Two days later, Judith returned from an early morning trip to the spring with news of the arrival of Necho's caravan. She had met the servant who had delivered Necho's gift after Shemaiah's circumcision. Although their communication ability was limited, she managed to learn that the caravan had arrived the previous evening and set up camp nearby. They were located on the far side of the spring.

I took the news immediately to Tarebut. After some deliberation, she decided to apprise Necho of her presence by sending Judith with a message. She instructed Judith to say, "Master Necho, your devoted wife felt disloyal in requiring that you attend to the woman's job of arranging a wedding feast. During a time of such guilt, she arranged passage to Bethel with the caravan of a trusted friend. Please forgive her disobedience and allow her to join your caravan."

I smiled at the language she used to approach her husband. What man could be angry with a woman who had his own well being at heart. Both would know of Tarebut's underlying desire to be at the wedding. In her wisdom, however, she would allow him to save face.

Much to my surprise, Judith returned with Abram and a camel. Necho had remained at camp to supervise the preparation of a comfortable place for Tarebut. Abram had insisted on welcoming his mother in person rather than having a servant sent to bring her. His love and respect for her were evident in their enthusiastic embrace. He assured her that Necho was pleased by her arrival. Judith chimed in with the information that his stern countenance had been unable to mask the twinkle in his eye.

Papa came and Judith served the men refreshment while I helped Tarebut to pack her things. With an exaggerated sigh and a smile, she said, "It is sad when a boy cannot keep his eyes away from another woman while he welcomes his mother after a long absence. It is evident that you have already engaged his affections. Your beauty has not spoiled you. Abram is fortunate to have such an unselfish and caring bride. I am certain Yahweh will bless your union as he has blessed mine. Thank you for seeing the man behind the handicap. Pity would have strangled what love Abram has for you. Your obvious respect will strengthen it.

With tears in my eyes, I responded, "I will do my best to live up to your high esteem of me. Abram is fortunate to have a wise mother who challenged him to overcome his handicap. He is so comfortable with it; I couldn't help but admire his adaptation."

After giving me a hug, Tarebut turned and took a square, ornate, wooden box from her things. Opening it, she revealed the necklace she had mentioned previously. Holding it out to me, she said, "I want to leave this with you. I trust you to make the right decision concerning when to wear it."

Taking the box, I stared in awe at the necklace nestled in the silk lining. Then I said simply, "Thank you. When I wear it, I will wear it with pride."

When Abram and Papa came in to get Tarebut's things, I held one bundle up to allow Abram to slide his arm under in order to get a good grip. When taking it, he deliberately covered my hand with his and squeezed before taking the bundle. Looking directly into my eyes he said quietly, "The only difficult thing I have left to do is wait."

At that moment, I knew exactly what Sheerah had meant when she described her feelings for Asher. My fingers seemed to be on fire and then the feeling spread until my all my nerves tingled. I was having trouble breathing. The world took on a bright quality; all my senses were heightened. I stood there for a minute in a trance, unable to command my feet to move. When I did follow the others out, it was as though in a dream. As I listened to Tarebut's thanks to Mama and Aunt Rachel, it was as though the sounds were filtered through cotton. I was unable to concentrate on anything but Abram. My eyes were magnetically drawn to him. No one else seemed to notice the magnitude of the moment. It was then that my admiration and respect for Abram was touched with the indefinable quality called love.

The next morning Necho came bringing with him the bride price. Even Papa was staggered by his generosity. He brought a flock of fat, almost blemish-free sheep. He had selected them individually during his winter sojourn. He also brought a flock of the finest black goats. Also Included were twelve brass mirrors with beautifully carved handles. None of us had ever seen a mirror. We had heard of wealthy foreigners having such objects, but to own one was unimaginable. Finally he presented Papa with an array of fine fabric ranging from wool to silk.

When Mama told me of Necho's gifts and of Papa's pride at their receipt, I felt it was a good time to question her about the necklace from Tarebut. I told her that Tarebut didn't want to slight Papa with the gift and had instructed me to wear it only if I felt he would approve.

Mama said, "You are right to consult me. I think I can convince him to let you wear the necklace. Will you let me take the necklace, and trust me to talk to your Papa?"

When I brought the necklace to Mama, she was impressed by its obvious value. Her reason for approaching Papa was twofold. She appreciated the sentimental request of Tarebut whom she had come to admire. She also wanted me to have something of such worth as part of my bridal attire. The security it represented was important to Mama.

Several days later I was called to Papa's tent. After telling me of the wealth I had brought to his family, he indicated a desire to share part of my bride's price. Laid out on his table were several objects. One by one he presented them to me. First he showed me a brass mirror and allowed me to examine it. He told me he had given one to each of his wives and his sons wives. The prettiest he had saved for the bride.

Several large spools of soft Wool were next. Asher had sheared some of the sheep from Necho, and Zilpah and Sheerah had spent the last few days making thread. He then lifted the edge of a piece of fabric saying, "I have kept out the silk for you. I know how much you like the fabric, and you are the only one who will live in a setting where you could wear it daily."

When I started to say something, he raised his hand and said, "There is one other thing." Reaching under the fabric, he took out a familiar wooden box. Opening it, he handed it to me while continuing, "Tarebut gave this to your mother as an unofficial part of the bride price. Leah thought she would have liked for you to have it, but didn't want to appear forward.

For your mother to relinquish such a valuable gift shows her deep love for you. She wants you to wear it on your wedding night. Although she didn't say it, I know she wants to provide some security for you in case another tragedy befalls you in a distant land. I too want you to be secure. Take these things and Judith as our gift to you. I wish I could give you happiness, a loving marriage, peace, and security. But those are things only Yahweh can provide."

Leaning toward Papa, I said, "You have given me the beginning of those things. You introduced me to Yahweh. These material things I will cherish, but even the necklace cannot provide better security than you have already given. Knowing Yahweh is the best security you could have provided. Thank you, Papa, for all of this. Thank you seven times over for teaching me of Yahweh's love."

Ill at ease with the emotional moment, Papa made as though to dismiss me and then said, "I almost forgot. The land I bought from Hamor will be set aside for Shemaiah. If he ever wishes to return from Egypt, the land will be waiting. In a sense it is a legacy from both his father and his grandfather."

He waved away my thanks, telling me gruffly that I was free to go. As I left, I smiled at Mama's little charade. Evidently Papa's shrewdness had not been lost on her. I regretted the small deceit she had played, but not enough to spoil the results. I would wear Tarebut's treasure with Papa's blessing.

On my wedding day, I was shut up in the back of the tent to prepare myself. Mama, Zilpah, Judith and Sheerah set up the bathing tub and helped to prepare me. My body was scrubbed once, but extra care was taken with my hair. It was scrubbed with salt and then rinsed with lemon. Then it was rubbed with oil and left for some time before it was washed and rinsed again. The result was a beautiful sheen. I hated the idea of having to cover it as soon as I arrived at the feast.

After my cleansing, I was left alone to rest. I lay on my pallet and talked to God. I could not express my appreciation for His mercy often enough. I knew I had done nothing to deserve His loving guidance. Being enveloped in His love gave me a peace I couldn't explain. I knew without a doubt that Yahweh had orchestrated my wedding to Abram. Why He had chosen to bless me, I could not understand. I could only worship Him and tell others of His love.

My prayer was ended by Sheerah's return. Sinking down beside me, she said,"I had to sneak back early. I wanted to see you alone. I am so glad Abram loves you and can accept your past. I want to be sure you too are happy. Do think you can learn to love him?"

Smiling I said, "I think I am beginning to learn something about love. My admiration and respect of Abram must have laid a foundation. The other day when Abram came to pick up his mother our hands touched momentarily. What I felt then was similar to how you felt when Asher kissed you. When he touched me before, I felt the same way I feel when Simeon touches me. I imagine this new feeling is only one small part of love, but it's a beginning."

Hugging me, Sheerah said, "I am so glad. You are right; love is more than a feeling. Asher and I share much more than a mutual excitement in the other's presence. I can't explain all the elements of love, but admiration and respect are certainly part of love. I suspect the excitement would die quickly if it wasn't based on something deeper."

Then laughing, she continued, "I sound like I speak with the wisdom of white hair, but I've only been married a few months. We'll have to have this conversation again in twenty years. In the meantime I have something to help you remember me during those years of separation." Removing a ring from her right hand, she placed it on my right finger. "Mama gave it to me when I became a woman. She would have given you something as beautiful had you married into our family. But that isn't why I want you to have it. The emerald on the ring has always reminded me of your eyes. This ring is a symbol of our love and friendship. It is one of the few things I have to give you that is truly mine. It is not a result of the generosity of your family."

Smiling through tears, I embraced Sheerah. "I will cherish it always. I could never forget you, but this will be a constant reminder. When I am tempted to be petty and unforgiving, it will reproach me, bringing to mind your forgiving spirit."

Soon the others returned bringing a small snack with them. It would never do for a bride to faint on her wedding night. As we ate, we reminisced. The stories of everyone's wedding nights filled the time. Suddenly the time for Abram's arrival approached. Judith and Zilpah arranged my hair, artistically weaving Mama's pearls into my locks.

I applied a faint touch of the eye paint. Even Mama had to admit it was becoming, but so subtle that Papa might not notice. The yellow dress fit perfectly. The girdle fashioned from twisted strands of green, yellow and orange brought out the embroidered flowers I had sewn around the hem and scattered at random across the skirt. Flowers also trimmed the headpiece and a short veil. The shortness of the veil was designed to allow my Egyptian necklace to be seen. The armband given me by Abram and his and Sheerah's rings completed my attire.

I didn't have long to wait before the announcement of Abram's arrival. When he entered, we stood in silence facing one another. The others present ceased to exist for that moment. Abram's rich robe and headpiece were impressive, as were his jeweled armbands. What caught my attention was neither of those. It was the love and tenderness in his eyes that held me captive.

Finally stepping forward, Abram broke the spell with the words, "Yahweh has created no one more beautiful. I am a fortunate man." Offering me his stub, he said with his whimsical smile, "You will have to hold onto my damaged arm. I will need my good hand to carry the torch."

Taking the proffered arm, I murmured teasingly, "Yahweh had to take away your hand. Only He is allowed to be perfect."

Laughing, he led me from the tent. We were the center of merriment, singing and dancing all the way from our camp to Necho's. Many of those along the way, I did not recognize. Abram told me they were merchant friends of his father who had chosen to be near Bethel so they could attend the feast. It seemed to me more people were on the plain outside the city than lived inside.

After we were seated and my hair covered, Necho stood and offered a benediction, "May the Lord, God make this woman who is coming into our home fruitful like Eve whom God chose to people the earth."

Papa added his benediction,"May you be like your ancestress Rebekah who left her home to marry the man Yahweh had chosen for her. May you, Abram, achieve great wealth and become famous in both Egypt and Canaan."

These blessings are what I remember best about the wedding feast. The revelry afterwards left little impression. My memory is a whirling mass of strange faces mixed with the familiar, delicious food, fragments of riddles, music and good wishes. Through it all I felt the reassuring pressure of Abram's fingers encircling my small hand.

Finally the women came and led me out. I was taken to a tent some distance from the main camp. Inside the light from a small oil lamp illuminated a bed placed in the center. On one side was Aunt Rachel's camel saddle. On the other was a small leather table set with a bowl of fruit. The tent obviously served one main purpose. Missing were the familiar cooking utensils and grain sacks. Momentarily I panicked, wishing for the familiar surroundings with all of the comfortable daily objects. This bare tent made me aware that my home was no longer here, but somewhere distant. I felt like a guest in a strange inn.

After the others left, Judith removed my headpiece and veil. After skillfully removing the pearls, she began to comb my hair while singing softly a familiar psalm. The words relaxed me reminding me of the peace of Yahweh. When she left, I was no longer apprehensive.

Soon Abram was thrust into the tent by joking companions. While they stood outside shouting encouragement, he came and knelt in front of the saddle where I still sat. Taking my hand, he said, "We have plenty of time. What we do in here needn't be what they expect. I know you must have painful memories. I will not push you. I love you, Dinah. I want you to be ready when we consummate our marriage."

Quietly, I slid from the saddle and knelt in front of Abram. Looking into his eyes, I said, "I, too, love you, Abram. There are no ghosts here tonight. I want for us to experience our love in the way God planned."

Pulling me close, Abram's lips found mine. The fire released was all his earlier touchhad promised.

Epilogue

The union of Dinah and Abram was a long and fruitful one. They were blessed with both sons and daughters. Necho continued to bring word from Dinah's family, but Abram preferred to stay home. Not until Shemaiah was of an age to marry did Abram travel to the land of his in-laws.

A year after Dinah's arrival in Egypt, she received word of two births. Sheerah gave birth to a girl child whom she named Michal. Rachel gave birth to a son, Benjamin.

Dinah's joy in the news was tempered by word that Rachel had died in childbirth. Neither child was to meet Dinah until years later. Michal became the wife of Shemaiah and joined Dinah's family in Egypt. Benjamin journeyed to Egypt with his family after Joseph gained prominence as Pharoah's second in command.

Dinah and Abram were unaware of Joseph's presence in Egypt until Necho brought news of her family's arrival. By that time, Dinah was a grandmother. Her grandchildren were only a few years younger than Joseph's children. Her granddaughter married Manasseh, Joseph's first-born. When the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land, Manassah and his wife were among the immigrants.

So the seed of Dinah returned to Canaan. Unknown to her, the name despised by her brothers returned to the family. Manasseh's grandson was named Shechem.