He Had No Image

By Dianne Vargas

She was born to a king and was designated to temple service, but she is secretly terrified of the statues she is to serve for the rest of her life.

Can Uncle Abram's God, the one with no image, save her from this fate? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Dec 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647736996

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He Had

No Image

Dianne Vargas

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2020 by Dianne Vargas

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769.

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Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-64773-698-9 (Print Book)

ISBN 978-1-64773-699-6 (ebook)

Introduction

The story of Ruth is found in the Jewish Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is the true-life story of a young woman from Moab (modern-day nation of Jordan). The following writing is an artistic interpretation of this historical tale. I encourage you, dear reader, to read the story as originally recorded for posterity. I leave up to you on whether you should read it before or after completing this creative work, but knowing it will help you understand the source of my inspiration. Nonetheless, I’d like to explain the following:

It is an ancient rabbinic belief that Ruth was one of the many daughters of the Moabite king. I have used that as the tenet for weaving a tale of a concubine’s daughter designated to temple service in keeping with the tradition of a king’s daughter in the ancient Near East. Please turn to the next page to begin the discovery of how Ruth journeyed from conscripted servant to the gods of Moab to freewill worshipper of the God of Israel.

Prologue

Moab, King’s Palace

The eight-year-old child paused and cautiously looked around; her green eyes scanned every corner of the hallway. She needed to make sure no one saw her entering the king’s Hall of Chronicles. From the corner of her eye, she saw a priest running down the far side of the corridor. He was late for the ceremony to Chemosh, and the chief priest would not withhold his punishment. His tardiness demonstrated disrespect to the nation’s most important deity.

Ruth held her breath and hoped he would not turn his head as he sped along. When the sound of his running receded, she quietly pulled on the bronze door handle and stepped into the dark room. She already knew that scrolls upon scrolls lined the stone shelves on the wall; she also knew exactly where to look. Unafraid, she squinted her eyes and groped around until her hands came upon the heavy wooden ladder she had used in the past. With all her strength, she rolled it to the exact spot she had marked with an iron blade. The scratches she had carved on the lower stone shelf were deep and easy to feel. Once the ladder was perfectly set, she began to climb.

The first time she had done this, it had made her dizzy with fright, but by now, she was sure-footed and quick, although she knew that if anyone ever caught her, she would be in great trouble. Four months before reaching her eighth year, she had overheard a scribe reading one of the scrolls as he perfected his skill. What she heard had more than piqued her interest. According to what he read, the men the scroll spoke about were her people’s ancestors, yet these men sounded completely different from anyone else she had ever heard about in her temple studies.

She reached the correct shelf and squinted again as she grabbed the couple of slim scrolls; there were only a few of them. Quickly piling them into the crook of her left arm, she carefully began climbing back down. Finally, her feet slowly touched the ground. Immediately she walked the memorized steps toward the corner of the room that held the only single-pane window. Climbing on top of the stone bench and stretching up as far as possible, she caught the hanging leather strap. She pulled on it, and the wooden pane swung on its pole, and sunlight streamed into the room. She opened the first scroll, titled Our Patriarch, Lot. She could not comprehend everything it spoke about, but she understood enough and wished there were more.

The scrolls were about the life of Moab’s father, a man named Lot. Out of everything written about him, the most intriguing things were those said about his uncle Abram. There were multiple tales. One spoke about the time Lot and Abram separated from each other. Their herdsmen kept fighting one another since the herds were too large—it was impossible to sustain them in the same area. Lot admitted he had opted for the best portion of land, the lush plain of the Jordan. His uncle’s love for him had been so great that he neither complained nor argued. There was also no bitterness, for shortly after warring kings took Lot and his family prisoners, Uncle Abram risked his life to save them all.

The young girl devoured the writing on the scrolls, absorbing all the things Lot spoke about Abram. Lot said he was an extremely generous man, kind and hospitable to everyone he met. Everything he knew about honoring and serving the Lord God came from Abram, who was friend of that God. His wife, Sarai, had been an extraordinarily beautiful woman who gave Abram one son in her old age. But the scrolls said nothing more on that child, only mentioned his name, which was Isaac.

Ruth looked up and again wondered why the temple scrolls mentioned nothing about Abram. They did mention Lot, but only to say how he had sired their nation’s patriarch with his eldest daughter. Those stories exalted the cleverness and resourcefulness of Moab’s mother and that of her sister in deceiving their father. After all, they had thought him the only male left in the region after a great destruction. Assuring their status as mothers was too important, for, in their pride, they would not bear the shame of being childless.

She looked back down to continue reading.

Uncle’s faith in his Lord God was sometimes beyond what I could comprehend. He believed his God enough to leave grandfather’s house in Haran and go somewhere he has yet to know anything about, even the exact location. I went with him. Yet, it was through Abram that I learned to believe in and love his God. Unlike all other gods, this one really did care for those who freely chose to serve Him.

Once, uncle went into Egypt, escaping the famine in Canaan, and the pharaoh heard of Sarai’s beauty. He came to our camp to make her his wife, for he did not know she was already married to Abram. Uncle had asked her to say she was only his sister since he feared her beauty would cost him his life. The Lord God so highly esteemed his friendship with Abram that he was much angered with Egypt’s ruler. Although the pharaoh had yet to touch her as husband, severe punishment befell his entire household. It only ended when Sarai was returned. Yet all this was after the pharaoh had lavished Abram with many gifts. Did he not think himself benevolent toward his future brother-in-law? Shortly after, uncle said this to me, The Lord God loves, His mercy is great, and there is none as faithful as He. I did wrong in deceiving the Egyptians, but the Lord God still blessed me with gifts from the pharaoh and with protection for Sarai while in his house.

I, Lot, stand as witness and partaker of this divine favor and thus testify how immensely Abram’s wealth increased, as well as mine, with the pharaoh’s gifts. In addition, how well the Almighty provided for us and protected us while in Egypt. Only a very powerful God could bring about such amazing things.

Again, Ruth looked up from the writing, this time with a look of awe.

Who is this deity that Lot and Abram served? she whispered aloud.

The gods of Moab were friends to no one. That particular revelation in the scrolls always struck her, for the meaning of her name was friend and companion. She did not have a Moabite name.

For some reason, at that moment, she remembered her first sacrificial ceremony. As a daughter of the king, she had to commence attending royal sacrifices at the age of five. A few years later, she learned the baby offered to Chemosh that day had been her own half-brother, the latest-born son to her father from one of his wives. His crying could barely be heard over the drums, music, and chanting of the temple priests, but she would never forget how his screams had briefly intensified when the flames fanned up underneath him. There had been such rejoicing and frenzied dancing once that happened, but all the king’s children were hurried back into the palace. Space had to be made available for the soldiers to enjoy the remainder of the festivities. Anytime the king’s sons and daughters were removed from an area, ample space opened up; she had an abundance of brothers and sisters.

Ruth looked down at the other scrolls lying next to her and eagerly grabbed another one. She had asked one of the temple scribes about scrolls containing information on Lot. He had assured her it was not important for her to know more about Lot than Moab. Besides, he had added, Lot did not serve our gods; he served an unknown God, one who has no image we can bow to. That had greatly intrigued her, for she had never heard that some of her ancestors served only one deity. Only the Hebrews did that. But the Hebrews were the children of Jacob and had come from Egypt. They had nothing to do with Lot, Abram, and Sarai, who, according to the scrolls, had originally come from Ur.

Wanting to reread the part where Lot assured it humanly impossible for Sarai to have conceived and given birth at her advanced age, she unrolled the second scroll.

Uncle’s God had promised him a child through Sarai, for divine mediation was the only method for her to conceive. Sarai was now very old…

A sudden severe throat-clearing made Ruth jump right up to her feet. In terror, she stared up at the temple guard sent to find her. That was where she was supposed to be, at the temple, attending to her training. He didn’t say a word, simply moved aside to allow her to exit the room before him. As they walked the well-traveled path from palace to temple, she kept trying to think of a reason for having been in the king’s Hall of Chronicles instead of her priestly classes.

When she entered the room for priestesses-in-training, she withered under the stern look the chief priestess gave her. She was, however, relieved when this one continued her speech on the honor of serving the gods instead of coming over to question her. She sat next to her younger half-sister, Orpah, and proceeded to recite one of the many prayers they were to memorize for their service rituals. This one was a devotion to Baal, as due to their beauty, the king had designated this group of girls not only to serve as his priestesses but also to be in contention for replacing the chief priestess once she could no longer serve. Each would have an extended training period before serving in the full function of a priestess. Nevertheless, the moment each girl reached her fifteenth year of life, she would promptly be elevated to that level.

Would Abram’s God listen to me if I ask Him to release me from this service? Ruth secretly wondered.

She genuinely detested having to be around the idols all day. Their stone-cold eyes made her shiver. As a Moabite princess, she could not speak of how much she disliked the images of her nation’s gods, but she did wonder if she could instead serve in the temple of Abram’s God, wherever that might be. Yet, she dared not ask anyone about it.

Chapter 1

Bethlehem of Judah, Almost Five Years Later

This is no longer just a few ruined crops, Elimelekh whispered to himself. It is quickly turning into a full-blown famine for the entire land.

His horrified gaze looked out at the mostly dead crops in his vast fields. He was a man of Ephrata; the entirety of his family line were Ephratites. A family of means and social standing. It also meant he had options many other Israelites did not. One of those options was to relocate, at least until the famine was over. But only the Almighty knew when that would be. Yesterday evening, he had discussed that very thing with Naomi.

This is no doubt the hand of God upon the land, Naomi had assured him.

According to God’s law, famine was one of the penalties for disloyalty. Shortly after the last of Joshua’s generation had gone to sleep, the blatant infidelity had begun. Each judge the Lord appointed brought stability and well-being to the land, but as soon as one was dead and buried, the people would again fall into idolatry and inner fighting.

But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn against you. He will shut up the sky and hold back the rain, and the ground will fail to produce its harvests. Then you will quickly die in that good land the Lord is giving you.¹

That was the message given through Moses. Could there be any real wonder a famine was encroaching? No, no wonder at all. Elimelekh shook his head in sadness as he thought of all the wickedness practiced by the people in the last few decades. Practiced by many even till this very day, despite the Lord’s hand being heavy upon them in His loving attempt to bring them to repentance and restoration.

His own given name, Elimelekh, meant My God is King. He was to remember that unlike the nations around them, Israel did not have a man for a king, but the Lord God was their King. He had done his best to live up to that name. To demonstrate that his was indeed a life subject to the will of their God and King, the Lord Yahweh. Now he had come to a decision, and although he and Naomi had prayed over it, there seemed to be nothing but silence from the Lord. No sign to indicate either a yes or a no. He would therefore take the silence as consent and move forward with his plan.

He quickly mounted his donkey and trotted back home.

Naomi? he called out the moment his feet touched the courtyard. It was always a pleasant thing to speak her name, for it meant my delight, and she had been his delight since their youth. She was lovely to his eyes and even lovelier to his heart.

Her petite frame came into view from the storage room.

My lord, she said, the traditional Hebrew greeting of a wife to a husband since the days of Sarah, you called me?

Yes, it is time to load the wagon. We have missed the first caravan on the Ishmaelite schedule for this hoeing season, but we can be ready for the second one.

You have then received a sign from the Lord? she asked, her dark eyes lighting up with hope.

I’ve heard nothing yet, he answered, his shoulders slightly drooping, but we shall go forth and trust in the Lord’s favor.

Naomi slowly nodded. She knew staying put amid a growing famine was not an option, not for them.

Looking up toward the roof, she briefly observed her boys. They were in deep discussion and avidly pointed toward the general direction of their father’s fields.

Their situation was different. Her mind went back to the day each was born.

Too early! the midwife had said, but she and Elimelekh already knew that. They also knew babies born before their final term did not survive. When she began bleeding, in what she determined was her seventh month, and then her water broke, she had almost fainted from fear. Her baby could not be born now! It had already taken years for her husband’s seed to plant firmly in her womb. She heard the whispers of the neighbors and their pitying looks each time she walked about the village.

She is barren, they mouthed behind their hands. Poor Elimelekh, surely he will take a second wife and assure his lineage.

She pretended not to know or understand what they whispered, but she knew, and she prayed. Finally, after six years, she knew she was with child, and the midwife had agreed based on her symptoms. She and Elimelekh made an immediate trip to Shiloh to offer their thanksgiving at the tabernacle. How joyful they had been, but then the baby decided he would come on a day no one expected, and their joy shattered. The birth was very difficult, and then the midwife finally had him in her hands. It was painful to look at him. His skin was a strange grayish color, and his breathing heavily labored. Overall, he looked sickly and weak.

The midwife used every bit of her knowledge and experience. The entire night she softly blew into his nose and mouth, and the child lived. His father fittingly named him Mahlon. Three years later, his brother was born in almost the same exact circumstances.

A stabbing pain passed through her midsection, and just as quickly, blood gushed out of her. The boy was born into the same midwife’s hands, but this time Elimelekh had broken with convention, insisting the territory physician be present. Despite the old woman’s outrage at having a man present for the birth, Rapha had stayed by her side the entire time. This second baby seemed even weaker than the first, with his skin somewhat translucent and his chest caving in and out. Again, they endured a full night of agony in the struggle to keep him alive.

Naomi heard the puppy barking and slightly shook herself out of the painful memories. The pet ran up the stairs to the roof, immediately leaping up unto the boys. They heartily laughed and scratched her in response to her playful antics. The boys could almost be normal, healthy young men, but they weren’t.

Elimelekh appropriately named the second child Kilion, and the midwife informed them he would most likely be their last. If not for Rapha’s skill, Naomi would have died that night. Yet despite the hardship the boys had in coming into the world, the Lord had been generous in giving them two sons. The eldest would have his father’s blessing and be the head of the family, and as tradition demanded, he would also inherit twice as much as the youngest.

No! She could not voice doubt on her husband’s decision. Even if he had not yet heard from the Lord, he felt confident it was reasonable to move forward until they knew otherwise. They should escape from the growing hunger, if not for their own sakes, then for their boys.

I’ll let the servants know to begin the work, she finally replied. They had decided not to take the servants with them unless any specifically asked to come along. They had family of their own and would have to leave them behind. She knew some might decide to leave shortly after they left, but thus far, none had requested to go with them.

That very day the work began, and before three full days had gone by, they were set and ready to go, but Elimelekh’s mood had darkened within that time. His peers, the leading men of Bethlehem, had called him for a meeting at the town gate.

As a prince of the tribe of Judah, a leading citizen of this region, you have the responsibility of guiding and looking after the people, not abandoning them, they said to him.

Elimelekh had suspected they would view his departure as abandonment.

Am I also not a husband and father? Am I not also tasked with leading and protecting my family? he defensively countered.

He was positive they had not spoken to any of the others who had already left. Yet, he knew why they chose to bring him to trial on this matter. No other in Israel traveled to the markets of the neighboring nations to sell the product of their fields. In the last few years, only he undertook that practice.

Elimelekh had seen no other choice but to add the new trade. Mahlon and Kilion were fragile; thus, only educating them in his own farming labor could be detrimental for their future. Merchant work was much more suited for them. Therefore, he had begun the new vocation six years prior, honing his skills as a seller and barterer. Shortly after, the boys went along with him for their own training on the skill of commerce. His goal was for the boys not to solely depend on farming after he was no longer with them. When that time came, they should have already acquired enough of a repute among the merchants to be able to conduct their own business.

He tried reasoning with the elders, but they did not budge from their displeasure with him. He noticed that not all the men looked displeased with him; a few, mostly those related to him, just had a look of disappointment in their eyes.

Disappointed in me, Elimelekh wondered, or in this meeting having been convened?

In the end, the forced court appearance did not produce what they sought, which was to change his mind.

Are you all speaking on behalf of the Lord God? he challenged. Which one of you did God speak to directly?

They all stared at one another in silence. No one had spoken about God revealing anything. They could not claim theirs was a message from the Lord, but surely God did not want them to voluntarily abandon the land He had given to them. The argument proceeded mostly among themselves, as Elimelekh chose to say nothing more.

When he arrived home later that afternoon, he spoke out every word his tongue had held back in the belief that it would have been futile.

Not one of them has only two sons who have survived against all odds. They all have healthy sons and daughters. I’m the only one with only two offspring, and both of them sickly, he exclaimed in frustration.

Naomi listened quietly, understanding he only wanted someone to listen. She did wonder, if the situation were reversed, what many of them would do. A desolation over the land wasn’t just looming; it was already here. The majority were too blind to see that it was the Lord’s doing. Their disobedience withheld the rains, which in turn brought about the famine. Each did what seemed right in his own eyes, not taking into account any of the teachings of Moses.

Oh! She had indeed heard what the other prominent woman, and even not too prominent, were saying about their impending departure.

Elimelekh is one of the wealthiest among us. Of course, he can up and leave.

He only has one wife and two sons to cart along with.

No elderly parents or in-laws. If that were our situation, wouldn’t we leave as well?

To them, Elimelekh was being selfish, and if they could, they would follow his example. Her heart skipped a beat at that thought. Those she had overheard saying such things were some of the worst offenders against God’s law. They had even adopted the disgusting customs of the surrounding Canaanites. Yet their hearts agreed with Elimelekh. Was her family doing the right thing?

Chapter 2

Moab was the chosen destination.

The revelation did shock their servants. Although the Moabites initially allowed the children of Jacob to peaceably transit through their territory, even agreeing to sell them the necessary food and water, Israel nonetheless knew the animosity of that nation toward them. They had later refused to allow them passage through the King’s Highway. Their king went as far as to hire Balaam to curse them; therefore, God had commanded thus through Moses:

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the Lord. These nations did not welcome you with food and water when you came out of Egypt. Instead, they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in distant Aram-naharaim to curse you. But the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into a blessing because the Lord your God loves you. As long as you live, you must never promote the welfare and prosperity of the Ammonites or Moabites.²

In having conducted business with individual Moabites and Ammonites, Elimelekh had never transgressed the law of the Lord God, for the command was that Israel, as a nation, must never promote their national welfare and prosperity. This was because King Balak’s nefarious attempt had been to curse them as a people. Therefore, her husband had indeed made good connections with some of their wealthier merchants. The prolonged periods of their adjacent tents had made for many friendly exchanges, which in time generated esteem and respect for her husband. It was also true that for some years now, the neighboring nations were at peace.

Temporarily moving to a land full of wheat and fig is smart, Naomi nervously mumbled to herself on the morning of their departure. She just wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself or the Lord God.

We also do have a genuine, warm letter of invitation from one of their wealthiest citizens, she continued, although no voice had refuted her reasoning.

The trip of thirty-five miles was uneventful as they rode along with the caravan. Finally arriving to the outskirts of Kir, the major city of Moab and seat of its government throne, they felt both relieved and exhausted. The boys had also fared well, better than expected, but they had, after all, assured their parents they were no longer little children.

Mahlon had just recently turned the age of official Hebrew manhood; Kilion would reach it two years from now. Despite their sickly constitutions, their countenances were handsome. Mahlon took after his father, with light-brown hair and amber-colored eyes. Kilion looked just like his mother with his much darker eyes and black hair. The older was a bit taller than the younger, but they were both still small and thin for thirteen and eleven.

Having left the caravan behind, they recognized the structure that was to be their home for a hopefully short amount of time because of the man standing in front of it. He waved at them with a big smile on his bearded face. Kerkan was one of the prominent men of Kir and a good friend of the king’s most trusted brother, Prince Bahamaht. Kerkan had found them the house. It belonged to a merchant Edomite who only lived in it every other year, but Elimelekh could rent it, as the Edomite would not return to Moab for an extended time.

The home’s location was exactly what Elimelekh had hoped—situated in the plains of Moab yet not too far into them. In fact, the home was only a few miles away from the main streets of the metropolis. Close enough for them to travel into the city anytime they needed, but far enough for his family not to be overexposed to the Moabite culture and religion. Both were vastly different from Israel. Their main god, Chemosh, required human sacrifice as part of his worship, specifically child sacrifice, not to mention that their other gods, like Baal, required acts of sexual perversion with humans and animals as part of his service. A sudden shiver ran down Elimelekh’s spine. He had to admit that as their distance from Judah increased, so had his apprehension.

His consolation was that as soon as he knew their land was again fruitful, they would immediately go back. That was imperative, for Mahlon was already at the age of entering a marriage contract, and Kilion was quickly following. He wanted to assure good marriages for his boys. The other reason was the mandated pilgrimages he and Mahlon, as adult Hebrew males, had to make. Three times a year, they were to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle during the festivals of Yah. A good majority of Hebrew families did not make the journey, but his did. Yet while they were in Moab, those travels would cease. Out of everything else, that was what gave him the most anxiety. Could there possibly be any excuse for not fulfilling God’s law, even if you only meant it to be for a little while?

One of his now-sweaty palms released the reins to wave back at Kerkan. Once the oxen pulled up in front of the house, he stopped the wagon and hopped off. Kerkan bowed in greeting,

Most honored Elim, you are finally here, he said, and just in time for Prince Bahamaht’s feast, which commences tomorrow evening.

Dearest Kerkan, thank you so much for meeting us here to help us settle in. I present to you my wife, Naomi, and our sons, Mahlon and Kilion.

It is my extreme pleasure to finally meet my friend’s family. Kerkan inclined his head to Naomi and the boys as a sign of his respect.

It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Naomi replied, also bowing her head. I offer my gratitude for all you have done to help us find this house.

Kerkan again smiled widely. It is a pleasure to be of help to you and your family, he responded. Come, look inside first and meet the servants that come with the home. They have already prepared a meal for you and are ready to wash your feet.

He helped the boys climb down, surprised at how enfeebled they looked but made no comment. From the outside and surrounding grounds, it was obvious to see this was a rich man’s home. Upon fully seeing the home, Elimelekh felt his apprehension ease just a bit. His family would be comfortable in this house. Overall, with their safe arrival and Kerkan’s personal attention in receiving them, things in Moab did seem to be starting well.

The two men had previously agreed that it was best for no one else to know the family was Hebrew. In his invitation letter, Kerkan requested they not mention it but also not to worry about it. The people would assume they were from Edom since they were staying in Makdiel’s home. He had also warned them not to speak Hebrew around others. For this same reason, they decided the servants would not live in the home with them but would instead come at dawn and leave before dusk.

Once the tour of the home and surrounding territory ended, Kerkan directed the servants to unload the wagon. He bade them goodbye, extending an invitation to the prince’s feast. It was in honor of his newborn son. Naomi and Elimelekh knew it would be a feast full of ritual thanks to their fertility gods, Baal and his consort, Asherah. It was also a royal invitation, and they needed to be careful with rejecting it.

Let us rest this night, and I’ll send you word tomorrow morning, Elimelekh finally answered. It was all he could really say. He didn’t want to accept, but he didn’t dare refuse.

Their first night in the strange land was a very quiet one. After bidding the boys a good night while reciting the words of the law, they lay down on their own cots without saying much to each other. Naomi noticed Elimelekh didn’t say much to the Lord God either. He did not bow his head low to the ground before turning in, as was his custom.

For her part, she offered thanks to the Lord for their safe arrival and closed her eyes, knowing sleep would not come easily. She felt extremely uneasy about having to hide the fact that they were Israelites. The boys’ training for the markets included lessons in the Moabite and Edomite languages, and since the speeches so closely resembled Hebrew, they were thankfully already fluent. But what about the palace invitation? She would have that conversation with Elimelekh first thing in the morning.

*****

The sun came up, but his anxiety had not vanished with the dawn. Elimelekh had reasoned his mind to be too full of distractions for his usual prayer. There were many petitions in his heart, but his thoughts could not harness them in order to present them to his Creator. It had been like that since a little before they took to the road. It worried him.

He looked at Naomi asleep next to him and stood up, careful not to disturb her. He knew they must talk about the palace invitation, but he didn’t have any idea what they would do. They were strangers in this land, and having the goodwill of someone in the royal family was a good thing; declining to participate in the feast would not generate that goodwill. A shiver ran through him as he washed his face. He was convincing himself it was due to the cold water when he heard Naomi’s footsteps behind him. She put her arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his back.

Shalom, husband, she tenderly said.

He turned around and took her in his arms, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Shalom, wife, he answered just as tenderly.

After a moment of comfortable silence, he spoke up again. We should talk about the palace invitation.

Her lovely countenance fell, and with a sigh, she answered him, Yes, you are right, we should before the boys awaken.

We can’t turn down an invitation from the prince, Elimelekh stated. He is inviting us because of his close friendship with Kerkan.

Her brows furrowed with concern.

Darling, you know that feast will be dedicated to their heathen gods. Is it right for us to attend? Would we not be participating in the worship of those gods just by being there? The law is very clear on foreign gods.

She felt his muscles tense up as she posed each question. He unwrapped his arms from around her and reached for the drying cloth. Vigorously rubbing his face in frustration, he threw the cloth down and turned back to her.

We have to make some difficult decisions, and this is one of them. If we don’t partake of any food or drink, then we won’t be eating anything previously presented to their gods. We’ll just have to be astute about that. We’ll also only stay long enough to pay our respect to the prince; then, we shall promptly leave.

She tried appearing calm as he spoke, but her insides were churning.

Compromise! her spirit screamed out. Did you not already compromise by temporarily leaving Israel? Was choosing the abundance of Moab not another compromise?

I’m apprehensive about taking the boys to such an environment, she finally blurted out. Do you not think Kerkan would understand, given our recent arrival? Could he not explain to the prince how tired we still are?

His features were stone still, but his eyes told her everything. He was annoyed. He felt he needed her support in this matter, but instead, she was attempting to change his mind. She was also annoyed! And sad, frightened, confused—all of them at once. Overall, she felt ill; her stomach was turning, and her head started pounding. She closed her eyes and gently rubbed her temples.

Why don’t you and the boys stay? he answered while gently grabbing her shoulders. I’ll tell Kerkan you are still too exhausted from the travel.

She opened her eyes, looked down to the ground, and nodded in agreement. She wished he would not attend but knew he had already made up his mind; therefore, she said nothing else.

Chapter 3

Naomi had just finished pouring water out of the rooftop cistern when the corner