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March 22, 2006
Putting a human face on two women from the Old Testament
Did she cry over sentimental words? Did he like to hum a favorite song? What kinds of things made our heroes ordinary? We may never know, but it's nice to imagine that historical people were just like us. In the new novel "Seven Days to the Sea" by Rebecca Kohn, two women of the Bible fight with the kinds of emotions that we all face. When she was a girl in Goshen, Miryam loved to go to market and gossip with other women there. She liked to feel important, and she was happy when others asked her opinions. Because she was in love with a well-respected man in the village, Miryam always thought that she'd be betrothed and have many sons. That is, until the day that a bright light shone on Miryam, and she saw that a miracle would occur. A boy-child would be born to her mother, and he would lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Miryam told only her family of the vision, even after the child's birth fulfilled the first of the prophecy. At that time, a decree from Pharaoh mandated that all male babies of Israel be put to death. Trusting the God of Israel, Miryam conspired to have Pharaoh's daughter find and adopt the baby, whom the princess named Moses. Miryam, meanwhile, shunned the man she loved in order to devote her life to watching over Moses. Years later, when he displeased Pharaoh and was forced to wander into the desert, Moses made his home in a small village in Midyan. There, he found favor with Yitro, high priest and leader of his clan. Moses also became smitten with Tzipporah, shepherdess and daughter of Yitro. Although it took some convincing, Tzipporah fell in love with the tall stranger who refused to speak of his past. When the second part of Miryam's prophecy was coming to pass, Moses led his wife and child to Goshen. There, he reunited with Miryam and his birth family. But while Miryam was overjoyed to see her brother, she was not happy to see his uncouth wife. Miryam thought Tzipporah was wild, and she was jealous of the younger woman. What could Moses possibly see in this girl who preferred to sleep in the stable? Tzipporah was confused. Moses loved his sister and valued her opinions. Why was Miryam so hateful? I liked this book so much you could have knocked me over with a papyrus reed. Author Kohn breathes reality into two relatively minor Biblical women, and offers rich detail in describing the times in which they lived. I particularly liked that Kohn gives Miryam some un-Biblical-like, yet human, emotions. Kohn's Tzipporah could be a role model for women learning to be strong. If you are a student of the Bible and want to read a book that brings the Old Testament to life, then pray you don't miss "Seven Days to the Sea." Schlichenmeyer reviews books for the Pahrump Valley Times from her home in Wisconsin. |
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