Woman of Clay by Linda Caddick

Author:Linda Caddick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: forgiveness, jesus, christian romance, biblical fiction, spiritual fiction, inspirational fiction, christian historical fiction, christian womens fiction, healing emotional wounds
Publisher: Linda Caddick

Chapter 17

THERE WAS NOW no chance of finding anything to eat; the journey took the party of travellers through an uninhabited area of endless dips and rises over rocky terrain. Other than the fruit they had bought in the morning, they had not eaten a good meal for almost two days. By now Shana’s stomach burned with hunger. Another steep hill loomed before them – an impossible hill – and still no sign of civilisation. After climbing steadily for an endless time, they reached the summit and were rewarded by a magnificent sight. A host of peaks and valleys tumbled down towards a great bald plain, hundreds of feet below. The afternoon sun formed indigo patterns in the crumpled hills and highlighted a large town overflowing the slopes of a plateau. The travellers pressed on eagerly, spurred on by their empty stomachs.

When they reached the well on the outskirts of the town, the Rabbi sat down and sent the rest of them on into the town to buy food. Dust and sweat had etched grimy streaks down his cheeks, and his shoulders sagged beneath the thin cloth of his robe. He looked thoroughly spent. He often slipped away in the night when the others were sleeping, to spend time in prayer, so perhaps he was seeking some precious solitude now to refresh himself.

The town was a close-knit, rough-edged community of Samaritan farmers. The travellers approached tentatively, mindful of the hostility that seethed between Jew and Samaritan. However, it soon became apparent that they were being received with passive indifference so they proceeded to the market. The food merchants did not engage in the Jewish custom of haggling over prices but quietly stated their non-negotiable terms and handed over the goods with a dismissive nod. Their manner, proud but not arrogant, commanded respect in a matter-of-fact way.

When the entourage returned with their purchases, they were surprised to find the Rabbi talking to a Samaritan woman, who must have gone to fetch water. She left her water jar at the well and started running back towards the town in a state of great excitement, calling out to them breathlessly, “That man is a prophet. He has just told me everything about myself! I’m going to fetch my friends; please don’t leave before we come back.”

The group sat down around the well to eat, hungrily tearing chunks off the bread and passing it around. The Rabbi declined the offer, even though the disciples urged him.

“I have food to eat that you know nothing about," he said, leaving them mystified once again. "My food is to do the will of him who sent me.” He did not explain, but by now Shana had come to expect that, if she listened with her heart, ambiguous statements such as these would often become meaningful later on.

Before long a group of Samaritan women came hurrying down the trail, chattering excitedly. Some stepped forward, staring curiously at the Rabbi and asking questions. Others hung back at first, uncertain

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