Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Insulted (07/11/24)
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TITLE: Lessons Under the Tamarisk Tree | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
07/17/24 -
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“Elke,” sneers Miriam, “what has God purchased for you lately?”
Others snicker at the slur on the meaning of my name.
“Nothing but trouble.” She kicks dirt in my stooped face.
“Obviously,” Sarah sweeps her arm up and down elegantly, pointing from my hunched back to my crooked feet, “Elke’s no better than a dog.”
“Woof!” she chortles sending the growing crowd into hysterics.
I turn and painfully stumble out of town to my only refuge: the Tamarisk tree.
It’s said King Saul rested under this tree as he was hunting David. It was here he spewed accusations on his army, insinuating they conspired against him.
Offended and insulted, Doeg the Edomite, slaughtered eighty-five priests and destroyed the town of Nob. He rained death and destruction on innocent people to avenge Saul’s hurt feelings.
I remember this story as I lean back into the ample shade. My jaw is clenched as I determine never to give in to the destructive trap of offence.
I have no room in my soul for bitterness. My bones are dry enough.
Whirling dust interrupts my thoughts. I peek out from behind my refuge. Two figures, blurred by the heat, are headed this way.
I shuffle around as they approach the tree, trying conceal my contorted shape. My broken body is a magnate for abuse. I can’t absorb another insult today.
Success. They continue into town.
The next day I’m invited to meet the two men who are followers of a Rabbi named Jesus of Nazareth. I’m told the rabbi sent his disciples to heal the sick and proclaim that ‘The kingdom of God has come near.’
I stay locked away refusing to attend their meetings. Hope is not on the menu of my life.
A knock at the door jars me from stagnant thoughts. I drag myself over to open it.
It’s Miriam.
I prepare myself for the onslaught of barbs.
She’s silent.
I lift my eyes catching my breath. Tears are running down her face and she’s trembling.
“Elke,” she gurgles, “may I come in?”
I open the door wider and wait as her perfect legs move gracefully into my tiny home. I gesture toward the small stool and take my usual place in the dirt.
“Why didn’t you come to the meetings?” She uses the sleeve of her silk dress to wipe the tears.
I’m silent.
“This Jesus….” her voice trails off in broken sobs, “I think… I know, he’s Messiah!”
I scoot backward on my hands and knees. The Messiah?
“But…” I stammer, “how do you know?”
“His disciples prayed for me in Jesus name,” she reaches toward me but I pull away.
“Elke,” she continues, “I’m healed!”
The sobs start again as she covers her face with her hands.
I don’t know how to process this version of Miriam.
“I…I didn’t know you were ill.”
“Not of body,” she drops to the floor and peers into my eyes, “of spirit.”
I can barely hold her gaze. The once mocking grey eyes are clear and full of light.
“There was something dark…” she shudders, “in me.”
Suddenly her face lights up in a smile, “but now I’m free!”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
She begins to sob again.
“Please forgive my cruelty toward you all these years.”
The sobs turn to wails.
I’m stunned, then incensed. How dare she waltz in here and blame some demon for the insults and abuse I’ve endured from her lips!
I feel temptation rising in me to pick up the stool and bash her head in.
Then I remember Doeg.
How I wish to run to my Tamarisk tree... instead, I close my eyes in prayer.
Finally the anger and hurt dissipate. I reach for her hand.
“I forgive you,” my voice breaks as tears fill my eyes.
She wails louder then embraces me. We sit in the middle of the dirt until sobs turn to deep breaths.
“Grab your cloak,” Miriam commands.
“Why?”
“Because we’re going to find Messiah.”
She gently helps me up, “I know He’ll heal you too.”
Dare I hope?
Then I remember another Tamarisk tree.
Under it God promised Abraham Messiah would come from his seed.
I grab my cloak.
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