Atretes held her at arm’s length, his expression somber as he searched her face. “Why do you hesitate?”
“What brought you to this pass?”
“What brought me? Your death opened my eyes. I need you, not just because of Caleb, but for myself.”
She couldn’t look in his eyes without weakening. Closing them, she prayed wildly, her heart crying out to the Lord. Is this what you want for us? Or is it our own flesh yearning?
It is not good for a man to be alone.
The words came so softly to mind she thought someone had whispered them.
She felt Atretes’ fingertips touching her throat tenderly and shivered. Opening her eyes, she looked into his and saw a softness and vulnerability she had never guessed existed. It wasn’t just desire that drove him to this decision. He loved her. Truly loved her.
Lord God, don’t let me be a stumbling block. Don’t let him be one. Help me light his way. You know how my tongue gets away with me.
Again, the soft whisper came.
Trust in me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
She took his hand. “Not for Caleb only, Atretes, but for myself, I will marry you,” she said. Tears filled her eyes when she saw joy leap into his. Did she really matter so much to him? She had never thought it possible for this hard, violent man to have such tender feelings and deep needs.
More the fool I, Lord. Will I ever see him through your eyes and with your heart?
Theophilus came out of the spring and walked toward them. When he reached them, he held out his hands to them both. Atretes took his right, Rizpah his left.
“Lord God, we stand before you this day to join Atretes and Rizpah in marriage. Be with us, Jesus, in the making of these bonds.” He looked at Atretes. “In a Christian marriage, Atretes, the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, he himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so you will be subject to Christ, and so also Rizpah will be subject to you in everything. Love her, just as Christ also loves you and gave himself up for you. Sacrificially, willing even to die for her. Love her as you love your own body. Sustain and protect her in all circumstances.”
“I will.”
Theophilus looked at Rizpah and smiled. “Be subject to Atretes, beloved. Be subject to him as to the Lord. And respect him as your husband.”
“I will.”
Caleb stood in the middle of their small circle, looking up at them as Theophilus brought his mother’s and father’s hands together over the child’s head.
Atretes clasped Rizpah’s hand possessively. Theophilus put one hand over theirs, and another beneath. “Be subject to one another in fear of Christ. There is neither male nor female; for you are one in Christ Jesus, called to live according to God’s will and not your own. Remember our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for us and arose on the third day. Our God is patient and kind. He is never jealous nor boasts nor is arrogant. Jesus never sought his own nor was provoked nor took into account a wrong suffered. The Lord never rejoices in unrighteousness. Christ Jesus bore all things and endured all things for our sake. His love never fails.
“Therefore, beloved, remember and follow in his way. Walk as children of light. Cleave to one another. Submit to one another in the love of Christ, and live in a way pleasing to Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Releasing their hands, he asked them to kneel before God, then did so with them. Quiet and wide-eyed, Caleb hugged Rizpah’s side as Theophilus laid one hand upon her head, the other on Atretes’.
“Lord God, creator of all things, creator of this man and woman, I ask your blessing upon them as they go forth as man and wife.”
“Please, Lord,” Rizpah said softly, head bowed.
“May they raise up their son Caleb to praise your name.”
“We will do so,” Atretes vowed.
“Put angels around them and protect them from the enemy who will come against them and try to drive them apart.”
“Please protect us, Lord,” Rizpah murmured.
“Give them children to raise up in your name.”
“Sons and daughters,” Atretes said boldly, and heat filled Rizpah’s face and body.
Theophilus grinned and then went on. “Lord Jesus, may Atretes and Rizpah serve you with gladness and come into your presence daily with thanksgiving, knowing you alone are God. You have made them in your image and have a divine purpose for their lives. You are their shield and their strength. May they never lean on their own understanding, Lord, but trust in you, acknowledging you in all their ways, so that you will make their paths straight.”
“May we please you, Lord,” Rizpah said.