A Song for Zipporah

By Harris Enterprises

Zipporah is the beautiful Ethiopian daughter of Jethro, priest of Midian. She loves her family and loves singing.  Her voice is beyond extraordinary----it's hypnotic. She dreams of one day leaving Midian to marry the man of her dreams.  Then one night, she is disturbed by a strange dream.  It turned her whole world upside down. Now her life will become like her sweet beautiful song or her worse bitter nightmare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harris Enterprises
• Release date: Jul 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9780692034491

Book preview

~ Dedication ~

To his royal majesty on high.

The most excellent King of Kings and

Lord of Lords——Jesus Christ.

~ Acknowledgements ~

Truly I am indebted to a special friend of many talents. Because of your patience, skills, wit and hands of a ready writer, you have inspired me to never give up on going after that big fish among the rushing streams of other writers.

To you:  Phyllis Brooks, I say thank you graciously and

may God bless you.

~ Preface ~

In the desert there are two things

a man never forgets.

One is the sting of a scorpion.

The other is the tears of

a jealous woman—-

~ The Author ~

T

reading the dust of Median was all too familiar to daughters of Jethro.  Being meek and humble, they lived as most common folks.  They hunted wild game, ate fresh fruit and lived off the fat of the land.  They had nearly everything and wanted for nothing——nothing except husbands.  Jethro, the patriarch, was the priest of Median.  He loved his daughters and longed for sons-in-law for his many daughters.  There were seven in all: Sheba, Abigail, Zeresh, Keturah, Bashemath, Candace, and the eldest, Zipporah.

As the day became hot and windy, the daughters of Jethro went to their favorite well to quench their thirst and to water their father's flock.  They talked about everything imaginable most young women talked about.  They talked about clothes, fine jewelry, perfumes, silver, and gold and of course, men.  Sheba, the youngest, was sharp-tongued.  She always spoke her mind and made no regard for her eldest sister's reproof.  She was thus often rebuked for her much speaking.   Sisters, how long will it be before we get husbands? she asked.  I don't want to be an old beautiful woman having never had my hand taken in marriage.  You'll have to wait your turn like all the rest of us, replied Candace.  You will probably have to wait longer than the rest of us because you are the youngest and the naughtiest.   I won't hear of it! snapped Sheba.  If all of you want to be sent to your graves as the oldest virgins in Midian, then so be it.  I'm getting married and I'm going to have a family.  I'm going to have a large family at that, Sheba said.  Who are you going to marry?  Bashemath interrupted.  What are you going to marry?  There are no available young men within a three days journey from here.  Are you going to marry a goat?"  They all laughed Sheba to scorn.

Sheba's wrath was kindled and she became angry.  She started throwing her food at them.   First her loaves of bread and then her summer fruit.  You'd better save that food sister.  Your goat husband may want some.  Sheba turned her eyes against her sisters as the wheels of a chariot, ran off and wept.  She rested on a sheaf in a nearby wheat field and wept.  Why are you weeping Sheba? asked her eldest sister.  My sisters are mocking me and making sport of me.  They say I'll never get married and I'll be an old woman before any man seeks my hand.  Why do they always make sport of me?  Before her eldest sister could answer, Jethro called.  Sheba, come here my child.  Both Sheba and her eldest sister went to see what Jethro wanted.  Entering his tent they saw two baskets.  Father, what are these baskets for? they asked.  They are for gathering grapes my daughters.  I saw some large ripe grapes near the corn field of Lotan.  Go get me some grapes, both of you.  Hurry and return before the sun sets.  Sheba, be careful to whom you speak.  There may be strangers traveling about with evil intentions.  Be careful how you place the grapes in the baskets too.  Do not stack them too high or they will bruise.  Zipporah my daughter, see to it that she stays out of trouble.  Yes father, Zipporah replied.

Leaving the tent, the two headed east toward the land of Lotan.  Now Lotan was a wealthy shepherd with many oxen, sheep, goats and cattle.  He had many servants and stewards also, but he was greedy.  He paid the smallest of wages as allowed by the law.  He watched his servants with evil eyes and would not let them eat more than a grain of corn more than their due.  Therefore many folks hated him.  As for the two daughters of Jethro, they journeyed near the corn field to gather grapes as their father had commanded them.  Near the field, Sheba saw some flowers.  Look sister!  Let's gather a few and take them with us, she said.  No, not this time, Zipporah said.  We only have room for the fruit father sent us for.  Why must you always do exactly as father says my sister?  You follow his every word, line upon line and every jot and tittle, Sheba said.  You never speak your mind.  You are the eldest of seven and sometimes you behave like a dumb ox with a bridle in his mouth.  Zipporah held her tongue and looked upon Sheba with anger.  Oh, did I anger you sister? Sheba asked.  Let's get those grapes father asked for and return before it gets too late, Zipporah said.  Yes mother dearest, Sheba replied with arrogance.  Zipporah gnashed her teeth and eyed Sheba in the manner a lioness would eye a young fallow deer.  Look!  There they are, exclaimed Zipporah.  Let's fill our baskets and return home.  These are the largest grapes I've even seen, remarked Zipporah.  Indeed they are, Sheba said.  They are like the ones father talked about when the Hebrews brought back clusters from the brook, Eshcol.  Do you suppose the story of the Hebrews going to Eshcol is true? asked Sheba.  Truly, all this talk about large grapes, tall gates and tall men, could it really be true?  Well my sister, father does not waste his time on idle tales, Zipporah said.  If there were tall gates then surely there were tall people.  What about the men? Sheba asked.  Do you think they were fair to look upon?  Did they sport long beards?  Do you suppose they were strong like a team of oxen?  I do not know and do not care, Zipporah answered.  I heard they were vile with their women.  They treat them worse than cattle.  Maybe not all of them are vile, Sheba said.  Perhaps some of them were gentle and kind.  I doubt it, Zipporah said.  I hear how they force their women to work even when they were with child.  That is vile, Sheba said.  That could cause and untimely birth.  Yes indeed, Zipporah said.  It's getting late.  Let's return before father gets worried and sends for us. 

Gathering the grapes, Zipporah and Sheba headed home.  While returning home, Zipporah saw the flowers she and Sheba saw earlier.  I think we have room for a few flowers, Zipporah said.  Agreed, Sheba said.  The two gathered some flowers and also put some in their long dark flowing hair.  Father will be pleased with us will he not? asked Sheba?  Oh yes, oh yes indeed, Zipporah replied.  He will have his fruit and two beautiful daughters with flowers in their hair to look at.  Zipporah, don't we look like two brides with flowers in our hair? Sheba asked?  Well, yes, Zipporah answered.  Hurry, let's get to the tents before father comes, Zipporah said.

Entering Jethro's tent put a smile on their father's face.  Ah my daughters, you have brought back the grapes.  Sit down and rest yourselves.  I'll wash my hands and feast of these wonderful fruit you brought, he said with glee.  He only mentioned the fruit, Sheba complained.  He didn't even say anything about the flowers in our hair.  Well, at least he's pleased about the fruit, Sheba said.  Zipporah just looked on as Sheba talked.  Be quiet sister.  Father is returning, Zipporah said.  Ah, my daughters let me taste and see what we have here.  Ah!  These are sweet my darlings.  Jethro bit into the sun-ripen grapes and the juice shot forth like an arrow from a bow.  I am pleased my daughters, said Jethro.  Go and tell your sisters to come and dine with us.  We have meat, bread and lintels.  There is plenty for all.  Go now and hurry.  I am ready to eat.

Jethro's daughters sat down and feasted with the provisions on the table.  They talked about the sweet grapes and meat they ate.  As they ate, Jethro began to tell the stories of old.  These were the stories that were passed on to him from his father.  Hear me my daughters.  I have a tale to tell.

When I was but a young lad, my father told me the stories of how we came to this place.  But father, you told us this tale before, Sheba interrupted.  No, this is different, Jethro corrected.  When our forefather Esau was yet alive, he told us the strange story of Nimrod.  The ladies eyes were wide with amazement while Jethro spoke.  Nimrod was the son of Cush.  Cush's father was Ham.  We were blessed to have chronicles given to us while we were still young.  My father Esau said Cush was a mighty hunter and did things that were vile.  He worshipped idols and carvings of wood and stone.   My daughters the world was so much different then, said Jethro.  My father how was the world different? asked Candace.  My daughter, everyone spoke the same language, explained Jethro.  Now there are many different tongues that are foreign to us.  Look into the starry skies my daughters.  See, there are as many tongues as there are stars in the skies.  Father, how could that be? his daughters gasped.  I was told by my father, Esau, that Nimrod wanted to build a tower that would reach into the heavens.  While they were building, something strange happened.  What happened? they asked.  Tell us father.  A strange sound overtook them.  As it passed by, a strong wind blew. As soon as the wind was past, many of the builders started speaking strange things.  Some understood one another while others could not.  They could not finish building the tower so they scattered all over the earth.  Jethro looked at his daughters with wide eyes as the fire burning before him made his face all aglow.  Jethro continued.  Many of the folks went north and south.  Some went east and west.  My father's kindred went south.  We are here to this day my daughters.  With eyes wide open, the daughters of Jethro were amazed and quiet as a mouse.  Zipporah reached into her baskets and began eating some grapes.  She said nothing yet looked on, soaking in all of the words of her father.

Now my daughters, it is time for rest.  Remember these tales.  They will serve you well in time to come.  His daughters looked on while Zipporah leaned her head

next to Bashemath.  Let us go rest my sister, said Zipporah.  Jethro's daughters kissed their father and turned towards their tents.  As they were departing, Jethro called Zipporah.   My daughter, is there something troubling you?  You were very quiet while we sat and dined.  No my father. I was only thinking of the story you told about Nimrod.  Oh, very well my daughter.  Rest well my daughter.  Yes my father.  Peace to you, Zipporah said.

As Zipporah returned to her tent, she gazed into the sky and saw stars all about her.  One star shined much brighter than all the others. Maybe that is a good sign she said to herself.  Entering her tent she lit a light and sat upon her bed for a while.  She pondered about life as she knew it.  I guess Sheba was right she murmured quietly to herself.  My hand will be old and wrinkled before a man comes after me.  Zipporah blew out the light and rested her head on her pillow.  She thought of her mother when she was yet alive.  Mother's long flowing dark hair and ivory white teeth were addictive.  Her smile could charm anyone.  Once, father was pecked by a sitting hen.  He cried aloud and cast eggs all over the stable.  Mother took him by the hands, wiped the eggs from his vestments and softly kissed him.  Father was quietly transformed from a beast to a gentle lamb.  O how I miss her, Zipporah sighed.

As Zipporah thought on those wonderful moments, her eyes began to fill with tears.  She closed her eyes and just wished for the next day.  The lowering of the oxen and bleating of the sheep were like milk to a babe in the ears of Zipporah.  She fell asleep and began dreaming.  It was a strange dream.  In her dream she stood by the edge of a well with six lambs.  When the lambs went to drink, there immediately appeared ten wolves. They surrounded them.  They came near to devour and to tear them into pieces.  Suddenly a ram with a stick in his mouth appeared before the lambs and ten wolves.  The wolves attacked the ram but could not over take him.  The ram slammed into the wolves with his horns and stick until the wolves fled away wounded and bleeding.  Zipporah then awoke and wondered what the meaning of her dream was.  She wiped the sweat from her face and lay back down again. 

Morning came with fresh singing from the sparrows.  The smell of eggs and roasted quails filled the tents.  Bashemath, what are you doing here so early this morning? Zipporah asked.  I was restless so I decided to go for a little walk.  You look well rested Zipporah, did you sleep sweetly? Bashemath asked.  Oh yes my sister.  The meal last night and the sound of flock made me sleep like a baby, Zipporah said.  Now Zipporah did not tell her about her dream for she did not understand the meaning thereof.  That's wonderful.  Help me with this pot, Bashemath said.  We need to sit it on the table.  The two carried the pot and placed it on the table then went to get bread.  The others will be up soon and hungry as a cow.  Yes, especially little sister, Bashemath added.  Oh now, let's not tease her first thing this morning.  You know how quickly she gets stirred up, Zipporah said.  Yes indeed, she's like a young hen robbed of her chicks, added Bashemath.  Bashemath!  You should stop.  She's just a young girl of fifteen years, explained Zipporah.  I remember another young girl when she was about that same age.  Oh yes!  She would talk all night long and if you fell asleep on her, she would pour water in your hair, Zipporah said laughing.  I wonder who that could be.  Zipporah smiled and called the others.  When all were seated at the table, Jethro their father said a few honorable words.  He gave thanks to the God of all gods then tore into a loaf of bread.  While sitting around the table, Jethro spoke about the ancients of old in Egypt.  Father, another tale?  Yes my daughters," he replied.

In the days of Egypt lived a mighty king.  He was the Pharaoh of all the earth. No nation on earth could rival him.  Now Jethro spoke as an oracle.  He was full of wisdom and knowledge.  With crumbs and grease around his mouth he spoke forcefully.  Pharaoh had a strange dream one night.  None of his wise men or magicians could interpret the dream.  What was the dream? Zipporah inquired.  He dreamed about cows coming out of the great Nile River.  Seven of them were fat and lean.  Seven of them were thin and sickly.  They were so thin they didn't even look like cows.  Jethro looked upon his daughters and grabbed a loaf of bread.  Do you know what those wretched thin cows did next?  Tell us father, his daughters demanded.  What did they do?  They ate up the fat lean cows just like I'm eating this bread, Jethro continued.  After eating those fat cows, they were still thin my daughters.  My father, what did that mean?  Quiet, quiet my daughters and I will tell you.  A famine came across the land of Egypt for seven years.  Yes, my daughters, seven full years.  Jethro fixed his eyes upon his daughters and said, The God of gods spoke through a young Hebrew lad to interpret the Pharaoh's dream.  Everything came to pass just as the young lad interpreted."

Zipporah was looking at her father then handed him a cup of water.  She then looked upon him once more and sat quietly down.  Did you want to say something my daughter? asked Jethro.  No my father, I just enjoy the great stories you tell us.  Jethro reached for some more bread and meat.  While he bit into it he eyed his oldest daughter.  The others looked at Zipporah bewildered.  Zipporah, would you pass me some bread sister? Candace asked.  As Candace took hold of the bread, she paused briefly and fixed her eyes upon Zipporah.  Thank you my sister, you are most gracious, Candace said.  All eyes were upon Zipporah yet she said not a word.

The sound of eating and drinking ruled the remainder of the meal time.  After eating, Candace looked keenly at her elder sister.  Wiping her mouth she asked, Will you dress my hair sister?  Yes Candace, as soon as I wash the dishes, Zipporah replied.  Zipporah started washing the pots and pans outside of the tent.  Jethro was still eating and drinking when she came for his dish.  Father, would you like some more? Zipporah asked.  No, my daughter, I am full.  Here, take my dish and my cup.  Jethro rose up and eyed Zipporah.  He then walked outside.  Zipporah could sense the eyes of her father upon her neck but said not a word.

The morning dew began to lift and the cows,