The Sons of Isaac Page 6

  At the last moment, just as Eleazar was ready to mount and give the word for the caravan to move out along the path, Isaac motioned for him to wait. From his leather girdle he took a small box of intricate design. “When you find the maiden it would please me for you to give her these. They were my mother’s most prized possessions.”

  He opened the box and showed Eleazar the earrings of pure beaten gold and two bracelets of ten shekels weight. “You will have other jewels to give her and other more costly ornaments, but this is more precious because it is all that I have of real value from my mother.”

  Isaac was confused and unsure of his true feelings. He simply knew that this would have pleased his mother and he determined, for her sake, to go along with the plans peacefully.

  Abraham wept in the darkness of the predawn mist and was comforted. He knew by the gift that Isaac too was beginning to trust the dream. Perhaps, in time, he would also stop yearning for the princess of Gerar.

  They stood together and watched as the camels moved out and away onto the road that led up the valley to Beersheba.

  * * *

  As Eleazar traveled, he thought about the young woman he was to choose. What sort of woman must she be, and how would he recognize her? At first he thought that surely he must choose the most beautiful maiden. She would be competing for Isaac’s heart with the princess of Gerar. He pictured himself looking over any women who might be in Nahor’s family and then choosing the most attractive one.

  However as he rode along he found his whole concept changing. Physical beauty did not last. He had seen young girls who were astonishingly beautiful who soon after the marriage became frumpish and coarse. Then again he had seen women who were quite plain blossom into women of real beauty.

  How could one possibly tell what a woman would become? How would Elohim judge the right woman for Abraham’s son? He thought of Isaac’s attraction to Anatah’s beauty. He knew nothing about her disposition or character. It was obvious that this was not the way to choose a partner for life.

  He pondered over the various traits that were important. She should be honest and kind; one almost took these for granted. Beyond that, he began to see that if a woman was always complaining and unhappy, a husband would soon tire of her, and if she was selfish, it would color all her relationships.

  His final conclusion was that a generous, happy woman would make the best choice. One would not tire of her and he had noted that generous people were usually happy. Sorting out the women of Haran might be very difficult. He would have to take it one step at a time and depend on Elohim to guide him.

  * * *

  The caravan traveled at night when it was cooler, and finally arrived in sight of the town of Haran just at daybreak. Eleazar knew the women of the village would soon be going to the well to draw water, and so he found the well and camped there. He could observe them and perhaps get some clue as to what sort of women he would find in Haran. Surely the women who came for water at this hour would not be the lazy, unpleasant ones.

  He stopped near the well and directed his camels with their drivers to rest in the shade of a large almond tree. It was the time of year that the tart, green outer shell of the almond was especially good, and since the tree was out in the open and unprotected, they felt sure it was public property. Eleazar plucked a handful of green almonds and then sat on the low stone wall beside the well.

  He could see that the water was reached by six stone steps that were uneven and worn from constant use. The morning sun cast a warm glow on the smooth stones of the wall and glinted from the leaves of the caper plants that grew out of the cracks. Off to one side was a stone trough, and Eleazar surmised that this well was also used for watering the flocks.

  Looking up the road toward the village, he could see one lone figure hurrying along with the jar on her shoulder tipped at a jaunty angle, signifying she was a maiden, unmarried. Behind her, just leaving the gate, were other young women and children, and then a few older women with jars standing upright, which signified their married state. They were coming at a more leisurely pace.

  Eleazar felt his pulse quicken. How would he approach this first young woman? How would he find out what he needed to know? He stood up and prayed. “Oh Lord God of my master Abraham, here I stand by the well of water where the daughters of the men of this city are coming to draw water. Let it come to pass that the young maiden to whom I ask a drink of water will not only give me to drink but will say that she will give my camels to drink also.”

  Before he finished praying, the young maiden he had first noticed came to the steps of the well. He caught a glimpse of her face as she lifted the clay jar from her shoulder and was startled by her dark beauty. The wind had blown her mantle off and her hair bounced and curled about her flushed face. She stooped and lowered the jar into the water, then stood up holding it out from her while it dripped. He saw her more clearly now and realized what he had taken for great beauty was more simply the joy and animation that shone in her face. There was a healthy vitality about her, and he found himself hoping with all his being that she would measure up to his strange test.

  Quickly he approached her. “Would you mind giving me a drink from your water jar?”

  She turned around and seemed to notice him for the first time. She smiled and tossing back her hair mounted the steps until she stood beside him. “Drink, my lord,” she said as she lowered the jar on one hand and clasped the neck with the other. The water was fresh and cool and he drank from his cupped hands until he was satisfied.

  “I’ll draw water for your camels also,” she said as she turned and emptied the jar into the trough. Without another word, she hurried back to the well and drew water and filled the trough again and again until all the camels had finished drinking.

  Eleazar was astounded. He had asked that he be guided to the right woman by just such a test, and yet he could not believe what he was seeing. To give him water was easy, but to give water to his camels was something even the slaves balked at. Thirsty camels drank copiously. Joy flooded through him as he realized that only God could have brought about such a miracle. But stranger still, it was evident that God had also been at work here in Haran before he even arrived.

  He held his peace while he watched her watering the camels. Surely there can be no one more generous. When she had finished he could no longer restrain himself. “Whose daughter are you,” he asked, “and by chance is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”

  “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah and Nahor,” she said. Then looking up at him with her light brown eyes flecked with gold and long, curved lashes, she added, “We have both straw and provisions for your animals and plenty of room for you and your men.”

  At that Eleazar was almost overcome with wonder and amazement. “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham,” he said, bowing his head, “who has led me straight to the house of my master’s brethren.”

  He took from his belt the small olive wood box Isaac had given him and drew out the golden earrings and the two bracelets. As he put the bracelets on her arm, he said, “The young son of my master sent these for you.”

  Rebekah stood for a moment arranging the bracelets and fingering the gold earrings, too overcome with excitement to speak.

  Finally with a quick, bright smile, she said, “I have heard my father and grandfather speak often of my uncle Abraham. They will be so happy. I must run quickly and tell them of your arrival.” With that she set the heavy jar down in the sand and went running along the worn path back to the city.

  When she arrived home and flung open the door to the courtyard, she was immediately confronted by her brother Laban. “Where’s the water you were to have brought?” he asked angrily.

  “And where’s the jar?” her mother questioned. They had all been waiting impatiently for the water she had gone to fetch. It was usually the job of the new bride to bring water for the family, but Laban had objected, saying his bride was not used to such lo
wly tasks. Rebekah hadn’t objected since she loved to be outside and getting the water was one of her favorite errands.

  When she hesitated and didn’t answer right away, Laban grabbed her by the arm impatiently. “Where have you been? It should take only a short time to get water …” He stopped suddenly as he looked down at her wrist and saw the bracelets. Immediately his eyes narrowed into suspicious slits while his mouth twisted unpleasantly. “And where did these come from?” he demanded.

  By this time everyone in the family had gathered around, and they were all looking at the bracelets. “Where? How? Who?” they chorused.

  Rebekah pulled away from Laban and smiled as she fingered the new earrings. “The most wonderful thing has happened,” she said breathlessly.

  “You’ve no doubt been out acting the flirt. Spoiling your chances to marry Nazzim,” Laban shouted in frustration.

  “Don’t you see?” she said impatiently, “My prayer to the God of our uncle Abraham may have been answered.”

  A stunned silence greeted her announcement and then Laban spoke. His voice was low and controlled but his words shot out like poisoned arrows. “You can’t spoil our agreement with Nazzim. There’s gold and influence at stake. No simple trader can equal that.”

  Rebekah was unmoved by his hostile demeanor. “Go see for yourself,” she said. “His servant is still by the well with all his camels.”

  Laban cursed. “By the gods I’ll soon put an end to this,” he said, whirling around and hurrying out the gate.

  The minute he was gone the whole courtyard sprang to life. Deborah reached her first. “Oh my dear child,” she said. “How are you so sure this is an answer to our prayer?”

  Rebekah pulled back her mantle so her nurse could see the gold earrings more clearly and held out her arm for all of them to see the bracelets sparkling in the morning sunlight. “The servant said these were for me from the son of my uncle. I need no greater proof.”

  Her old nurse began to wipe the tears of joy from her eyes, but Nahor, sitting under the grape arbor, roused himself to say, “Laban has set great store by this marriage to Nazzim. He’ll not be easily turned aside.”

  Rebekah ran to him and held out her arm so he could see the bracelets. “Grandfather, I am not afraid. I prayed with Deborah and now see what has happened already.”

  Nahor reached out and touched the bracelets, and with his almost sightless eyes, he struggled to see the earrings. “Have no faith in the gods,” he said. “My brother Abraham trusted the unseen God and it brought nothing but heartache to our family. He has no family, no connections. How can he be anything but a poor shepherd?”

  Rebekah hugged her grandfather. “I know you don’t trust the gods,” she said, “but your brother trusted his God, and we will soon hear from his servant what has become of him.”

  “Don’t hope for too much, my dear,” he said. “You have your brother Laban to deal with. When he wants something he usually gets it, one way or another.”

  Laban had mixed emotions as he hurried toward the city gate. He doubted that the stranger, if sent by their uncle Abraham, intended anything but some sort of reconciliation. Abraham was probably in trouble of some kind and wanted to be reinstated as head of their family. Then the very idea that he had a son by Sarah was preposterous. Sarah had never had a child. What could all this mean?

  When he came to the gate he paused. By this time many of the women were returning from the well, and they were all abuzz with amazement at what they had seen.

  “A messenger from your uncle Abraham,” an old woman gasped breathlessly as she shuffled toward him. She was too old to be shy. She was the go-between in family quarrels and the matchmaker for any young daughter. At times she even condescended to tell fortunes. She carried no water jar, as she went to the well only for the gossip. It was obvious that on this day she felt she had plenty to tell.

  Laban was her first target. She clutched him by the sleeve. “Ten camels loaded with treasure,” she hissed just loud enough for those around to hear.

  Laban pulled away but she lunged after him and clutched his sleeve even more firmly. “You’ve not heard the strangest news.”

  Laban turned toward her, scowling but interested. “What do you know?” he urged.

  The old woman cupped her hand around her mouth and stretching up whispered, “Be careful. The man lies.”

  “What do you mean?” Laban could not resist hearing more.

  “He says your grandfather’s sister, Sarah, has had a son. We know that can’t be true. She’d be too old.”

  Laban was again puzzled. He hesitated while he juggled the information around the known facts. His face took on a crafty look. “You can be sure, old one, I’ll not be fooled,” he said finally. With that he turned and walked more slowly toward the well.

  His mind was spinning with all sorts of possibilities. Who could this stranger be? What did he want of them? He must remember what was at stake. He had seen the gold earrings and the bracelets, gifts fine enough for a bride. He must not let this sway him. Rebekah must marry Nazzim. He must not let her get her hopes up. At the same time he determined to treat the stranger with all the courtesy and hospitality their family was known for.

  By this time he could see the camels lying under the almond tree and he could just make out their elegant trappings. If this was indeed a messenger from his uncle, he must be bringing good news, for only a man of great wealth could possess such an extensive caravan. He pushed all his doubts and fears to one side and strode with great dignity the rest of the way.

  He noticed a tall, stately older man coming toward him. “You must be that young maid’s brother, Laban,” he said.

  “Indeed I am Laban the son of Bethuel who is the son of Milcah, which she bore to Nahor.” He had quickly assessed the importance of the man and his entourage. It was obvious he came with important credentials. Laban was impressed and anxious to extend the required hospitality. “We are waiting and ready,” he said. “We are honored to receive messengers from my uncle Abraham.”

  Laban led the way back to the house through throngs of villagers hastily assembled to see the newcomers, who were reported to bear news of their former neighbor, Abraham. He said no more as he was besieged on every side with questions, but when they reached the door to the courtyard, he waved the curious villagers back, opened the door, and motioned to Eleazar. “Come in, come in,” he said, “thou blessed of the God of my uncle Abraham. See, I have prepared the house and there is room for all your men and camels.”

  Laban quickly ordered his servants to help Eleazar’s men unload and feed the camels, then bed them down on the far side of the courtyard reserved for animals. He was pleased to see a fine feast being prepared under the sheltered area of the court. It was obvious that friends and neighbors had responded generously and in fact were still slipping extra bread and roast chickens through the servants’ door.

  Bethuel himself came forward with a pitcher of water and a servant to wash the feet of Eleazar, while Laban ordered the servants to wash the feet of the rest of the men.

  By the time the sun was high in the sky and all the niceties had been accomplished, the women had finished preparing the feast. They had placed the last stack of bread on the mat and had withdrawn when Laban came forward and urged the men to be seated. They all gathered around the food and were ready to eat when Eleazar, still standing, raised his hand and to everyone’s surprise addressed them. “I will not eat until I have delivered the message I was sent to bring from your relative Abraham.”

  Laban paused and turned toward him eagerly, while Rebekah and her nurse, with some of her other maidens, came to stand behind a shuttered window where they could hear all that was said in the courtyard.

  “I am Abraham’s servant,” Eleazar began. “I must tell you that the Lord has blessed my master greatly with flocks and herds, silver and gold, camels and asses as well as menservants and maidservants. He has become a very great and important man.

  “F
urthermore,” he continued, “Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old.” At this juncture there was a gasp of surprise and those listening interrupted with cries of joy and exclamations of amazement.

  When they were quieted at last, Eleazar continued, “It is to this son my master has given all that he has, and it is for this son a bride is to be found.” Again there were such expressions of surprise and excitement that for a time Eleazar could not continue. Even the women listening in the back rooms gazed at each other with bated breath and smiled with knowing nods.

  This time Laban, who had become very interested in the story, raised his hand and commanded everyone to be quiet and listen to what Eleazar had to say. When they became attentive Eleazar hurried on. “My master is determined that his son should not marry a Canaanite. For this reason he commissioned me to come here to the country of his own people and seek out a maiden. And so I have come at my master’s bidding.”

  “What made you think any young woman would leave her family and her people to travel so far with a stranger?” The questioner was old Nahor himself, who had stood with great difficulty and was leaning on Bethuel’s arm.

  “I asked that same question of my master,” said Eleazar.

  “Yes, yes, what did he say? What was his answer?” Laban leaned forward eagerly.

  “He said, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you, and will prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house.’”

  “But,” said Laban, thinking of his sister and their unofficial agreement with Nazzim, “if the maiden is already promised to another and cannot go?”

  “Ah then,” said Eleazar, “I am freed from my oath. However, since I have come I have been much encouraged.”