Keepers of the Covenant

by Lynn Austin

  “What about—?”

  “I’m a Levite. I’ve been invited to come, and I’m coming. That’s all I have to say.”

  Chapter

  39

  NEAR THE AHAVA CANAL

  Insects buzzed and hummed in the twilight as Ezra sat with his family outside their tent after the evening meal. Asher and the other emissaries had returned from Casiphia with good news, and Ezra wanted to record all the details in his journal:

  Because the gracious hand of God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, eighteen men; and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari and his brothers and nephews, twenty men. They also brought 220 of the temple servants—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name—

  “Excuse me.” Ezra looked up to find a man standing over him. He hadn’t heard him approach. “Are you Ezra ben Seraiah?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “My name is Hashabiah. I’m one of the Levites from Casiphia. I need to speak with you about my nephew, Reuben ben David.”

  “Please, have a seat,” Ezra said, gesturing to a place beside the campfire.

  The man shook his head. “Thank you, but I’m afraid this won’t be a pleasant conversation.”

  Ezra stood, his unease growing at the man’s somber expression. “Is your nephew having second thoughts about coming with us?” he asked.

  “No, he still wants to join the caravan, but I’m sorry to say none of us from Casiphia is willing to vouch for my nephew, myself included. He’s a troublemaker and has long been suspected of being a thief—if not worse. He has hung around with a rough gang of Babylonians for years, avoiding his fellow Jews.”

  Ezra’s concern deepened at the mention of the hated Gentiles. “Yes, go on.”

  “Reuben makes no attempt to follow the Torah. He hasn’t prayed with us or attended our celebrations or other events for fifteen years. He’s more Babylonian than Jew, I’m sorry to say, and I believe he’ll have a bad influence on other young men.”

  “How old is he?”

  “Twenty-seven.”

  It took Ezra only a moment to decide. “We can’t allow him to come.”

  “I tried to stop him. But Reuben insists that your brother Asher invited him to join us. He also says he met you once before, a long time ago.”

  “Send him here,” Ezra decided. “Tell him I’d like to speak with him.”

  “I should warn you, Rebbe, my nephew can be quite unpleasant. And he has a very bad temper.”

  “Then the sooner we get this over with the better.” Ezra asked his family to go inside the tent and give him a moment of privacy while Hashabiah went to fetch his nephew. Ezra paced in front of the fire while he waited, his journal forgotten. He would have to be firm with Hashabiah’s nephew, letting him know that anyone who didn’t keep the law was not welcome.

  The young man who arrived was tall and well-built, towering over Ezra by a full head. If his temper was as bad as Hashabiah said, then Ezra would be no match for him. Reuben wore no kippah on his unruly dark hair, no fringes on his robe—both very bad signs. His face wore the bristly stubble of an unkempt beard and an angry expression. “I understand we’ve met before, Reuben,” Ezra said in greeting. “Forgive me, but I can’t place where.”

  “My father, Daniel, was the blacksmith who made weapons for you.”

  “Ah yes.” Ezra could almost recognize the boy he’d met in the man who stood before him. “How is your father? Is he coming with us, too?”

  “My father is dead. He died in battle on the Thirteenth of Adar.”

  Ezra stroked his beard, shocked by his words. That certainly explained a lot of Reuben’s anger. He would’ve been a boy at the time. But it also raised a perplexing question—why was Reuben hanging out with Babylonians after they killed his father? “I’m very sorry to hear about your father, Reuben. From what I remember, he was a good man and an excellent blacksmith. But tell me, what made you decide to come with us?”

  “Your brother said you need Levites. And on the night you visited our shop, I remember my father wishing we could serve in the temple like our Levite ancestors did. He would’ve wanted me to come.”

  Surprisingly, Ezra did remember the incident. The brawny blacksmith’s eyes had glistened as he’d voiced his wish. And hadn’t that been Ezra’s wish for his sons, as well, the reason that he’d petitioned the king of Persia? The blacksmith’s longing had seemed impossible at the time, but not any longer. Reuben’s father had worked hard to furnish the weapons his people needed and had died a hero. Ezra hated to turn away the son of such a fine man, but if Reuben didn’t follow the Torah, he wasn’t welcome. His own uncle had accused him of being a troublemaker.

  “There’s nothing to tie me down here,” Reuben continued. “I’m not married—and my uncle forced my mother and me to sell Abba’s blacksmith shop against my wishes. I would like a new start.”

  “So it isn’t because you want to follow God’s Torah?”

  “I just told you my reasons.”

  Ezra sighed. At least Reuben was honest and didn’t try to embellish his motives. But Ezra needed to be firm. “Listen, Reuben. The Persian king’s decree authorized our return in order to govern Judah by God’s law. That includes all the rules and regulations given in His Torah. The decree specifically says whoever fails to obey God’s law must be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.” Reuben looked away. “Your uncle tells me you don’t like rules, and you never worship with the other men. If we allow you to come, you’ll have to live by every letter of the law. Can you honestly swear to me you’ll do that?” Ezra waited, but Reuben didn’t reply. “I didn’t think so. You need to return to Casiphia, Reuben. Good evening.”

  Ezra saw Reuben’s surprise, as if he hadn’t expected to be turned away. Then his surprise turned to anger as he whirled around and left.

  Devorah came out of their tent as soon as Reuben was gone. “Why did you send that young man away? I thought you needed more Levites.”

  “We do. But we only want men who are going to follow God’s law, otherwise they’ll pollute the land.” He sat down again to resume writing in his journal, but Devorah stood over him, her hands on her hips. He looked up. “What’s wrong?”

  “You showed mercy to our sons when they broke the law. Why can’t you show mercy to him?”

  “It was different in our sons’ case.”

  “How? Tell me how it was any different? Except that Reuben doesn’t have a father to stand up for him.”

  Ezra swallowed an angry reply. Her interference and persistence annoyed him. He’d promised before they married to listen to her and consider her opinion, but tonight her outspokenness chafed. “There’s a reason why we’re told to stone the wayward son, Devorah. And Reuben’s own uncle said he’s a thief and a troublemaker.”

  “I didn’t see a troublemaker, I saw a son of Abraham. And even if he was a troublemaker in the past, why not give him a chance to repent? He could change in the right environment, you know. Isn’t God showing mercy to our people and giving us another chance?”

  Ezra stood and rested his hands on her slender shoulders. “Devorah, don’t you remember how this all began? The reason God first prompted us to return to Jerusalem was because our own sons were enticed by Babylon. We wanted to draw them away from bad influences and back to God.”

  “Exactly. You didn’t turn our sons away after they disobeyed God’s rules and skipped classes. Instead, you tried to change their environment. Doesn’t Reuben deserve a chance to leave pagan Babylon, too? Why not show the same concern for this fatherless boy that you showed our sons?”

  “Reuben’s uncle refused to vouch for him.”

  “Where’s the proof of his uncle’s accusations? Where’s the second witness? I’ve never known you to judge a person so quickly and so harshly, E
zra. I was very surprised by your decision.”

  “I was asked to give a judgment tonight, and I did.”

  “Just like that? Without asking the Almighty One’s advice?”

  “Reuben admitted his motivation wasn’t to obey the Torah.”

  “How do you know the same thing isn’t true of other people in this caravan? Reuben may have wandered away from the faith, but at least he’s trying to take a step in God’s direction. Why won’t you help him, Ezra? Give him a chance to learn God’s laws. Suppose God remembered our past mistakes and rejected us?”

  Ezra couldn’t reply. Very few of his community’s elders ever dared to question his decisions this way, and it pricked his pride to have the rebuke come from his wife. He took a breath, then said, “Sometimes it’s difficult to find the right balance between following the law and offering mercy—”

  “You were all law, Ezra. You showed no mercy at all.”

  “Even if you’re right, and I was too harsh, it’s too late to change my mind. I already sent him away.”

  “Then maybe you need to find him and tell him you’re sorry. Tell him he’s needed and wanted. Isn’t the Almighty One overlooking our past and giving us a second chance?”

  “What if his uncle’s suspicions are correct and he turns out to be a bad influence?”

  “What if God is wrong about us and we abandon His law all over again? Give Reuben a chance to change, Ezra, and for God to change him. Grace can do that, you know. When God showed mercy and spared our lives fifteen years ago, look how we responded. Show Reuben God’s grace and let it transform him. This young man lost his father. Suppose our sons lost you? Wouldn’t you want someone to show them mercy instead of threatening them with ‘death, banishment, and imprisonment’?”

  “I asked him if he was willing to obey the rules and—”

  “And you didn’t even give him a chance to reply before sending him away.”

  It was true. There was nothing more Ezra could say. As much as it irritated him to admit it, Devorah was right. He would have to surrender his pride, find Reuben, and give him a second chance. He whispered a prayer for wisdom and went to find him.

  Casiphia’s Levites had camped at the northern edge of the caravan, and Hashabiah rushed forward to greet Ezra as he approached. “I’ve come to talk to your nephew Reuben again,” Ezra told him.

  “He’s over there.” Reuben sat all alone, apart from the others, staring at nothing. Ezra prayed for strength and the right words to say as he walked over to him.

  “I came to apologize for being so short with you a few minutes ago,” Ezra said. “I was wrong to speak to you that way, and I’m very sorry. If you would still like to join our caravan to Jerusalem, you will be welcome.”

  Reuben unfolded his long legs and rose to his feet. “What about all the rules you talked about?”

  “You’ll have to obey them, of course. But I’m hoping you’ll be drawn to God and that as you get to know Him, you’ll obey His rules for the same reason most of us do—because we love Him and want to please Him.”

  Reuben gave Ezra a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”

  “Aren’t those the same reasons you obeyed your father’s rules when you lived in his household, Reuben? Because you loved him and wanted to please him?”

  “I suppose.”

  “You told me you wanted a new start. Ideally, repentance should be motivated by our desire to return to God, not because we want to try something new. But I hope you’ll at least try to get to know the God who loves you. I would be honored to teach you about Him myself.” For the briefest of moments, Ezra thought he saw Reuben’s eyes glisten. “If you’re willing to forgive my earlier gruffness, please come back to my tent tomorrow morning, and we’ll talk about finding a job that suits you.” He rested his hand on Reuben’s muscular arm for a moment, then walked back to his tent.

  Reuben arrived the next morning as Ezra was finishing breakfast, and he couldn’t blame the young man for looking wary and suspicious. “Have a seat, Reuben,” he said, gesturing to the rug. “This isn’t an exam. I just want to talk to you and get to know you.” He waited for Reuben to sit, folding his long legs beneath him. “So. You’re coming with us to Jerusalem. It’s settled. Now we need to find the best task for you as a Levite. Everyone has a place and a job in God’s kingdom. What are you good at doing? Tell me about yourself.”

  “I’m sure my uncle already told you all about me.”

  “Yes, and unfortunately it wasn’t complimentary. He said you were a troublemaker and a thief. Is that true?”

  “I had to steal. Abba died a hero, saving us, and my family had no way to live. I’m his oldest son. I did what I could.” Reuben was quiet a moment, then added, “I’m sure my uncle didn’t tell you the whole truth, though. He stole Abba’s blacksmith shop from me and sold it to someone else. It was my inheritance, and he refused to help me buy it back!”

  “He stole it? Your family didn’t get paid for it?”

  “We got money to live on, but he had no right to sell it!”

  “How old were you then, Reuben?”

  “Thirteen.”

  Ezra tugged his beard as he searched for words. “I can imagine how much you missed your father. My brother Jude died in the war, too. I’ve missed him every day since. I took over his responsibilities, caring for his family and working in his place, but I was fortunate to be an adult. I had a way to earn an honest living. Who knows what any of us might do if we were in your situation.”

  Reuben’s chin trembled with emotion, but he didn’t speak.

  “But there’s no longer any reason to steal, is there?” Ezra waited until Reuben shook his head. “Good. Because that’s one of God’s Ten Commandments. I’ll be happy to teach you the other nine, along with all the laws and rules we talked about yesterday. You don’t need to learn them all at once, of course. We can start with the basic ones. It’s going to be a long journey, after all, so we’ll have plenty of time to talk along the way. Would that work for you?” He waited until Reuben nodded. “Now, tell me what you like to do, Reuben. What are you good at doing?”

  “Fighting. Doing whatever it takes to survive. I’m not afraid of anyone.”

  “You should be a guard, then. One of the Levites’ duties is to stand guard in the temple. Will that suit you?”

  “I would like that.” He managed a smile, and he was a good-looking young man when he did. But anger seemed to seethe inside him like a carefully tended furnace.

  “I noticed you were camping by yourself, Reuben. Why is that?”

  “I don’t want anything to do with my uncle.”

  “Go get your things, then. You’re welcome to camp alongside my family and me. You’ll find my wife an excellent cook.” Ezra knew she was listening.

  Reuben’s angry frown softened. “Thank you.”

  Ezra removed the kippah from his head and handed it to Reuben. “How about if you start with this? You’re one of us now.”

  “Why do men have to wear these?”

  “It’s a symbol of humility and our submission to the Almighty One, a reminder that He’s always watching over us.”

  Reuben nodded his thanks but walked away without putting the head covering on.

  Devorah came out of their tent as soon as Reuben left. “You were right,” Ezra told her. “Thank you for convincing me to give him a second chance. I took your advice and showed him mercy, and I think I really reached him. I’m going to teach him to follow God.”

  Devorah didn’t return his smile. “You’re going to teach him, Ezra?”

  “Yes.” She shook her head again, hands on her hips. “What now? I thought you were on this young man’s side?”

  “I am. But you can’t change his heart. Only God can do that.”

  Ezra watched in stunned silence as she went back inside the tent. He had expected her approval and praise. Now he felt totally perplexed. Would he ever understand this wife God had given him?

  Chapter


  40

  JERUSALEM

  Amina stood in the temple courtyard, watching the joyful thanksgiving procession as people presented their offerings from the wheat harvest. She was visiting Jerusalem with Jacob and his family for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and she never tired of watching the beautiful ritual. She closed her eyes, listening to the Levite choir as they sang, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Amina had taken refuge in the Almighty One and she was truly blessed.

  When the rituals at the temple ended late that afternoon, Amina walked with Jacob’s family to the home of Hodaya’s nephews, Joshua and Johanan, where they always stayed when they visited Jerusalem. The men were priests, sons of a famous prophet and man of God named Zechariah. Their home, built of uncut stones with a sprawling central courtyard, perched on the ridge high above the Kidron Valley. Amina loved rising early to help prepare breakfast whenever she visited and watching the sunrise over the Mount of Olives. She was helping prepare dinner for the last evening of the celebration when Johanan returned home with exciting news.

  “We’ve just received word,” he said, “that the king of Persia has allowed our fellow Jews still in exile to immigrate home to Judah. Their leader is Ezra ben Seraiah, a descendant of several important high priests in Solomon’s temple. He’s bringing dozens more priests and Levites with him to serve along with us.”

  “More settlers?” Jacob said. “That’s wonderful news. We’ve been outnumbered by the Gentiles for much too long. Maybe with more manpower we can finally stop the spread of Edomite people into southern Judah.”

  Amina felt her face grow warm at the mention of her people. But Jacob didn’t even glance at her, as if he’d long forgotten her origins.

  “When do you think the new settlers will arrive?” his wife, Rivkah, asked.

  “According to the letter we received, they already left Babylon,” Johanan replied. “A letter travels much faster than a caravan with thousands of people. We can probably expect them in three or four months, certainly before the fall feasts.”