GISCHALA TO JERUSALEM CHAPTER TWELVE - Page 3

ON THE DAY of the wedding, when Miriam appeared as a bride, Saul felt pride. He thought his sister was surely the most beautiful person in Gischala. At one point, Hasham said to him, "When your mother was that same age, she was equally beautiful."

Immediately following the wedding and the celebration with friends and relatives, Miriam and Esrom entered the carriage bound for Jerusalem. It was only three days' time until the Feast of the Passover, and nothing could hinder them from attending. Benjamin and his family, with Hasham and his son Dan, would soon follow.

Many from the Gischala community assembled at Hasham's residence. It had been their custom in former years to travel together as a caravan of pilgrims. Some younger men whose parents already lived in Jerusalem joined the group, riding horses. Immediately Saul was drawn to a horseman named Mark. The two began to talk and Saul grilled him about the basics of horsemanship. Mark was pleased to be able to share his knowledge. He revealed that his father bred horses for the military and for private owners. He even had one set of stables near Tarsus. "I am taking this horse to the auction north of Jerusalem." He offered to let Saul ride the horse for part of the journey.
Saul asked his father if he would allow Mark to take his place in the Carruca and let him ride his horse.

"What do you think of that idea, Hasham?" Saul's father asked.

"If you have no objections," Hasham replied, "I believe he would be quite safe. Mark's father Johath would not give Mark an unruly horse to ride."

Saul was beaming with excitement as Mark helped him into the saddle. "His name is Faro," Mark said. "Just be sure you don't confuse the name with the Egyptian Pharaoh. His mother was a genuine Cilician, and the stallion that sired Faro was from Arabia."

The caravan led by Hasham's coach took the main commercial road that ran west of Galilee and continued south following the Jordan Valley. The first miles passed quickly. Each time Saul was asked if would like to return to the coach, he begged to stay mounted a little longer. He found that riding a horse was exhilarating. When they reached at water stop at Coreae, southwest of Shechem, Saul reluctantly returned to his seat in the coach.

From this point on, the road to Jerusalem was becoming ever more congested, with carts and caravans, horses and camels and asses. People of every station in life were travelling to Passover. Many were on foot, carrying large packs on their backs. In the carriage, Saul's parents were engrossed in conversation with Hasham. They had taken this same road to the Passover many years ago, and knew how long it would take. The journey had become, for them, part of their worship to God. Saul's father often said, "Things of true value must have a price."

Saul, ever impatient, sought to content himself by studying the landscape, and counting the tents pitched by pilgrims. He was especially intent on counting the black tents of cilicium. It told him something of the reach of his father's business in Tarsus. Added to the congestion was the ever increasing number of sheep and lambs for sacrifice. Some shepherds brought their sons to assist them. Many of them seemed too young to cope with their task of keeping the flocks or herds together.

After some hours on the road, Saul's mother Esther curled up against some cushions in the coach and went to sleep. Hasham smiled at Benjamin, nodding toward Esther.

"We will let her rest," Benjamin said. "The ship to Joppa, then by carriage to Gischala, plus all the excitement of our daughter's wedding, have been quite taxing. Now she will face a host of friends at the Passover, friends we have not seen for many years."

Hasham added, "And there will be many missing. I have often heard the more aged say, 'I wonder if this is my last trip to Jerusalem?'"

Turning to face Hasham, Rabbi Benjamin said, "I will never be able to say all that I feel in my heart. You have done so much for our family. From the day Esther wrote you about the young Roman named Marcus who was coming too often to our home in Tarsus, I prayed God would help Miriam find a husband of our own faith. You were directed by God to arrange her meeting with Esrom. Your kindness, Hasham, knows no limit. I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you for all your thoughtfulness, sending the carriage and driver to Tarsus for Miriam, sending Phineas your servant, and Dan, your son, to Joppa to pick us up and take us to your home for the wedding. And now, taking us to your sister's home in Jerusalem. I have tried to give you money, but the last time you said you would be disappointed if I forced you to accept it. Love, like a river, Hasham, has a marvelous way of finding its course. If I fail to pay my debt of love, perhaps Saul will pay our debt of love to you. If not today, some day."

As evening fell, the caravan approached the north gate of the city of Jerusalem. Sunset warmed the stone walls and buildings with a pink glow. Saul remarked, "Look at the amazing piles of wood. Look at the long rows piled higher than the carriage."

"It is the wood market," explained Saul's father. "The wood is needed for the daily sacrifices."
Suddenly the carriage moved to the side of the road and stopped to let Roman soldiers pass. "They are heading for the barracks on the other side of the market," remarked Hasham. "This probably means the Fortress of Antonia, which lies directly ahead, is already full. There is always a greatly increased number of Roman soldiers brought into the city at the time of the Passover. Members of the 12th Legion often stationed at Caesarea are brought to Jerusalem to strengthen the normal reserves. The Tower or Fortress of Antonia is always filled first, because riots and violence most frequently erupt in the precincts of the Temple. If we turn in the direction of Herod's Palace, and pass by the upper market, we can take the most direct route to Hulda's house."

"You have traveled this part of the city more than I," replied Rabbi Benjamin. "We trust your judgment."

Saul's mother had awakened as they approached the city. She moved to the window allowing the best view of the street on which they were traveling. More than the city, or Herod's Palace, or people, she wanted to see her daughter, who had already arrived ahead of them with her husband. In the growing dusk the carriage traversed a street in the upper part of the city. As they went by houses in a fine residential area, she knew they were near the end of their journey. Suddenly she exclaimed loudly, "I see them! I see them!" Miriam and Esrom were running toward them.
"Esrom knew this was the street I always take when coming to Hulda's," Hasham commented.
After a happy welcome, Miriam said, "Two hours ago I said to Esrom, 'I have a feeling they should be arriving soon. Let's go and meet them.'"

"So," said Esther, "you have been waiting here for two hours? I think you two are so much in love you are not aware of either time or location." With that, they turned toward the house.
"I will make sure that all of the baggage is sent in," said Hasham. "The horses and carriage will be returned to Johath's stables outside the city."

"Can I help you?" asked Rabbi Benjamin.

"I think Hulda is anxiously awaiting you inside," Hasham replied. "You should see her without delay. I will see to the luggage."

Saul was greatly impressed with his aunt's house. It was larger than he had envisioned, and the view of the lower city was spectacular. Hulda had the evening meal ready, but it would not be until the following night that she would have the formal meal and presentation of her home to Miriam and Esrom. She had sent her servant Mina to the Rose Garden opposite the Pool of Siloam for flowers. Old Abel who attended the flower beds there, always put aside extra ones for Hulda.

Hulda assured everyone there was plenty of room to accommodate all. She showed each of them to their sleeping quarters, allowing them to freshen before the evening meal. Then, subdued by the excitement of the day, they fell into quiet conversation, or retired for the evening to their beds.
Saul, feeling tired, said his "good nights." He was impressed with the comfortable room he had to himself on the third floor. Hulda had pledged it to him as his permanent quarters while attending school with Gamaliel. Undressing, he lay down. His mind whirled with thoughts of Hillel and Gamaliel, of the Temple, Solomon's Temple, the second Temple, and Herod's monstrosity. In the City of God there were roots of faithlessness and impurity. More than anything, he wanted to see what was pure and righteous, restored completely to his people. The traditions and the Law, making each man righteous who loved it. He knew that he loved it, but not as the Sadducees, for whom only the written law mattered. To the Pharisee, not only the written law, also the oral traditions from Moses were to be treasured. His father told him that these spoken instructions had also been passed down by the Pharisees from Moses. Deep in his mind he dreamed of a day when he would restore the stones of righteousness to the true Temple of God in the City of David, and with that, went fast to sleep.