Ephus and the Praying Bushel

By Robert Berry

And so begin the travels of the time traveling, first-century Christian storyteller who appears in print for the first time in Ephus and the Praying Bushel. Journey through time to the early days of the formation of the Christian Church, and, walk with Ephus Bar Isaiah as he travels the by ways of first-century Jerusalem. Meet Ephus’ frien

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Dec 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781647530341

Robert Berry

Robert Berry graduated Magna Cum Laude from Creighton University in 2013 with a degree in Finance. He currently lives in Clear Lake, Iowa.

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Ephus and the Praying Bushel

Copyright © 2019 by Robert Berry. All rights reserved.

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Published in the United States of America

ISBN 978-1-64753-033-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64753-034-1 (Digital)

14.11.19

G reetings! I am Ephus Bar Isaiah. Ephus means ‘a leader among peers.’ And my father, Isaiah bar Joash certainly hoped I would be just that! I am a follower of the Christ. I am a Hellenistic Jew, of Cushitic heritage. My Cushite ancestors moved into Canaan in ancient times. I was born circa 15 BC, in Cana, during the Herodian era of the Roman occupation. I was an only surviving child, my mother, Athaliah, daughter of Chimham, having nearly died, in losing a child at birth, two years after my arrival. My father, Isaiah, son of Joash, was a small-time vine culturer, growing and producing one type of grape and then marketing it through the region, even by caravan.

My mother, Athaliah, daughter of Chimham, was a potter, making clay jars, with the aid of a portable oven kiln, and selling them at local marketplaces. My father, Isaiah, son of Joash, needed jars, and in this manner, he met my mother, having seen her wares displayed at market. I helped my mother, or, others, in the community, when not helping my father to tend our garden, the livestock, or the vines. All members of our household, as well as most persons of general means, also spent some time in the fields and groves, gathering foods, and raw materials, as according to the Law of Moses.

At five, I journeyed to Damascus and Tyre, and thereupon was introduced to the great diversity of the world of God. I also began to prepare meals for my father, as he was not among the talented in cooking, burning most everything to coals. Thus, cooking, and the feeding of others, have been a part of my life, since childhood, as we often found many hungry travelers seeking the generosity of our cooking fire, in the evening, during caravan travel or other commercial excursions.

I grew up fearing Jehovah, and, making sacrifices. At the age of seven years, I moved, with my family, to Machaerus, an important fortified town, the location of one of Herod’s palaces. There, I spent a great deal of time working as a shepherd and goatherd. The ferocity of the Roman occupation led the family to move again, to Bethel, of Jacob’s alter, when I was aged fifteen years. Machaerus was a constant source of rebellion against Roman occupation, and was to be, a few years later, the site of the beheading of John the Baptist.

In Bethel, I learned winemaking, and continued to watch the local flocks. At that time, I did face the leopard of Abyssinia, and, also, the jackal, and various serpents, with courage! And, also, let me not forget the three foxes which also menaced the flock, at this time. My parents, after some goodly years, returned to God’s bosom, from this home.

I disposed of the small holding of my Father, and moved to Ephraim, of the Patriarchs, where, also, David was anointed King. As a young man, I worked as a wood gatherer and cutter, being agile and industrious. However, later-on, I began to exploit my maturing vine holdings as a wine merchant, having learned the trade from my father. Then, I became a baker, and began to sell both bread and wine.

Due to the blessing of my great worldly travels, I can read some Hebrew and a small amount of Greek. I know a little Latin, too, although I don’t let the Romans know that, unless I have to. I won’t be deceitful…

Many of the Romans garrisoned in Palestine are levied from Syria, and speak our tongue, Aramaic. There are also Gauls, Britons, and Goths.

"I was on a mercantile journey from Ephraim to Jerusalem, Bethany and Jericho, carrying wine and bread, when I encountered Jesus, the Nazarene, between Bethany, where He frequently lodged, and the Dead