Lioness: Mahlah's Journey Read online

  Noah feigned being asleep and rested a hand on Mahlah’s shoulder.

  Jeremiah backed away, nodding his approval. He motioned for the boy to follow.

  “Toda raba,” Noah whispered, facing away from Jeremiah. She propped the jar on her shoulder. “He was flapping his hands so much I thought he would fly away.”

  “He cares, sister.” Mahlah glanced at Reuben who continued his escort. “Be grateful.”

  “I am. Most of the time.” Her sister marched between Mahlah and Reuben. The clay vessel on her shoulder was a wall forbidding Mahlah to glimpse Reuben’s face.

  Reuben had thought of her while away warring with the Amorites. Was it true yearning or loneliness for a woman? Any woman.

  When they rounded the path toward their tents, excited voices filled the night. Crying. Happy wailing. Prayers to God.

  Nemuel waited outside his tent. Susanna lounged on a stone near the tent flap. A small fire crackled in the cooking pit.

  This night, the smoke and ash strangled Mahlah’s breaths.

  Susanna shrieked when they came into view. “Praise be to our God.”

  Her friend ran and embraced her son. Nemuel almost hopped the distance to Reuben.

  Basemath and Jonah emerged from the tent.

  Jonah scrubbed a fist over his eye. He stood motionless.

  Surely, he hadn’t forgotten his father? Sleep must still shadow his memories.

  Go on, Jonah. Run to your father.

  And as if he had heard Mahlah’s silent instruction, Jonah sprinted, chubby legs charging toward his father.

  Reuben lifted his son. Holding him high, he laughed, large and boisterous.

  “My son, you have grown.” Reuben wrapped his arms around his boy like a blanket.

  “Did you ever see such a sight?” Noah lowered her jar. “I believe our elder may dance.”

  “We should all dance. I shall wait some, though.” Laughter rippled from her own lips. How could she not enjoy this reunion?

  Even though he was held fast in his father’s arms, Jonah turned his face toward her.

  “Mah.” He reached for her, his fist opening and closing.

  That was not her full name.

  It came again. “Mah.”

  Pressure built behind her eyes. She could not fight the onslaught of tears. One wet traitor slipped over her lid and trailed down her cheek. She was not Jonah’s mother. But oh, how she wished she could be.

  She waved her hands to keep Jonah in Reuben’s embrace. She ignored the pulse of pain behind her eyes and forced an elated grin.

  “Your father is home, Jonah. He wants to spend time with you. I will see you in the morning.”

  Her sisters spilled from their tent. They glanced from her to Noah. Their noses wrinkled in confusion.

  Mahlah sniffed and headed to their tent straight away. She had no greeting. No explanation. Nothing.

  Hoglah held the flap open. “What is wrong? You have been gone a while.”

  From inside the tent, Noah said, “I think she cares too much.”

  36

  Sleep did not find Mahlah in the darkness of her tent. Her eyes burned from staring at the tiny bursts of moonlight filtering onto her mat from the stitched seams above. Both her eyes watered. Not solely the right. When was the last time her eye had faltered?

  Tirzah nestled on one side of her and Milcah lounged on the other. The heat from their bodies was enough to roast an entire ram. A slight snore gurgled from Milcah’s throat.

  Noah and Hoglah each slept silently on the other side of the tent.

  Mahlah’s heart sped at every remembrance of those wicked spies snatching her sister. What would have become of Noah had she not gone in search of the shepherdess? And what had Reuben said about missing her company? Or was it the land he was talking about? Her mind spun with all the events this eve.

  A chill bathed Mahlah’s arm. She tilted her head. The bruising ache in her chest did not rage as she rolled onto her side.

  Tirzah crouched near the tent flap, her ear pressed to the ramskin.

  “Is it time to collect manna?” Mahlah squinted harder at the small seam openings.

  “Someone’s outside the tent.” Tirzah’s excited whisper caused Hoglah to stir.

  “Someone’s always outside the tent.” Hoglah rolled on her back. “Go to sleep.”

  “He’s pacing,” Tirzah said.

  Noah opened her eyes. “How do you know it’s a he?”

  Tirzah crawled closer to her sisters. “I hear the crunch of pebbles.”

  Was Jeremiah concerned about Noah? He did not want to leave her last night after the attack.

  “Maybe it’s Jeremiah.” Mahlah braced herself and sat. Milcah snuggled closer to her warmth without opening an eye. “He felt responsible for sending Noah alone to the well.”

  “But I hear mumbling.” Tirzah crossed her arms.

  This stranger had piqued her sister’s interest. The hope of Tirzah rejoining her on the mat was void.

  Hoglah blew out a grumbling breath. “There is one way to find out who it is. Open the flap.”

  Mahlah rose like a withered grandmother and grasped the ties. No one would get anymore sleep if she didn’t calm Tirzah’s fears.

  Tirzah crawled next to Mahlah and gripped her arm. She stared wide-eyed at the opening and stiffened as if ready to pounce on the intruder.

  “Noah and I fought off spies, little one.” She unlaced the bottom closures. Cool air bathed her covered knees. “I believe we can handle a single man in the middle of the tents of Manasseh.”

  Mahlah peered out. Her heart spasmed sending a low ache across her ribs.

  A man was pacing near the opening. A man she recognized immediately from his swagger and his stature.

  “Reuben?”

  What was he doing outside her tent?

  Tirzah crowded her face cheek-to-cheek with Mahlah’s between the flaps.

  “Did you bring any gifts?” Tirzah giggled. “We are fond of melons.”

  37

  Mahlah scrambled to her feet. She stood barefoot in the dirt facing the man she had dreamed about for years. The soil was cooler, softer than she realized, but she would not leave to gather her sandals. She had taken root in his presence. Her nerves had her heart at an all-out gallop, so much so, her cheeks pulsed with every beat. They should not be out in the dark alone. Well, with the eyes of Tirzah bearing down like a hawk on Reuben’s every shuffle, they had an ever-alert chaperone.

  “Is something wrong?” It had to be. What other reason could there be for him to seek her out in the dark of night? She licked her lips and waited. Her mind flung random thoughts on the mischievous breeze.

  Reuben rubbed his jaw and stepped closer. His eyes sparkled under the ample moon. He glanced toward the tent flap.

  The opening to her tent was cluttered with amused and curious faces.

  Chastising her sisters to go inside would stir whining and protests. Their grinning lips were at least closed. So much for sleeping.

  “I didn’t get to finish what I was saying earlier.” He cast a glance at her sisters. “I tried to put it off until morning, but I am too restless.”

  What had he said? She envisioned their walk back to camp. He had thought of her. And Jonah. He had thought of the land. Did he wish to stay east? Settle in the land of the Amorites?

  “I missed you.” He slid his fingers down the hair framing her face. One slip and she would feel his touch on her lips. “More than I should have.” His confession rumbled deep in his chest and caught in his throat. “I have not noticed what has been right in front of me.”

  The sweep of his hand, rough, yet gentle as a morning dove, sent a wave rising in her belly. She should push him away, but she leaned closer to feel his breath and not miss a single word from his mouth.

  This couldn’t be happening. Not in front of the tent she had staked since a girl. Why now? Why not before when he accepted another woman as his wife? The ache in her ribs couldn’t compare to the ac
he that consumed her when Reuben had taken a wife into his tent.

  “Were you lonely at war?” That had to be the reason he came to her with such a burning need. Her lips trembled. His thumb was but a hair-width from her mouth, still, yet waiting.

  “I was.” His gaze held hers. “Lonely to be a father to Jonah. Lonely, in wanting to be a husband again.”

  And she was an easy match. A woman older than most and with land bestowed. A double-portion of land since her father was the firstborn of Hepher. But she had responsibilities to her family, to her sisters. She couldn’t leave them alone.

  He tipped her chin. “You are too quiet. The woman I know would be telling me all that happened while I was away. Before she fought off spies.”

  His freshly bathed scent swept her toward the stars. “I am in a daze.”

  His strong-jaw smile mesmerized her. “Let me wake you.” He caressed her cheek. “Be my wife. Lay beside me when I return from fighting. Allow me to comfort you when others slander your good name. I will defend you like I have before and challenge any man who dares utter your name with contempt.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “I have waited so long.” She touched his hand and withdrew it from her skin. “I have thought of you every day since you left.” Her heart struggled to beat through her grief. Wetness flooded her cheeks. “But now I fear it may be too late. I promised my mother that I would take care of my sisters. I cannot ask you to take on my responsibilities.” No matter how she tried to stop the flow of tears and be the straight-backed, broad-shouldered eldest daughter, she failed. “I am the firstborn of my father.”

  “I know. I have lived alongside the daughters of Zelophehad all my life.” He wiped the tears clinging to her chin. “Be with me, Mahlah.”

  The stars in the night sky blurred through her tears. How could she leave her sisters with a fortress looming on the horizon and warring nations all around?

  She cast a glance at her sisters. She knew everything about them. The wave of their hair. Every amber hue in their eyes. When one would bicker, and another would fall silent. She opened her mouth, but her voice fled.

  “I need a moment with my sister.” Noah stomped from the tent. She waggled her eyebrows at Reuben. “I am sorry to interrupt again. Wait here and do not move.”

  Noah pushed Mahlah into the tent. Her sisters jumped backward, parting like the River Jordan.

  “Why are you standing there like a mute,” Noah asked. “I would have leapt into his arms by now.”

  Tirzah chuckled as she closed the tent flap.

  “Do not heed Noah’s advice, little one.” Pressing a hand to her chest, she turned toward Noah. “I promised our mother I would take care of you. How can I leave you now in this new land?”

  Noah shook her disheveled ringlets. “Where do you think we are going? We have lived down the path from Reuben all of our lives. Besides, Hoglah can manage our tent.”

  “I have been feeding you for more than two years now.” Hoglah rubbed Mahlah’s shoulder. “There have been few complaints.”

  “Save your own.” Noah smirked.

  “Why don’t we set up three tents?” Milcah stretched her arms toward the tip of the tent. “You and Reuben can live between his family and ours. When he is off fighting, you can sneak and sleep with us.”

  “With Jonah,” Tirzah added, leaning on Mahlah’s hip.

  “You cannot be around every one of us all the time.” Noah cupped Mahlah’s face. “God has watched over us. The One True God will not forsake us. You have taught us that, and you believe it to be true.”

  “I do.” Fresh tears threatened to spill. She adored the touch of her sister’s slightly calloused hands.

  “You cannot refuse this offer of marriage because of us.” Noah squeezed Mahlah’s cheeks. “I won’t let you.”

  “And if someone asks for my hand or Noah’s?” Hoglah swatted their shepherdess. “I will send Tirzah and Milcah into your tent to sleep.”

  Mahlah held out her arms for her sisters to gather. She embraced their warmth and breathed in the soft scent of myrtle from their skin. The ache in her side engulfed her whole body.

  “You are always welcome in my tent,” Mahlah whispered.

  Noah eased away. “We have our land and each other. Nothing will ever change that.”

  “No. Nothing will ever change that.” Mahlah gazed into each of her sister’s eyes. “Ever.”

  Milcah blew out a shuddered breath. “We will go forth with God.”

  Moses had challenged Mahlah with those same words. She smiled through quivering lips.

  “And nothing will ever change that.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” Noah flung open the tent flap.

  Reuben consumed the entrance to her tent. Her Reuben. His eyes glistened in the moonlight. The boy she had chased over hill upon hill was now chasing her and desiring to be her husband. Her heart soared to the highest star.

  “I’ve heard everything through the ramskin. An extra tent can be arranged. And more tents as our family grows, for I will fight for you and your sisters to inherit all your father’s land.” He arched a brow and when his gaze met hers, it could have set a sparrow to sing. “And if it pleases my future sisters-in-law, I would like to enter your tent.” His lips curved, harnessing a grin. “There are some things that need to be done in private.”

  38

  Mahlah’s knees almost gave way as Reuben strode toward her. This had to be a dream. Her bones became weightless as a feather. The smallest puff could have sent her wafting toward the heavens.

  “Reuben? You are entering a tent of unmarried women. Is this wise?”

  “I’ve been waiting many days to give you a kiss.” His gaze captivated her as he drew closer. “Shall I do it on the path and stir more gossip?”

  “It is dark outside,” she mumbled.

  “It is dark in here.” He tipped her chin.

  Shushed giggles filled the shadowed night.

  “Sisters, face the side of the tent.”

  On tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his and then tried to pull away. His strong arms held her to his chest. He deepened their kiss. Her body awakened as if from a long trumpet blast. All the years of loving him were made right in this simple expression of his love.

  Whatever the future held for her, she would face it with her God and her family. Her new family. Her growing family.

  She broke his kiss and settled on her feet, her hand covering her lips. The touch of him still lingered. Forceful, yet smooth and gentle.

  She glanced at her sisters’ darkened forms and met the twinkle of eyes.

  “When did you turn around?”

  A shuffling sound at the tent flap interrupted her reprimand.

  Jonah crawled into the tent.

  “Me, too.” Hands raised, he opened and closed his fingers.

  Reuben lifted his son and kissed his cheek.

  “All this kissing,” Milcah huffed.

  “Jonah, come back here.” Susanna followed her grandson through the flap. “Oh.” She stifled a grin. “Is the asking over?”

  Basemath joined her mother. “She must have agreed if he’s inside their tent.”

  Noah stepped forward. Her breath tickled Mahlah’s ear. “We definitely need three tents. I’m not sharing a tent with Basemath.”

  Nemuel entered. Everyone shifted farther from the opening. “The way this family is growing, we’ll need to conquer a small city for land.”

  “No grum-ling.” Jonah leaned his head on his father’s shoulder.

  Mahlah pressed her lips together and glanced at Reuben.

  He laughed.

  She laughed.

  The giggling in the tent disrupted the calm of the night. Even Nemuel grabbed his belly and joined in the raucous laughter.

  Reuben, her betrothed, leaned forward to sneak another kiss.

  Jonah leaned in, too.

  All their cheeks met in the middle.

  Joy filled her being. Toda raba, Adonai.

/>   How blessed to be going forth into the Promised Land with God, a husband, a son, and the daughters of Zelophehad.

  A Note from Barbara

  I wish I had discovered the story of the daughters of Zelophehad many years ago, especially when I taught elementary school chapel. I don’t know how I missed the bravery of these orphaned girls during my read-through-the-Bible sessions. Perhaps it’s because they are first mentioned in lists of names—not the most exciting reading material. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah first appear in Numbers 26:33 and Numbers 27:1-11. You will find the restrictions put on their marriages in Numbers 36. They are also found in Joshua 17:3-6. They are not one hit wonders in Scripture.

  I admit, I was leery of writing a story with five characters even though Mahlah is center stage in this book. I hope each daughter touched your heart with their courage to change history. Their petition to inherit their father’s land was a bold ask of a male-dominated assembly. Since they were not married, they could have been younger than the ages of my characters. We don’t know how Zelophehad or his wife died. I thought the snakes in Numbers 21 would be an exciting and moving exit for Zelophehad.

  God takes care of the orphan and the widow (Exodus 22:22-23). He watched over Zelophehad’s daughters and blessed them, and other women, with the gift of land. I am so excited to bring the story of these wonderful girls to light.

  Thank you for reading my story which is really God’s story. The daughters of Zelophehad continue with Heavely Lights: Noah’s Journey and Claiming Canaan: Milcah’s Journey.

  May you go forth with God.

  A Sneak Peek at

  Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey

  1

  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~ James 1:17

  The camp at Gilgal

  In the Promised Land of Canaan

  Near the fortress of Jericho

  Noah bat Zelophehad tugged her donkey farther from the ramskin tents of her tribe of Manasseh and farther from the stone fortress of Jericho. In the distance, the walls of the Canaanite city rose up, up, up, above the lush plain. How would the army of Israel lay siege to a barricaded city? No one had gone in or come out of Jericho for several Sabbaths. If any of her tribesmen dared to draw near the gates, they would be struck with arrows and rock. Boiling oil awaited warriors who neared the city of the false moon god.