Read Online A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Francine Rivers
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will.”
“If I have children.”
“When, not if.” Acsah smiled. “Onan will give you a child. I’ve no doubt of that.”
Tamar didn’t share her confidence. Onan was, after all, Er’s brother.
* * *
Acsah was pleased that Judah had finally settled the matter. Her heart ached as she witnessed the indifference in this household. No one in this household deserved Tamar. She was lovely and sweet, hardworking, loyal. Acsah’s heart sometimes swelled with pride as she watched the way the girl conducted herself with dignity, especially when faced with Bathshua’s slights, insults, and outbursts. There were times when Acsah had had to bite her tongue so she would not speak her mind and cause Tamar more trouble.
Judah had delayed long enough in giving Onan to Tamar. Acsah had begun to fear that Bathshua had succeeded in poisoning him against Tamar. She loved Tamar as dearly as she would have loved any child of her own womb, and it angered her to watch how she was treated.
Acsah had rejoiced when Judah sought her out and asked about Tamar’s health. He’d been uncomfortable. She’d understood what he was really asking and spared him further embarrassment. “The best time for conception would be in ten days.”
“Ten days. You’re certain?”
“Yes, my lord.” Acsah hadn’t neglected her duty toward Tamar or Judah’s household. The girl had no secrets from her. It was Acsah’s duty to watch over Tamar’s health. She knew the days of her cycle. She counted them from the full moon so that she would know precisely which days offered greatest fertility.
Even though the matter of Onan was settled, Acsah was worried about Tamar’s mood. Tamar was pensive and secretive. Before, she had always shared her thoughts and feelings. Acsah knew it was because the girl was becoming a woman, but it hurt to be excluded even in these small ways. She adored the girl and sought only the best for her. How could she lift her spirits when she didn’t know what Tamar was thinking? She pressed, but Tamar resisted. She wouldn’t say what was wrong. Acsah could only assume it was fear at the prospects of physical intimacy with Onan. And she could easily understand that, considering the heartless treatment her dear girl had suffered at Er’s hands. Acsah had been afraid for her and distressed about what to do without causing more trouble for her. A bruise now and then was common enough, but harder blows could cause internal injuries and permanent damage. And then what would become of Tamar?
But Er was dead now. Secretly, Acsah rejoiced. The wretched boy had only gotten what he deserved. He would never lay another hand upon Tamar, and Acsah was thankful to whatever god had struck him down. Countless times she had wished she had the power to do it. She had had to plug her ears to keep from going mad when she heard Tamar’s muted cries of pain behind closed doors.
Tamar need not fear Onan. Judah’s second son was different from the first. Onan was shrewd and ambitious. He tended his father’s flocks as though they were already his own. Acsah suspected Onan coveted more than his brother’s inheritance. He’d coveted his brother’s wife as well. Acsah had noticed the way the boy looked at Tamar. Perhaps the boy’s lust would turn to love, and Tamar’s life would be easier.
Most assuredly, Onan would be eager to fulfill his duty to her. The first son Tamar bore would be for Er, but others would follow. They would belong to Onan. Acsah could hardly wait for the day to come when she would help Tamar bring a child into the world. Oh, to see her lovely smile bloom again, to hear her laugh, to see her eyes shine with happiness! Tears sprang to Acsah’s eyes just thinking about it.
Taking her broom and basket, Acsah entered the room where Tamar and Onan would lie together. She set the basket by the door and worked vigorously. She chanted as she did so, exorcising the divine assembly from the room. Some spirits liked to hinder
“If I have children.”
“When, not if.” Acsah smiled. “Onan will give you a child. I’ve no doubt of that.”
Tamar didn’t share her confidence. Onan was, after all, Er’s brother.
* * *
Acsah was pleased that Judah had finally settled the matter. Her heart ached as she witnessed the indifference in this household. No one in this household deserved Tamar. She was lovely and sweet, hardworking, loyal. Acsah’s heart sometimes swelled with pride as she watched the way the girl conducted herself with dignity, especially when faced with Bathshua’s slights, insults, and outbursts. There were times when Acsah had had to bite her tongue so she would not speak her mind and cause Tamar more trouble.
Judah had delayed long enough in giving Onan to Tamar. Acsah had begun to fear that Bathshua had succeeded in poisoning him against Tamar. She loved Tamar as dearly as she would have loved any child of her own womb, and it angered her to watch how she was treated.
Acsah had rejoiced when Judah sought her out and asked about Tamar’s health. He’d been uncomfortable. She’d understood what he was really asking and spared him further embarrassment. “The best time for conception would be in ten days.”
“Ten days. You’re certain?”
“Yes, my lord.” Acsah hadn’t neglected her duty toward Tamar or Judah’s household. The girl had no secrets from her. It was Acsah’s duty to watch over Tamar’s health. She knew the days of her cycle. She counted them from the full moon so that she would know precisely which days offered greatest fertility.
Even though the matter of Onan was settled, Acsah was worried about Tamar’s mood. Tamar was pensive and secretive. Before, she had always shared her thoughts and feelings. Acsah knew it was because the girl was becoming a woman, but it hurt to be excluded even in these small ways. She adored the girl and sought only the best for her. How could she lift her spirits when she didn’t know what Tamar was thinking? She pressed, but Tamar resisted. She wouldn’t say what was wrong. Acsah could only assume it was fear at the prospects of physical intimacy with Onan. And she could easily understand that, considering the heartless treatment her dear girl had suffered at Er’s hands. Acsah had been afraid for her and distressed about what to do without causing more trouble for her. A bruise now and then was common enough, but harder blows could cause internal injuries and permanent damage. And then what would become of Tamar?
But Er was dead now. Secretly, Acsah rejoiced. The wretched boy had only gotten what he deserved. He would never lay another hand upon Tamar, and Acsah was thankful to whatever god had struck him down. Countless times she had wished she had the power to do it. She had had to plug her ears to keep from going mad when she heard Tamar’s muted cries of pain behind closed doors.
Tamar need not fear Onan. Judah’s second son was different from the first. Onan was shrewd and ambitious. He tended his father’s flocks as though they were already his own. Acsah suspected Onan coveted more than his brother’s inheritance. He’d coveted his brother’s wife as well. Acsah had noticed the way the boy looked at Tamar. Perhaps the boy’s lust would turn to love, and Tamar’s life would be easier.
Most assuredly, Onan would be eager to fulfill his duty to her. The first son Tamar bore would be for Er, but others would follow. They would belong to Onan. Acsah could hardly wait for the day to come when she would help Tamar bring a child into the world. Oh, to see her lovely smile bloom again, to hear her laugh, to see her eyes shine with happiness! Tears sprang to Acsah’s eyes just thinking about it.
Taking her broom and basket, Acsah entered the room where Tamar and Onan would lie together. She set the basket by the door and worked vigorously. She chanted as she did so, exorcising the divine assembly from the room. Some spirits liked to hinder
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