Miriam by Mesu Andrews

Author:Mesu Andrews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2016-03-15T04:00:00+00:00

—EXODUS 8:16

Eleazar stood under the penetrating stare of Egypt’s king, using every shred of restraint not to scratch the burning, itching bites that covered his body. Pharaoh used no such restraint. He sat on his throne scratching his arms and legs and neck and abdomen as he questioned Eleazar. “Do you know these Hebrews, Moses and Aaron?”

“Yes, my king.” Eleazar’s voice echoed loud in the empty throne hall. He prayed they wouldn’t press him further.

“Are they responsible for this infestation of biting midges?” Prince Kopshef shouted the question in Eleazar’s right ear.

Eleazar paused, forming his answer carefully. “I saw Aaron strike the dust of the ground with Moses’s staff, and the dust became biting gnats.”

“There, that’s how you do it.” Pharaoh extended his flail toward Kopshef. “Take one of your magic rods and strike the dust.”

“I’ve tried that, Father.” Kopshef looked to the other magicians for support, but they merely bowed their heads, defeated.

Pharaoh’s fury turned to quiet rage—a condition far more lethal. “Are you telling me that none of Egypt’s gods can overpower this Yahweh?”

Kopshef’s typical arrogance was suddenly replaced with trembling lips and hands extended like a beggar’s. “Jannes and Jambres have tried every spell and chant. I, too, have called on every god and dark spirit, but our magic can’t duplicate this plague.” He left Eleazar’s side, ascended the steps of the dais, and bowed at his father’s feet. “This plague is the finger of the Hebrew god. Please, mighty Pharaoh, Keeper of Harmony and Balance, what harm would come of letting the Hebrews go worship this Yahweh of theirs?”

“No!” Pharaoh shouted, slamming his flail on the armrest again. “Am I the only one strong enough to stand against a god of slaves? Must my sons and officials whine like old women every time they endure hardship? Get out of my sight, all of you!”

Eleazar joined Prince Ram as they exited the throne hall. The prince leaned close and whispered, “If you know these Hebrews, then go back to Goshen and beg them to lift this plague. My wife and children are suffering, Eleazar.” The ebony doors closed behind them, and Ram grabbed Eleazar’s breast piece, jerking him to a halt, eyes pleading. “Make this stop, please.”

“I will try, my prince.”

Ram hurried away, rattled. He’d never spoken to Eleazar about his wife and children before. They talked only of weapons and battles and war. And when had Pharaoh’s second firstborn ever begged help from a Hebrew slave? He hadn’t even gloated over Kopshef’s failure to duplicate the miracle.

Eleazar felt a peculiar peace amid the turmoil. Not because he or his family had been spared the suffering. No. Doda, Taliah, and the others were as miserable as the Egyptians, but the fact that the Hebrew God had proven His power superior to other gods had given Eleazar a sense of inevitability. Not today, and perhaps not tomorrow, but someday and somehow Pharaoh would indeed let Israel leave Egypt. Though Yahweh had done nothing for Eleazar personally—He might even punish Eleazar for years of rebellion—this Hebrew God was powerful enough to make Prince Ram beg.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.