The Sons of Isaac(14)

Immediately after the message was read, the young man snapped the scroll back together and dropped it into the leather case. With military precision he turned and shouted at the few retainers who had come with him. In minutes they were back on their mules headed toward Gerar in a cloud of dust.

As soon as the dust cleared there was much speculation as to what the steward’s business might involve. At first it was suggested that it probably concerned the wells and herding grounds that had become crowded. Only Eleazar suggested that it might have to do with the king’s daughter.

“Perhaps we should call Isaac and determine just what happened during his visit to the palace,” Eleazar said. “If the king believes that Isaac has chosen his daughter, this could be serious enough and important enough for the king’s steward to be sent to negotiate the terms.”

Abraham was horrified. “It’s impossible. My son can never marry a Canaanite. He’s the son of promise, the one to receive the blessing and the birthright.”

“But don’t you see,” said Eleazar, “if the king thinks his daughter wants to marry Isaac and they have reason to believe he has agreed to some relationship, it will be very difficult to back out. They will be greatly offended.”

“And,” said Abraham, tugging at his beard and wiping his brow, “if we are to live in peace with them, we must not offend them.”

“There is no offense greater than to spurn a king’s offer of his daughter.”

Both men sat silently contemplating the possibility of such a disaster. The more they thought about it, the more likely it seemed that the king was sending his chief steward on some such mission. “He wouldn’t send his chief steward to discuss the water rights or the grazing difficulties, and a mere boy could deliver an invitation to a feast,” Abraham said.

“Do you intend to ask Isaac to be with us when we receive the steward?” Eleazar asked.

“He’ll not be here. He’s ridden out with my men to Hebron to buy some special rams in the market.”

“That’s good,” Eleazar said, looking relieved. “We must deal with this first and then we can talk to Isaac. It will be better that way.”

“If the marriage of the king’s daughter is the business to be discussed, it will not come out well, no matter what we say or do. I’m afraid the lad’s heart will be broken and the king will be looking for vengeance.”

“It may not be that bad,” Eleazar said, hoping to cheer his old friend.

“I know exactly how bad it will be. I’ve dealt with such matters before, and I’ve always tried to get out of the difficulty by telling half-truths.”

“And,” said Eleazar, leaning forward with interest, “what will you do this time?”

“I intend to tell the truth. I have only Elohim to help me, and it’s hard for Him to help a man who tells half-truths.”

Eleazar toyed with the fringe on his robe and struggled to think of something encouraging to say, but in his heart he knew this situation could be both dangerous and hurtful to all of them.

News of the expected guests had reached the women, and while the men had been talking the women had been making preparations. It was a rare honor for the king’s chief steward to visit, and under other situations they would have had several days to prepare. Now they rushed around in a great flurry of activity.

Some were making sweet date cakes and others arranged dried figs and choice fat raisins on leaf-covered straw mats. They sent one of the young servants out to milk several goats and another to draw water at the well. Still others spread special floor coverings of fresh woven reeds in the main reception area of Abraham’s tent.

Just as everything was ready, one of the young goatherds ran in to say there was a cloud of dust on the horizon in the direction of the city of Gerar. Immediately Abraham rose and went to the door of his tent. He still wore the garments of Ur and spoke with the accent of Mesopotamia. He called for his fringed cloak of fine linen and his girdle of polished brass. A young aide anointed his beard with rose water and fastened his sandals on his feet.

The king’s chief steward arrived with all the pomp of his royal position. He had fifty retainers, forty of which were soldiers carrying shields and spears, five carrying banners, three drummers, and two trumpeters running before his chariot. Abraham sent Eleazar out to escort the steward and the king’s scribe to his tent while the retainers waited at attention in the hot afternoon sun.

When the steward was finally seated, they exchanged extensive greetings. The weather was discussed, arriving caravans noted, and finally the news of Egypt digested. As always, this gave time for each man to size up the situation.