My slumber was disturbed by the opening of the door. I lay tensely facing the wall hoping the servant would simply leave the wash basin. To my chagrin, the footsteps paused only momentarily when the basin was deposited and then continued toward the bed. I felt a hand laid lightly on my shoulder and then the voice of Sheerah said quietly, "Dinah, are you awake?"

Without turning I replied, "Yes, Sheerah, but please go away. I am too ashamed to face you."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she persisted, "But Shem asked me to take care of you. Even if he hadn't, I would want to help you. You and I wanted to be friends. I haven't changed, have you?"

Sitting up and turning to face her, I said, "Oh, Sheerah, I am so scared. I need a friend now more than ever."

Leaning over and giving me a tight hug, she responded, "I could kill my selfish brother. He should consider the consequences before he acts. I only hope he succeeds in his errand." Smiling she continued, "I think I would like having you for a sister‑in‑law."

Returning her smile, I said in relief, "I am so glad you don't hate me. But don't judge Shem too harshly. I was so shaken that my memory is clouded. I know there was pain and humiliation, but those receded when I looked into his eyes and recognized the underlying love. You must understand that all of my life I have dreamed of marrying a man who looks at me the way Papa does Aunt Rachel. These are not the circumstances I would have chosen, but it is worth the sacrifice." Sitting on the bed hugging Shem's robe, I finished, "Please don't let them send me home. I am afraid that if I leave here, I will never see Shem again."

Sheerah laughed, "There's not much chance of that. Under the circumstances it would be foolish for Shem to come in his finery to claim you as bride. No, I imagine they will make the arrangements while allowing you to remain as a guest until you are officially a member of the family. You had better get up and clean yourself. I'm sure that my mother will desire an audience with you once Papa has made a decision. I have brought a silk dress and robe for you as Shem suggested. He felt you might be more comfortable retaining your familiar tunic."

Urging Sheerah to stay, I arose and cleansed myself as best I could with such a small basin. As we chattered about inconsequential matters, I dressed in the soft silk dress. Allowing Sheerah to brush and braid my hair, I sat running my hand over the smooth cloth swinging my legs to feel the folds swish against my calves. With mock severity, Sheerah asked me to be still so she could complete her task. I had just donned the headpiece when there was a knock on the door. Sheerah admitted a maid who had come with a message from Shem's mother requesting that I come to her chamber. Dismissing the servant, Sheerah indicated that she would show me to their mother's room. Though I begged her to enter with me, she indicated that she could not.

Squeezing my hand, she whispered, "Her name is Donatiya. Don't be frightened; she is a sweet lady. I will provide moral support from the courtyard." Giving me a slight push in the direction of the door, Sheerah turned toward the center of the yard.

My hesitant knock was answered immediately by a soft voice saying only, "Enter." With head bowed, I entered slowly certain that I was an unwanted intruder. As I knelt humbly before Donatiya, I was surprised to hear, "Arise, daughter. You are welcome."' Rising slowly, I looked into a pair of sad eyes as their owner, continued, "I regret that we meet under these conditions. I am ashamed of my son. Can you forgive us?"

Uncertain of how to reply, I merely nodded. Evidently sensing my timidity, she did not press me but persisted, "Shem has confessed his deception. He and Hamor, my husband, have gone to explain the situation to your father. Shem wishes for you to remain as a guest under our roof until the wedding has been arranged. I want to know what your wish is in this matter. You have been sorely misused, and I do not want to incur further disgrace by holding you against your will."

Finally finding my tongue, I responded, "You are most gracious to disregard my fault in the matter. If I had not been disobedient all of this would not have happened. I would be glad to accept your offer of hospitality. I wish, though, that you would allow me to earn my stay by helping Sheerah with her daily chores. I would be uncomfortable as an idle guest."

Smiling, she extended her arms in welcome, embracing me and kissing me on both cheeks. Overcome with emotion, I said, "I do not deserve such generosity."

Donatiya responded, "It is an honor to have such an humble daughter. Your request will be granted. I will escort you to the rooftop room where you will abide. Perhaps tonight you would prefer to dine alone. A servant will bring your meal to your room. She will also see that you have all the necessities. Sheerah will come for you in the morning and introduce you to our household."

Alone in my room, I had time to ponder all that had transpired. As I gazed out the window toward the encampment, I wondered what turmoil my disappearance had caused. I hoped that Judith had not been punished when she returned alone. Imagining Mama's anguish and disappointment, I visualized her in sackcloth mourning my disgrace. I could picture Aunt Rachel's panic and unspoken guilt over her part in the escapade. I envisioned Papa saddened but resigned, seeing my misdeed as a character flaw passed to the second generation.

My greatest concern, however, was over the pain I had certainly inflicted on Simeon. Regretting that I was not there to calm him, I was afraid of the wrath that would surely consume him. I fervently prayed that Shem would not be present when Simeon heard of my humiliation.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Noting the shadows of evening beginning to fall, I assumed it was the maid with my meal. It wasn't until I smelled the rich aroma through the now open door, that I realized I was ravenous. Without turning from the window, I said, "Just leave the food there on the table."

A now familiar masculine voice replied, "With your permission, I would like to join you."

Turning slowly to face Shem, I countered, "Isn't that somewhat unusual? In our clan it is the custom for the men to dine before the women."

With the old impish gleam in his eye, he responded, "That is the custom in our tribe as well. You had better accept tonight. It may be your only opportunity." Nodding in the direction of the open door he concluded, "In case you're wondering, the door will remain ajar. You have nothing to fear from me prior to the wedding."

Approaching the table now laden with food, I murmured teasingly, "As you wish, master."

"I'm glad to see your sense of humor has returned," Shem stated. "I was afraid the wound to your character would take a long time to heal. I know it will take time to establish trust, but I am pleased that you are comfortable enough to joke. I do not deserve your easy forgiveness."

Looking directly at Shem, I responded, "Does the fact that I'm forgiving demean me in your eyes?" Without waiting for a reply I continued, "In my family, we live in the presence of a loving, forgiving God. We are taught from childhood that we are to emulate Yahweh in our forgiveness. I admit that this is not always easy.

In this case the force of your love was enough. You see, I have always desired to marry someone who cares for me. As a woman I knew I would have no say in my marriage. If you had not loved me, I might have tried to kill myself in these circumstances. As it is, your love has compensated for the disgrace. I hope I have not read too much into your previous statements."

Shem arose from his seat and knelt beside me laying his hand lightly on my knee. "My precious Dinah. Every time I see you and listen to you talk, I wonder at my good fortune. You are truly a remarkable woman. Be assured that I love you as much now as I did this morning. My only regret is that our relationship was conceived in deception. I promise to cherish the love you give, striving always to prove that I am worthy of your trust also."

Returning to his seat, Shem began to tell me the events of the afternoon. His father's wrath at Shem's misdeed had evidently been awesome. After pleading that his father do the honorable thing and arrange a marriage, he had to wait in suspense while his parents discussed the situation. Partly because of his mother's intervention, Hamor had eventually agreed to the marriage. Shem admitted that his favored place in his father's affections may have been jeopardized, but he hoped to win it back in the months after the wedding.

A servant was dispatched immediately with a message for Jacob. The messenger was instructed to tell him the King of Shechem would be coming to discuss with him his daughter Dinah who was currently at the palace. During Jacob's cross-examination, the servant was forced to reveal the reason for Dinah's continued presence at the palace. Controlling his anger, Jacob dismissed the servant. As he left, the servant had heard Jacob berate Leah for her seeming inattention to their daughter.

At Shem's insistence, Hamor took him to the meeting with Jacob. When they arrived, they found Jacob surrounded by six brawny sons. It was evident that Dinah's older brothers were barely containing their fury. Their malevolent glances in his direction made Shem wonder if it had been wise for him to accompany his father.

Acknowledging that Shem's action had been wrong, Hamor begged that the men be merciful in considering their proposal. He then explained to them, "My son Shem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife."(Genesis 34:8) He then buffered his plea with promises, "Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves. You can settle among us; the land is open to you. Live in it, trade in it, and acquire property in it."(Genesis 34:9‑10)

Afraid that his father's arguments would be insufficient, Shem interposed, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and I will give you whatever you ask. Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me this girl as my wife."(Genesis 34:11‑12)

Touched by his declaration, I interrupted the discourse, "I hope my family was not too hard on you, Shem. Surely your appeal softened their hearts."

"Evidently it did," he responded. "Your brother, the one called Simeon, suggested that your bride price be an act of faithfulness on our part. To show our sincerity, we have agreed to be circumcised and all of the town's males with us. This will restore our honor before your god and appease your family."

Puzzled, I questioned, "Are you sure it was Simeon? It is unlike him to swallow his anger so readily."

His affirmative answer left me feeling slightly uneasy as he continued his story. Hamor and Shem had proceeded directly to the city gate where they spoke to many of their fellow townsmen. Realizing the gravity of what they asked, Hamor had used his wits to persuade his subjects. Pointing out the numerous flocks and herds of Jacob, Hamor argued that by intermarriage, their city would be enriched. He also testified to the strength of the tribe's deity noting that all of the prayers for rain to Baal and his cohort Anath had been for naught. Jacob had prayed only once to the god he called Yahweh and rain resulted.

He urged them to allow the strangers to settle on the abundant land and to trade with the town. After plying them with these positive arguments, Hamor finally indicated to the men the condition of Jacob's sons.

"I hope it does not offend you that we used economic arguments to convince the citizenry. It is a painful thing we have asked of them," Shem ended.

"No, I am not offended," I replied. "Your father shows great wisdom in his presentation. I am only concerned that the price is more than you realize. Our children are circumcised at birth. With care the incision heals easily and the child prospers. I understand that for a grown man, the operation is much more serious. Occasionally an outsider wishes to become a believer in the one true God. For a male, acceptance is always preceded by circumcision. I have heard that men become gravely ill for several days afterward. Are the men of Shechem prepared to pay that price so their Prince can obtain a bride?"

"All of that has been taken into consideration," Shem responded. "The healers will be prepared to go house to house performing the deed tomorrow. Tonight there will be sacrifices to both Mot, our god of death, and Horon, the god of the plague and the nether world. We hope to appease them so that they will not use this opportunity to reduce our strength."

Then looking somewhat sheepish he continued, "Although I am the male, I must ask your help in a religious matter. I have seen the power of your God, and I am undergoing the rite which inducts one into His worship. Yet I know nothing of how to worship Him. Is there a ritual similar to the one your father led that I should perform to gain His favor?"

Frowning in concentration, I replied, "I'm not sure what to tell you. There are no objects to aid in the worship of Yahweh such as the likenesses of your gods. Much of the worship of Yahweh is done in private. A worshipper is encouraged to approach God personally on any matter that is of consequence in his life. We believe that Yahweh has a personal interest in all of his creations. What distinguishes Yahweh worship from the worship of all other gods is the exclusivity. Yahweh is the one true God. He does not allow those who worship him to worship other gods. He is the creator of all things and as such is all‑powerful."

Shem said, "You mean if I perform the sacrifices to Mot and Horon, your god will not listen to my petitions?"

"That is my understanding," I stated reluctantly.

His eyes saddened, he concluded, "Then my worship of Yahweh will have to wait. I cannot leave this matter in the hands of an unknown god."

Rising he led me to the window. Pointing westward he showed me the nearby temple where the rites would be performed. "You will be able to hear the incantations if the wind blows this direction," he said. "I must go now. Perhaps you could petition your god on my behalf." Squeezing my hand and smiling into my eyes, he turned and left.

The open windows allowed the evening breeze to enter my room. Just as Shem had said I was able to hear the eerie sounding chants coming from the temple. The sound filled me with a strange melancholy. Unbidden the memory of my last prayer to Yahweh intruded. Overcome with foreboding, I fell to my knees crying out to Yahweh.

I promised Him everything I could imagine, but the premonition of doom remained. Finally in despair, I cried out, "You don't even care. Because he hasn't the faith of Father, You will not listen to my prayers on his behalf." I concluded, "I cannot love a God whose wrath is so terrible. Instead of him adopting Your ways, I should embrace his gods whose fickleness I can at least understand." Sobbing abjectly, I threw myself upon the bed.