Anticipated

By Ida Smith

THE RISE OF THE KING.
ONE MAN, ONE HOPE—TWO VERY DIFFERENT PATHS.
All his life, 9-year-old Uzziel has heard the prophesies of a great king—one who will rescue his people from oppression. When he discovers a new born child; he questions the strange happenings around this child’s arrival. Angry at the oppression of Rome and her cruel soldiers, Uzziel is drawn to this unique child and tries to protect him.
As the child grows, Uzziel senses the small boy can see through him and knows about his horrible secret. But as Uzziel pieces together ancient prophecies of a long-awaited King, he suspects this child is the anticipated one who will save his people from Roman rule.
Then, in one morning of extraordinary violence, Uzziel’s hope is destroyed, and his hatred of Rome cemented. Uzziel assumes he was wrong about the child and spends the next several decades supporting those willing to fight against the Romans. But now, two leaders emerge—each with very different ideas and methods.
Could one of these men be the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies? If so, which one is the Promised One who will rid his people of their oppressors?
If you liked, Buck Storm and Bill Perkins, The List and Tosca Lee’s Iscariot: A Novel of Judas you’ll enjoy, Anticipated.
How will Uzziel respond to the turn of events that threaten all he’s anticipated? BUY NOW and find the Anticipated One.
-“Amazing novella. A great, thought-provoking novella from Ida Smith. I enjoyed the main characters viewpoint.” – Maureen Keoppel, Goodreads
-“This is a book you won’t be able to put down. Ida keeps you asking, ‘What’s going to happen next?’ ” – Misty Clark, author of the entertaining blog: “Moms for Lowered Expectations.”
-“A wonderful story about the Jewish response to Jesus the Messiah in the first century A.D. The author’s description of Jesus is based on solid research and a realistic portrayal of the different responses to Jesus by first century Jews, as seen through the eyes of Bethlehem shepherd boy, Uzziel...fun reading, but also very informative. Author Ida Smith, knows her craft.” – Paul F. Murray, Readers Favorite

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ida Smith
• Release date: Oct 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370200436

Ida Smith

IDA SMITH enjoys disappearing into a good story, whether she’s reading or writing it. Ida believes life rarely happens the way we plan, so she writes of fictional characters traveling Jagged Journeys. Ida’s stories capture our imagination—leaving us wondering: “What if that were me?” Ida lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family where she enjoys scrapbooking, gardening, and the outdoors.

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Praise for Anticipated

"This is a book you won’t be able to put down. Ida keeps you asking, ‘What’s going to happen next?’ Anticipated is an age-old story told from a different perspective. You will understand more of the Jewish culture and how astounding the life of Christ was. How his life affected and still affects us all."

—Misty Clark, author of the always entertaining blog: Moms for Lowered Expectations.

"Anticipated is a wonderful story about the Jewish response to Jesus the Messiah in the first century A.D. The author’s description of Jesus is based upon solid research and a realistic portrayal of the different responses to Jesus by first century Jews, as seen through the eyes of Bethlehem shepherd boy Uzziel. Uzziel grows into manhood, expecting a fierce warrior-Messiah who would lead an army to oust the Romans from Israel. The adult Jesus is very, very different from what Uzziel and his fellow Jews had originally expected. Uzziel’s reaction to Jesus forms the core of the story, as Uzziel works to reshape his expectations...I came away from the novel with a clearer understanding of why many first century Jews rejected Jesus and his teachings, as well as why some Jews came around to understanding the real reason why Jesus the Messiah came to earth. Not only was the novel fun reading, but also very informative. The grammar is flawless, making for easy reading and an ample desire to keep turning the pages. Author Ida Smith knows her craft.

—Paul F. Murray, Readers' Favorite

"Anticipation grabbed my attention immediately as the characters became alive on the page. The story line moved quickly with a clear message."

—Elaine, Lynden, Washington

ANTICIPATED

The Rise of the King

Ida Smith

Anticipated

By Ida Smith

To learn more about Jagged Journeys’ Stories or sign up to receive free short stories, visit: http://idasmithbooks.com

Copyright © 2015 by Ida Smith

Cover art by 100 Covers

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form except for use in book reviews or promotion.

ISBN-13: 978-1519521378

ISBN-10: 1519521375

FICTION / CHRISTIAN / HISTORICAL

This book is a work of historical fiction based on biblical events. Any person, place, or incident not taken directly from scripture is purely a product of the author’s imagination.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, and 2011 by International Bible Society.

Set in Crimson Pro

Printed in the United States of America

To Virginia Patterson

Thank you for your love, steadfastness, consistency, and strength of character. You have been a true role model and the best mother I could ever want. I am blessed to have you as both my mother and my friend.

Table of Contents

Prologue

THE GIFT

1. Unexpected Visitors

2. Strange News

3. Keeping a Secret

4. Two Kingdoms

OF GREAT MEN AND JEALOUSY

5. Stop Them

6. Trouble in Disguise

7. Stolen Hope

CONFLICTING PATHS

8. Two Paths

9. Glimpses

10. Tested

11. Caught in the Middle

12. Unexpected News

UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES

13. Parade of Paradox

14. Fooling the Romans

15. Clash of Powers

16. Hope Slain

17. Bitter Herbs

18. Surprised Again

Prophecies in Anticipated

Book Club Questions

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also Available from Ida Smith

Prologue

Anticipation—nothing is ever exactly as we expect. That is how it was with his arrival.

With every passing day, we anticipated his coming. It would be soon. We all knew it. It had to be. How could he allow this injustice to continue?

The promise of his coming lingered for years. But now—now was his time. We were certain. It was in our thoughts, spoken of behind closed doors, woven between whispers as our oppressors marched by. As they taxed our meager wages and issued their decrees. We longed for his appearing; as that usurper set himself up as our king.

We anticipated his arrival all our lives; yet when he came, we were completely unprepared. It didn’t matter that there were over three hundred prophesies—most of which we’d memorized. Somehow, between the distance of those prophesies and the desperation of our situation—we twisted their meaning. A fact we wouldn’t understand for decades. A reality some never accepted.

My name is Uzziel. I saw him the night of his arrival—and when they raised him up as our king—anticipation altered beyond recognition. This is my story.

THE GIFT

Chapter one

Unexpected Visitors

Icinched my cloak tighter against the night air, angry that Shai and I had to sleep on the roof. As if it wasn’t enough that strangers slept on our mats in the house, all around us, the noise of so many people in our small village made sleep difficult—at least for me.

Above me, the Maker’s cloak darkened the sky—only the light of his presence sparkled through the weave to shine upon us. This beauty was my only solace amidst the ruckus we’d experienced for the past several weeks—thanks to Caesar Augustus and his people-counting officials. Let them count us—as if the stars could be counted. The Romans might control the ground we trod on, but for all their power and might they couldn’t control the skies.

Despite the cool night I smiled at this thought. That’s when I saw it. A star—so bright and big I knew I’d never seen it before.

I nudged Shai. Look, look at that star.

He grumbled something and rolled over to peer up.

What do you think it means?

That it’s time to go to sleep, my cousin mumbled.

Shai, I’m serious. I think it means something. Don’t you remember what Rabbi Harel said?

Rabbi Harel says lots of things. Now go to sleep.

Remember the scriptures we copied a while ago? That when Yahweh put the lights in the sky, they were to serve as signs to mark sacred times, days and years?

He grunted.

Or what about the prophet Isaiah?

What about him? Come on, Uzziel, it’s late and tomorrow we have chores, and lessons, and—

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light—

I wouldn’t call that a great light.

It’s brighter than all the others, I countered.

How do you remember all this stuff, anyway?

How do you not? Don’t you want to be a Rabbi?

Of course, I do. Doesn’t every boy in Israel? But right now, I’m going to sleep. Shai rolled over and quit talking.

I stared up at the star shimmering to the east of us, larger and closer than the others. Shai had fallen asleep; his annoying wheeze filled the air until footsteps and whispers down the street overtook his wheezing. I crawled to the low wall and peered over into the narrow street. I expected to see Roman soldiers. Oh, how I wanted to pelt one with a rock. My fingers caressed the slingshot and bag of smooth stones by my side. Shai mocked me for sleeping with them, but I protested that we must always be prepared.

But if I hit one, and I was a pretty good aim, I would probably be caught. And even if I weren’t, some other person would be accused and punished; punished far more severely than the crime deserved. I shuddered at the thought and pushed that incident out of my mind. Besides, that was several years ago, when I was only nine. What could I have done to save the accused?

The sounds below diverted my thoughts. To my surprise, the men in the street weren’t soldiers, they weren’t even Romans. I watched as they hurried toward our home.

Why are we going this way? one of them said.

It’s faster than going around.

I cocked my head. I could swear that was my uncle Roi’s voice.

The men passed our home and headed up the street. I saw my uncle’s tall slender frame, a hand’s breadth above the others. How odd. Why was he in town?

I slipped down the stairs that led to the alley and followed them. I’d walked several blocks when I heard other footsteps and turned to see a pair of Roman guards round a corner onto the road. My uncle and the others turned left, and I slipped into a doorway, hidden by the darkness.

I held my breath as the soldiers approached. I didn’t want to explain why I was lurking about, not to them or my father. The soldiers were now beside my hiding spot. I stared into the eyes of a short burley Roman.

My hands chilled and my heart rattled in my chest. No matter what I’d say, the guards would think I was looking to steal something from some of the many travelers in town for the census.

I froze. What would I tell my father?

Ahem, the guard cleared his throat.

I almost fell to my knees to beg mercy. But the guard turned his head and kept walking.

My arms and shoulders fell limp, and I gasped for air. I peered around the doorway in time to see the guards wander down the street. I crept across the road into an alley, waited for a few moments and slunk to another doorway.

The soldiers stopped. The burley one turned around.

I pressed my body as flat as I could against the wall.

What is it? the other asked.

I thought I heard something. Footsteps.

Pebbles and sand crushed between the cobblestone and the soldier’s