calmed his wife and convinced her not to sell the girl; after all, they obtained her without exchanging a single sheckle for her.

  “Where were you?” Mara demanded. “You have work to do for this household.”

  Rebekah put the wine and goblets down on the table and poured the drink.

  “Well?”

  “Gathering wood for the fire, mistress,” she said quietly with downcast eyes.

  Mara glanced at her friend who lounged next to her. Eyes narrowed as she looked back at the child, she sat up and struck her across the face. Rebekah fell sprawled out on the floor. “Get out!”

  Rebekah picked herself up off the floor, bowed and ran back to the kitchen. Silent tears ran down her cheeks.

  “Do not dawdle in the fields. I tried to warn you.” Hannah shook her head and continued preparations for the late evening meal. “Go for some more water. Mistress bathed while you were gone and I have no water left. You need to go twice, and hurry. The master’s brother Jacob is coming from Jerusalem.”

  Rebekah ran from the house with her water jar and hurried to the well. From Jerusalem? I have another uncle from Jerusalem? I hope mistress lets me wait on the table. I’ve never seen anyone who lives there before.

  Chapter 5

  The banquet for four began with the late afternoon meal and continued into the evening. Mara wanted to impress Jacob and his wife. After all, his caravans fed their small business, and she wanted to be wealthy and move from this tiny home into Jerusalem. Something more suited for a wealthy household. Benjamin did not share her aspirations for great wealth. He was the younger son, so the family inheritance had gone to Jacob. Mara drove her husband like a stubborn donkey to push him ever harder. Mara courted the couple like a young man courts his bride to be, but her plans were rooted in jealousy, greed and a drive for more power through her husband.

  Mara fawned over Jacob and Tirsah. They were both lavishly dressed in blue and green layered tunics. Tirsah wore elaborate jewelry and rings on all her fingers, jeweled sandals and rings on her toes. Rebekah washed their feet even though they had come from Jerusalem riding in covered chairs carried by four strong slaves each. Benjamin bowed and groveled, complimented and gushed over his older brother, Jacob.

  The feast included savory roasted antelope with onions, platters of lettuce, sliced cucumbers, fresh beans, herbed humus made from chickpeas, fresh bread, and olive oil, two kinds of the best wine mixed with water. Mara made sure to include a Galilean fish stew. Other platters were loaded with soft goat cheese, spiced yogurt, pomegranates, figs and both green and red grapes. Her mother and sister had assisted Mara so she could make the best of impressions in her ploy to charm Tirsah and, through her, Jacob. Then she could push and negotiate over the wine into the night for a better place for her husband in this partnership.

  Earlier in the day Rebekah and Hannah couldn’t help but overhear Benjamin’s reaction to how much she had spent on this lavish dinner. Rebekah peeked around the door jam and saw her uncle’s face turn red and the veins on his neck bulge out. “How can we afford two months earnings for one dinner? You will drive us into the streets if you spend my money like this! And these lavish new clothes?”

  Mara burst into tears. Wailing, she sank to the floor and rocked herself. “You would have me suffer through this terrible life in Bethany when we should be living well in Jerusalem. We should have a house like your brother. You promised to take care of me. All I want is to see you successful.” She folded over in a heap at his feet crying loud enough to be heard from the street.

  Benjamin sighed with exasperation and sank down next to his devastated wife. She shyly glanced through her fingers as he tried to lift her up and then cried louder. “I know you do this for me. I am concerned over spending so much at once.”

  “You do not even care if Jacob and Tirsah think we are poor villagers. You do not care how it makes me look and reflects on you,” she whined.

  “It is alright, beloved,” he crooned in her ear and rocked her in his arms.

  Over his shoulder Mara’s mouth widened into a vixen’s smile. She pulled back and pretended to wipe her eyes. “We must get dressed before they arrive.”

  The conversation ended. Rebekah knew from experience that Mara had won. Mara had made it clear for weeks that she wanted to beguile Jacob into taking Benjamin on his next caravan to Damascus or Caesarea.

  With Jacob getting older, Mara had badgered Benjamin about stepping into a more prominent place in the merchant business. She constantly nagged at him about moving into Jerusalem.

  While Rebekah and Hannah put the last touches on the banquet table, they could hear Mara. “You know that Jacob’s only son is spoiled and is repulsed by any kind of work. I’ve heard that he prefers the Roman ways.”

  “But he is Jacob’s first born and will receive his blessing,” Benjamin said.

  “Listen to me, you fool. I know that Philip lives in the country house near here. I’ve heard that he considers it close enough to Jerusalem to enjoy its bounty but far enough away to feel like a nobleman.”

  “How do you know these things?”

  “I have my ways,” said Mara. “Trust me, my dear husband. Your brother, Jacob, needs your help since he cannot depend on his whelp.”

  From the shadows, Rebekah watched Mara play on the opportunity to promote her husband’s standing and her own p
ower as if it were palace intrigue. By the end of the evening, Mara had triumphed.

  Jacob and Benjamin spoke together alone until late into the evening. Their voices quietly droned on and on. Tirsah and Mara retired for the night and dismissed Rebekah. She and Hannah went to bed exhausted.

  As she fell asleep, Rebekah thought about the elegance of her uncle Jacob and aunt Tirsah. Jacob’s smile reminded her of her mother. She keenly felt the emptiness like a hole in her chest. She still missed her mother and father but pushed such thoughts out of her mind during her busy days. Only at night did the memories come flooding back, leaving her with faint tastes and scents of things she would never know again.

  The next morning, Jacob and Tirsah left for home before Mara woke up. Mara arose at mid-day. She said, “Rebekah, tell Jonathan that I must see Benjamin now.”

  Rebekah hurried to the shop door and got Jonathan’s attention. He was the man whom she had first seen shaping pots and jars on the day she arrived. “The mistress wants the master. She said now. Please tell him.”

  Rebekah returned to her work across the court yard.

  Benjamin responded to his wife’s request and hurried to her where she lounged in the shade under one of the porticos.

  “Well? Tell me... hurry up!” demanded Mara.

  “Jacob has decided to increase my share and give me more responsibility. I am to go with the caravan to Caesarea in two weeks,” said Benjamin.

  “Is that all?” asked Mara.

  “He wants to have me more involved in daily business in Jerusalem.”

  Mara clapped her hands. “And you doubted me? Every sheckle was worth it. I knew I could advance our fortune. If it weren’t for me, you would be... you would be stuck here in this miserable camel stop you call a business and I would be forced to live out my life in this mud cave instead of a real home with real servants more befitting my station.”

  Benjamin went back to work when Mara waved him off. Mara paced the courtyard and rubbed her hands together. “Now, I can live in Jerusalem and be where I truly belong, where I was always meant to be,” she said out loud to herself. Then she threw head back and laughed.

  Mara went to visit her family for a few days. “I must share our good fortune with them,” she said as she left.

  That night Benjamin and some of his friends celebrated his good fortune. He could enjoy the men more without his wife nearby to hear their every word and interfere. It wasn’t a woman’s place to get involved in men’s conversations. In Mara’s absence, Benjamin could portray himself as strong and master of his home.

  His friend Judas arrived first. They slapped each other’s shoulders and Judas said, “I have a surprise for you, one that will bring a twinkle to your eyes.”

  “Yes? And what is it?”

  “I’ve invited the women of pleasure to join us in honor of your prosperity and promising future.” The men laughed.

  Two other friends arrived shortly after Judas.

  Hannah and Rebekah served platters of food and wine. The men drank more than they ate. Finally the women arrived and fawned over Benjamin and his friends.

  As the evening wore on and the hour grew late, Judas said, “Jacob, must we be offended by this old crow? Send her away.”

  Jacob commanded, “Hannah, Rebekah, go!”

  As Rebekah walked past Judas, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into his lap. He reeked of wine. “Not you, my little flower.”

  Rebekah looked to Hannah. She could do nothing to help her. Then she looked to her uncle, Benjamin who was completely taken in by one of the painted women.

  “Come now, be good to me and I’ll tell your master to take better care of you.” Judas laughed.

  Rebekah tried to slide out of his grip, but Judas forced her to sit on his lap. He seemed to delight in her squirming to get away.

  “I know how to treat little girls, young one.” Judas fondled her and pulled her tunic off of one shoulder.

  Rebekah pushed at the man to get away, but he held her even tighter. Then he slipped one hand up her leg. The young girl froze.

  Finally, when Judas had finished with her, he pushed her to the floor and kicked her. “Away from me. I need a real woman.” He reached for one of the prostitutes and laughed loudly.

  Rebekah crawled into the shadows and away to the kitchen where Hannah cared for her.

  “Oh, child, I’m sorry I could not stop this evil.”

  Rebekah slept for most of the next two days.

  Benjamin seemed to be oblivious to what had happened to her and labored to sell off as much as he could in the shop, and then he packed up the rest to take to Jacob. A week later, before Mara rose for the day, Benjamin set off for Jerusalem. Rebekah and Hannah knew that the master would be gone for some time and they would be at the mercy of Mara’s moods and whims.

  Mara sent a messenger to her sister. The following day Joanna arrived with a servant and enough baggage to stay for weeks.

  Hannah mumbled as she prepared the evening meal. “Another one to work us to death. Humph.”

  Rebekah silently went about her tasks and tried to please her mistress and her sister. She knew all too well the consequences and the sting of the switch if she made a mistake.

  As the sisters lounged about, Rebekah heard her mistress bragging of her accomplishment in advancing her place in society and her plans for spending her newly acquired wealth.

  “I’ve worked on this plan for months. Benjamin would have never made the move or pushed Jacob into accepting him as a more important part of his own family’s merchant business,” said Mara.

  “You have always deserved more than this,” said Joanna. She gestured airily with her hand, indicating Mara’s home.

  The sisters shared a sinister laugh.

  Mara snapped at Rebekah. “Get rid of this. The figs are dry.”

  The young girl responded immediately, dropping her other chores. Mara backhanded her when she bent for the wooden bowl. A red welt rose on Rebekah’s cheek.

  “Those figs are only fit for swine,” said Mara.

  Mara’s attitude and voice changed instantly as she spoke again to Joanna. “Now, finally, we can live in Jerusalem.”

  “When?” asked Joanna.

  “As soon as Benjamin returns with the caravan from Caesarea. I am paying a visit to Tirsah in a few days. She will help me find a household fitting a merchant of standing.”

  “It will be so wonderful, my dear sister.”

  Rebekah was glad when her mistress went to Jerusalem with her sister for a few days. It gave her a break from constant threats and abuse. Mara was relentless in her treatment and distain for her. She didn’t treat Hannah much better.

  On Mara and Joanna’s return from Jerusalem they sat up far into the night planning and scheming. Rebekah fell asleep hidden in the courtyard shadows listening to the sisters.

  “It is perfect. Tirsah said the family won’t be returning. It has been deserted for months and the family disappeared,” said Mara.

  “They say the Roman’s dragged them out and put them in prison at the Citadel,” said Joanna.

  “No one returns from there.”

  The two women grew quiet for a moment. Joanna took a drink of wine.

  “Benjamin will speak with the elders at the gate and negotiate the change of property. Then I’ll have what I’ve always wanted. Almost,” said Mara.

  Chapter 6

  Rebekah and Hannah managed to stay out of reach of Mara’s switch and fierce temper while Benjamin was gone. Mara’s moods swung from elated with the prospects of the future to despising her home and her inadequate servants. Her temper tantrums raged. Her crying fits cut the air.

  “I will not live in this squalor any longer. I cannot wait until Benjamin returns. I am going to visit my mother and sister,” announced Mara one morning to Joanna.

  She sent Jonathan with a message to her mother.

  Rebekah packed her mistress’ things as commanded and loaded them on the donkey. Mara and Joanna rode
in chairs, each carried by four strong young servants from her family’s home. Rebekah followed behind them in the dust leading the donkey. She walked the three miles, unpacked her mistress’ belongings supervised by a house servant and then was dismissed without a bite to eat or a drink of water.

  Walking back home, she wandered into the Kidron Valley toward the Jerusalem wall avoiding the road. Many people with loaded carts, women carrying bundles on their heads, burdened donkeys, and rows of Roman soldiers filled the roadway and flowed into the city.

  Rebekah picked her way through the rocks and trees to a spring. She sat down and dipped her hands into the cool running water and drank deeply. The girl rarely had time to herself, so she took advantage of the opportunity. She watched the ebb and flow of people passing through the city gate. Lying down in the cool shade she fell asleep and dreamt of her father and the warmth of family, which had become only the faintest wisp of a memory. She tried not to think about her early childhood.

  Now hard work filled her days from sunup to sundown, sometimes even longer. She slept with the goats and the donkey in the tiny stable. In the summer heat she had to sleep in the small open area by the kitchen door. Benjamin and Mara slept on the roof when the weather in Judea scorched the land by day and the only relief came at night from slight breezes felt only on the roof tops.

  Rebekah awoke by the spring as twilight began to settle in the valley. She shivered. She had stayed too long. Hannah had told her terrible stories about what happens to people who are caught out on the roads after dark. The child hurried to climb out of the valley and up toward the Mount of Olives. She saw a group of men following someone up into the old olive trees that covered the hillside. Not knowing who they were, she skirted them in a large circle and continued on her way in the other direction. The night deepened, and she looked back through the trees at the city. Would she be able to go there when her uncle returned and Mara realized her plan to move into Jerusalem? She had overheard them arguing over the move. Mara had threatened to leave Hannah and Rebekah to starve.