Chapter 2
The Lion and the Lamb ~ continued from Chapter 2 | Blessed By The Lord
Abe, Iram’s oldest son who had become the village blacksmith, rode out on the donkey to tell the workers that the midday meal was served.
“Father,” he called. “Come.”
The workers slowly came to a stop and brought their tools to the end of the field where the barley lay in neat, freshly cut piles.
Iram continued while the others began to make their way through the high fields.
“Would Haga be sitting close?” he thought. He laid low the barley as his mind raced but then he heard Abe calling.
“Father.”
He slowed his sickle and stood for a long time in the tall fields with the soil between his toes and sweat pouring down his smock.
He looked up at the brilliant sky and dropped his farming tools. He led a simple, hard farming life with only a few years of famine when the rains did not fall. But he was proud of his boy Abe and his family was respected for hard work. He had his health and the love of his wife. He tried to believe in Yahweh but still prayed to Baal, the rain god.
Two young men picked up a long wooden bench and brought it from the side of the barns and worksheds to a grassy opening.
The crowd of workers walked over as women emerged from the barn with a tray of food.
The young men went back into the barn and reappeared with four jugs of beer that were set down on the long table.
“Come, drink!” one man yelled as he opened a jug and tasted it, the cool barley beer running down his farmer’s tunic.
Abe laughed and took it from the man.
“Careful, it’s as precious as rain.” He took a long draught.
The women put out the food and giggled as the two young men begged to sit between them.
Iram emerged from the deep fields and washed his face and hands in a barrel of water. He let the water flow onto his face and looked for Hannah.
Haga smiled quickly at Iram and then turned away toward the far end of the long table.
The noonday sun beat down on the hardy men and women who slaved over the rocky fields and stony hillsides as they
beat back the wilderness and planted their hopes and dreams deep in the soil.
“Come,” said Iram when he found Hannah and sat down on the bench as she walked over.
A large woman with a bright red face handed Iram a hot piece of fresh bread. Plates of cheese and figs were set before them as well as a large bowl of chickpeas and flatbread.
The young men continued drinking from the jugs until Obed appeared, his face wet with sweat.
“Come, boys,” he said. “Bring that over here.”
He took it quickly and gave them a dark look. “You know better than that.”
He hoisted the jug to his shoulder and drank from it.
“The old man gets his drink first,” he laughed as the beer rolled down his smock.
The older workers quieted their voices as he wiped the beer from his chest.
He stood at the head of the long table and smiled at all the workers whom he had known since he was a young boy.
“Iram,” he called as he spied his old friend. “Please do us this honor.”
Iram stood up, his legs tired from bending.
A gentle, hot wind blew up over the rocky hillside and through the deep valley while it whispered through the freshly cut barley.
Iram covered his head and slightly bowed as he recited: “Blessed are You Hashem our God, King of the Universe, who creates a variety of sustenance.
”
The other workers responded in unison, “Hallelujah.”
Hungry hands passed the bowls quickly around the large tables.
Continue reading… Chapter 2 | All We Do Is Fight
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