Rebekah Redeemed

by Dianne G. Sagan

  “Bring her closer, Sarah. I want to see just who my husband has brought into our home.”

  Sarah gave Rebekah a push, bowed and left.

  “Come. I won’t hurt you. I want to see you.”

  Rebekah walked toward the woman remembering how quickly Mara could be angry and slap her if she were in a bad temper. She remained silent.

  Tirsah waved her to come even closer. “What is your name?”

  “Rebekah.”

  “Uncover your head.”

  She lifted the shawl from her head and let it fall on her shoulders. Tirsah dropped the goblet in her hand and gasped. “Who are you?” she demanded.

  “Rebekah, your servant.” She bowed down and kept her gaze on the floor.

  “Where do you come from?”

  “Benjamin ben Joseph’s household.”

  “No, I mean who are your parents?”

  “Eleazar and Miriam.”

  “It cannot be,” Tirsah struck a bell and Sarah rushed back into the room.

  Rebekah pulled back and readied herself for whatever attack was coming. She glanced at Sarah and dropped her eyes once again.

  “Take her to the cook. Keep her in the back kitchen and do not let her out where anyone can see her. Now! Go!”

  They scurried from the room. Sarah closed the doors behind them. “What did you do? What did you say? I have never seen my mistress so pale or upset.”

  “I do not know. I answered her questions,” said Rebekah.

  “There is plenty of work in parts of the house that our mistress rarely goes. You can work there until she or my master ask for you.”

  Rebekah did not have any expectation that Jacob and Tirsah would treat her any differently than Benjamin and Mara. She had hoped that they might accept her, but now she only hoped for kindness.

  Sarah took her to where three young girls worked preparing platters of dates, nuts, fruit, dove breasts, and bread and cheese. The youngest one looked up and smiled.

  Sarah said, “Rebekah, this is my daughter Deborah. You will learn from her what your duties are.”

  Deborah said “Shalom, Rebekah.”

  “Shalom.”

  “These are Anna and Eunice.”

  “Shalom,” the women said.

  Rebekah and Deborah were about the same age. “I’ll show you the house and what to do tomorrow. For now you can help us.”

  Rebekah nodded.

  Deborah said, “I heard that the mistress was upset when you saw her.” She looked around and whispered close to Rebekah’s ear. “When the master comes home she is having a special supper for him on the roof. I will be serving them.”

  Rebekah helped the other women finish up their work. Anna disappeared, and when she returned she said, “This must be a special night. Our mistress rubbed herself with myrrh and changed into a beautiful layered tunic of fine cream linen and blue with gold embroidered trim. She is wearing the master’s favorite lapis and gold necklace, bracelets and gold earrings.”

  Eunice laughed. “Anna you always tell us what is happening in the house. We might never know if it were not for you.”

  “Our mistress has decided to set a special meal for just the two of them on the upper terrace where it will be cool and they can be alone,” said Anna.

  The women scurried to move the meal from the roof to the upper terrace. Rebekah stayed behind. When Anna, Eunice, and Deborah returned, Deborah grabbed Rebekah and pulled her close. Rebekah flinched.

  “I heard our mistress mention your name when she and the master seated themselves. Come with me. Do you want to know what they are saying?”

  “No, I do not want to get beaten for listening,” said Rebekah.

  “I have a perfect place to hide you. No one will find you, but you can see and hear everything. I’ve hidden there myself,” said Deborah.

  Deborah pulled her along and stashed her in the hiding place. Rebekah trembled at the thought of being discovered but focused on her aunt and uncle through a narrow opening.

  Chapter 10

  From her hiding place, Rebekah watched Deborah and Anna serve her mistress and master.

  “My dear husband, you have worked all the day and you are tired.” She offered him a goblet of wine and water.

  “You look very beautiful,” Jacob said, smiling at his wife. “Is this just for me or are we entertaining someone important?”

  “No, no, my love. This is for you, my husband. Only for you.”

  They relaxed into the pillows, and the servants played quiet music from the courtyard below. After a leisurely meal and several glasses of wine, Jacob asked, “Did Dathan return with the new servant I purchased from Mara? We don’t need another house servant, but she is my sister-in-law. I wanted to help her, but how my brother could be married to such a…”

  “Oh, my dear, do not upset yourself with the past. Have another goblet of wine.”

  Jacob rubbed his hand across his forehead as if to rub the thought away, then smiled at his wife. “You’re right.” He yawned and then emptied the wine into his mouth. “I’m tired. We will talk of this tomorrow.” He rose and they walked arm in arm to Tirsah’s chambers.

  When all grew quiet, Deborah came for Rebekah. She conspiratorially whispered, “Don’t let mama know we listened. I get in trouble all the time, but I always know what’s going on in the house before anyone else except Anna.”

  Rebekah didn’t know what to say, but she realized that Tirsah would get rid of her before she would let Jacob know that the new servant was actually their niece. I must be worthless, or why would my family shun me this way? I don’t understand.

  After a restless night, Rebekah joined the others in cooking and cleaning. However, she didn’t have to go to the well with the younger girls. Deborah giggled and looked over her shoulder to see if her mother might over hear her. “I saw Mary and the stable boy together last night.”

  “What were they doing?” Anna asked.

  “Rolling around.”

  “Not again.” Eunice laughed.

  “They think nobody knows about them.” Deborah loved being the first to pass on information.

  Rebekah tried to ignore Deborah and the others gossiping.

  Deborah said, “Rebekah, wait until the young master Philip comes from the country estate. He’s so handsome.”

  “You’d better quit daydreaming about him,” advised Eunice. “You’re only a servant, and he will be our master someday.”

  “I can dream,” answered Deborah. “Maybe I won’t always be a servant. What about the story of Ruth and Boaz in the Torah? She wasn’t much more than a servant and a foreigner besides, but she became a great lady.”

  The girls heard Sarah approach. “Are you gossiping again? Deborah, stop distracting them from their work.”

  “Yes, mother.”

  “Go sweep the terrace and the roof. Then, take Rebekah to the market with you. You can teach her how to haggle with the merchants. Now go.”

  Deborah took Rebekah everywhere with her. Rebekah had never had a friend her own age before. She enjoyed her bubbly companion, but she didn’t know what to say when Deborah gossiped about everything she saw and heard. She listened but feared actually joining in that kind of talk.

  A few weeks after Rebekah settled into the household and her responsibilities, she relaxed a little. No one beat her here. No one yelled at her unless she did something really wrong, but they kept her out of sight most of the time. It was easy to keep her away from her uncle Jacob because he spent much of his time away, and when he was home the house was large enough to prevent him from noticing her. However, she knew that Tirsah felt strained at having her in the household. It was plain that she didn’t want Jacob to be upset. She also didn’t want Rebekah to take her place as a family member. She’d learned all about her mistress’ feelings through Deborah and their hiding places.

  One afternoon while Deborah and Rebekah swept and arranged the roof terrace they heard a commotion in the garden below. The girls peered over
the ledge but remained half hidden.

  “Rebekah, it’s him.” Deborah grabbed Rebekah’s arm.

  “Who?”

  “Philip, the young master.” She sighed and looked dreamy. “See how handsome he is?”

  Rebekah looked. She thought, He’s handsome, but he looks angry. I don’t think I would trust him, he might be cruel.

  “Mother, where are you?”

  Tirsah emerged and threw her arms around her son. “I’m here. my dear. You seem upset. What is it?”

  “I’ve been pushed beyond what I can bare. I stay at the villa in Bethany, but I never have enough servants to take care of my needs and still work the land. Father doesn’t think I’m a good manager. He only becomes angry with me when I tell him of my needs.”

  “Come sit by me and tell me your troubles.” She sat on a bench and patted the place next to her.

  “I want to have a celebration for my birthday and invite all my friends. Besides, Marcus is being promoted, so we can celebrate both events at the same time. Could you spare me some of your house servants, mother?” asked Philip. “I could send them back afterward.”

  “I could spare three and one you could keep. She’s new, and I don’t need her. She could be a good addition to the villa.”

  “Oh, mother, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He kissed her cheek and jumped to his feet like an excited child full of plans. “Marcus has returned with the Legion and I want him to feel welcome, but my finances are strained.” He paused.

  Tirsah looked into his face but didn’t comment.

  “Father thinks I’m wasteful and spoiled. He wants me to take more responsibility and begin working more in the business, but I care little for it. I want to enjoy my friends while I’m young. There will be plenty of time for business when I’m older.” Philip’s eyes narrowed. “Besides, it is important for our future to be friendly with the Romans. They can make life easier or they can make it difficult. Marcus is rising. He is a Centurion now and will be a Tribune. His uncle is well connected with the new governor, Pontius Pilate. It is important for me to ally myself with those in power so that when father is gone, well…”

  Tirsah once again extended her arms to her son. He sank by her feet with his head in her lap and she stroked his hair. “I’ll take care of you. Take the servants with you and whatever you wish.” A shy smile crossed Philip’s lips.

  Deborah whispered in Rebekah’s ear, “He always gets his way with his mother. It’s always a fight when he talks with his father.”

  Philip and Tirsah rose together and walked across the courtyard arm in arm. She ordered Dathan to give Philip anything he asked for, and then she summoned Rebekah and two other servants.

  Deborah and Rebekah scurried down the stairs and tried not to give away their previous hiding place or that they had been listening.

  “You are going to our country home in Bethany with my son. In a week you will return, after Philip is finished with you. Oh, except for you Rebekah, you will stay there.”

  Rebekah bowed slightly and murmured, “Yes mistress.”

  Philip and a manservant rode in a covered cart with comfortable cushions to lounge upon. The servants walked behind them and led two carts filled with fresh produce, wine, bolts of fabric, two new lounges and assorted goblets, platters and utensils Tirsah sent along for the great banquet and celebration. She stood waving at the gate as the entourage wended its way down the stone street between the walls of her neighbor’s lavish homes.

  Chapter 11

  Philip talked about his Roman friends and how he longed to cement his relationship with them. He seemed to crave this way of life over his own heritage. He spoke of nothing else as they traveled the road from Jerusalem.

  Not far from Bethany, the entourage arrived at the country villa. Rebekah felt alone and depressed. Even though Deborah got into trouble for listening in on everyone and loved to gossip, she had become a friend. It seemed like Rebekah’s life consisted of never feeling secure or loved, always unwanted and passed off to someone else, always ripped from any relationship that gave her comfort. She still missed seeing Mary and Martha daily at the well. They had been the only people who really cared about her since she lost her father.

  Fields of barley and wheat surrounded the main house. A small olive orchard banked in a hillside behind the stables. Extensive rows of grapevines basked in the sun. A pair of heavy, carved gates faced the road. Rebekah noticed a well near her new master’s house. At least she wouldn’t have to walk so far for water.

  Philip and his manservant left orders with a man named Aaron who seemed to be in charge of the household. He directed Rebekah, Eunice, and Anna to follow a woman he called Prisca into the house. Prisca had a sinewy look to her and had deep lines in her face.

  “Put them to work preparing for the master’s birthday celebration. You’ll only have Eunice and Anna for a few days, but Rebekah stays with us,” said Aaron.

  Prisca nodded her acknowledgment and waved the girls through a doorway. Rebekah caught glimpses of the household as she followed Prisca. This villa was not like anything Rebekah had seen before. It didn’t reflect much of the traditional Judean homes or Jacob’s lavish home in Jerusalem. They emerged into an open air atrium with a rectangular pond, lush plants and benches scattered among the cool green. She walked on intricately tiled floors. Murals depicting heroic soldiers and hunters killing beasts decorated the walls surrounding the atrium. Numerous doorways opened onto a balcony that encircled the atrium. A stairway led up to the second floor rooms at each end of the atrium.

  They walked through a passage that went under the second floor with rooms on either side. After continuing through a smaller open garden filled with greenery, flowers and a small fountain, they came to the kitchen and servants’ part of the villa. This part of the house remained plain and utilitarian.

  Rebekah soon learned that Philip liked surrounding himself with friends and that they spent their time hunting, drinking, and entertaining women at their Roman banquets. He stayed up late every night and awoke in a foul mood and sick from drink. He barely acknowledged his servants and resented any messages from his father, Jacob, to summon him to Jerusalem. He seemed to hate everything about his heritage and his own people. He considered everything and everyone at his disposal, to be used for his own selfish purposes. However, it was different when his Roman friends came to call.

  The morning after Rebekah arrived at her new home Philip went hunting with his friends, leaving Aaron and Prisca to manage the household and get things prepared for the next banquet.

  Prisca said, “Eunice and Anna, you will work in the garden and kitchen. We have two weeks, but the master will celebrate for two days with his visitors.” She spit on the ground. “His Roman friends have no respect for anything or anyone.”

  “Shhh, Prisca.” Aaron looked around. “You don’t want someone to overhear you.”

  Prisca shrugged.

  “There are far worse things than serving Philip. You could end up at the slave market in Jerusalem… or worse.”

  “Rebekah, since you are staying you will be a house servant. Do you know what to do?”

  “I cooked, fetched water, and did anything else my mistress wanted when I lived with my… I mean, when I lived in Bethany. I served a merchant and his wife.”

  “Humph.”

  “I can bake and I can help with the animals.” Rebekah tried to say something that might please Prisca.

  “You can help with the celebration,” Prisca said brusquely, “but after it’s over you will have regular household duties. I’ll show you later.”

  Pomegranate bushes, apple trees and date palms grew in a garden outside the main house wall. She learned to work in the herb garden and to tend the cucumbers and other vegetables. After her work was done, Aaron allowed her to wander the stables petting the animals and talking to the goats. It seemed as though the animals were her only real friends no matter where she found herself.

  Chapter 12
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br />   The next two weeks passed quickly while Rebekah learned her duties and settled into a new routine. She liked Prisca and Aaron but was careful not to share her thoughts with anyone. She watched and learned from those around her and tried to stay obscure when Philip raged through the house in a temper. He reminded her of small children she’d seen playing in the streets when they didn’t get their way.

  A few days before the celebration, Aaron found Prisca and Rebekah in the herb garden. He looked around to be sure they were alone. “The master wants to make his birthday party a celebration of Marcus and his rising power. He charged me again to be sure everything would be Roman-style and to have many of the most beautiful painted women for Marcus and his men.”

  Prisca looked at Rebekah. “We need to keep you away from the celebration when it goes into the wee hours.”

  “The Roman soldiers don’t care who they take,” said Aaron. “They have their way with you and then cast you aside to look for another woman.”

  Rebekah felt sick to her stomach. She remembered being touched and used by Benjamin’s friend many years before and found the thought revolting. She looked down and kept cultivating the herbs.

  A young boy ran into the garden, interrupting the conversation. “Aaron, the wagons are here.”

  Aaron and the two women went to see. Carts arrived full of fresh produce from the market and lots of fish carried straight from the coast. Servants came in from the hunt carrying a buck antelope, assorted smaller wild beasts, wild fowl, and a goat she heard one of them say was slain accidentally after too much wine passed among the hunters. Prisca put Rebekah to work baking bread for the rest of the day.

  As they worked together Prisca instructed her, “You must be careful to keep your gaze downward and stay away from the tables as much as you can. Serve the platters and let the other girls tend the tables,” she instructed.

  “I must be of service when I am called.”

  “Yes, but you’re a beautiful girl. The Roman soldiers treat our women like nothing more important than meat on a platter. You are theirs to satisfy their hunger.”