Saul – the Traitor!: A Fictionalized Biography of the Apostle Paul

By Ted Bradshaw

The Story: We know next to nothing of the man Saul of Tarsus. Sauls home was Tarsus. He was a Jew and proudly a Pharisee. More importantly, he was a zealot. He studied under the great rabbi Gamaliel. We know nothing of his father, not even his name, except he was a Roman citizen. Since Sauls living came from tent-making, we can speculate that his father was a tent-maker

I have endeavored to recreate Sauls early life and experiences on the basis of what we do know from the scriptures and from first-century Jewish culture. To this are added logical suppositions. This is a fictionalized history of Saul up to the beginning of his ministries to the Gentiles, when he became the Apostle Paul.

The book introduces Sauls family and presents a theory of why Scripture is silent about them.
Its narrative explores his early developing of zeal for the Law.
It suggests early romance and why Saul never married.
It explores his early training under the great Rabbi Gamaliel.
It shows Sauls growing hatred of Christians and his zeal at persecuting them.
It examines Sauls conversion and the changed and disruptions that entails.
It speculates his being in the school of Christ during three years in Nabatean desert.
It follows Saul in his first evangelistic ventures.
It looks into his tentative approach to the Disciples of Jesus.
It speculates on initial meetings and development of relationships with Barnabus and Silas.
It explores some of the chastisements Saul received as a result of preaching the Gospel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514473542

Ted Bradshaw

Ted met the living Jesus at 27. Baptized in the Holy Spirit, Ted graduated seminary as M. Div. Served as a Student Pastor, later Pastor of a yoked parish - Baptist and Congregational churches. Ted became a Christian Counselor, worked in parachurch organizations, on staff in an Episcopal church. Ted went short-term missions to Slovakia; Pakistan; St. Petersburg, Russia; Micronesia (3 times); Philippines and Bulgaria. Ted has written “Servant of the Servants of God”; a novel “Saul – The Traitor!©” His wife Ruth of 57 years has given him two daughters. He has seven grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren."

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Copyright © 2016 by Ted Bradshaw.

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Rev. date: 07/16/2016

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Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1    Rooting And Growing

Chapter 2    Leaves Develop

Chapter 3    Branching Out

Chapter 4    Bearing Fruit

Chapter 5    Discovery Of The Messiah

Chapter 6    The Making Of A Fist

Chapter 7    Consumed With Heresy

Chapter 8    Enlisting for Duty

Chapter 9    Arresting Developments, The Attack Begins

Chapter 10    Less Than Triumphal Entry

Chapter 11    The Lamb Chases Down His Prey

Chapter 12    A New Planting

Chapter 13    Budding And Branching

Chapter 14    Night Flight To A Dry And Thirsty Land

Chapter 15    Feast In The Desert

Chapter 16    In School With Christ

Chapter 17    Discovering Foundational Truths

Chapter 18    Into The Lion’s Den

Chapter 19    A Basket Case

Chapter 20    Retreat To The City Of God

Chapter 21    Rooted And Grounded

Chapter 22    Instruction In The Life

Chapter 23    A Change of Orders

Speculations on the journey St. Saul took to arrive at meeting Jeshua on the road to Damascus, and from there to the meeting with Peter in Jerusalem. This is not history. It is speculation drawn from factual information from both the Scriptures and the period.

Introduction

We know next to nothing of the man, Saul of Tarsus. Saul’s home was Tarsus. He was a Jew and proudly a Pharisee. More importantly, he was a zealot He studied under the great Rabbi, Gamaliel. We know nothing of his father, not even his name, except he was a Roman citizen. Since Saul’s living came from tentmaking, we can speculate that his father was a tentmaker, and Saul learned the trade under his father’s tutelage. In his many writings he never speaks of his mother or siblings.

Citizenship was hard to come by for a non-Roman, particularly so for a Jew. Perhaps he had distinguished himself in one of the numerous Roman wars. Perhaps he had done a great favor for an influential Roman. Regardless, Saul’s father was awarded Roman citizenship that was hereditary, so through his father Saul was also a citizen of Rome.

From his writings we can justly assume Saul was a well educated man. The fact that he was writing in the A.D. 60s and was martyred ca. A.D. 68 we can assume he was born about the time of Jesus’ birth. Beyond these paltry facts, we can only speculate.

I will endeavor to recreate Saul’s life and experiences on the basis of what we do know from the Scriptures and from 1st century Jewish culture. To this I will add what, I trust, are logical suppositions. Thus starts the fictionalized history of Saul, who with the beginning of his ministries to the Gentiles, became the Apostle Paul.

Saul grew up in a university town and a center for both knowledge and culture. For Saul, Greek, Roman and Jewish culture were the milieu in which he lived. He likely went to school at the same time Herod Antipas and his foster brother, Manaens (who later became a Christian prophet-teacher in Antioch). His given name was Saul. He probably spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin and Greek. Likely he studied Greek philosophers. Saul probably read enough Greek philosophy to realize it was a blind alley spiritually. This led him to embrace Judaism with fervor. While he might have studied Gentile thought as the son of a Pharisee, Saul would never have had any personal dealings with Gentiles. He would have kept his distance so as not to become defiled. His regular attendance at synagogue and his prominence in business likely brought Saul to the attention of the Elders of the synagogue. His scholarship and studies under Gamaliel made him a prime candidate to be asked often to line, i.e. read the Torah. His appreciation of the Scriptures likely lent such ardor to his reading that people appreciated him. Besides, he and his father likely contributed generously to the synagogue.

To become a Pharisee, he had to be profoundly educated in the Torah. That occurred under the tutelage of Gamaliel, one of only seven rabbis to be given the esteemed title of Rabban. Gamaliel means reward of God. He lived in Jerusalem, so it is most likely Saul went to live there while under Gamaliel’s instruction. Scripture makes it clear that this Rabbi was a devout believer in God’s sovereignty. When called upon to comment on the heresy of the Apostles Peter and John, Gamaliel took the middle ground. "If their faith is not of God it will soon run its course and fade away; however, if it is of God and the Sanhedrin¹ chooses to condemn the Apostles, they may discover they are resisting God. He was respected enough that even though his advice went against the engendered hate of the Sanhedrin members, they acceded to his wisdom. His advice is also based on Jewish pragmatism, i.e. what succeeds is of God and what fails is evil. After his death, the Talmud gives him this accolade, Since Rabban Gamaliel died, the glory of the Law has ceased."

Saul, as a zealous Jew, would have kept strict separation from Gentiles to remain ceremonially clean. Likely, while youthful, he had been a respected and well-to-do Jew. If he were in his thirties, he may have been selected for the council of the elders of Judaism, if Saul’s zeal for the Law brought him to the attention of influential members of the Sanhedrin. At the time of Jeshua’s (Jesus’) crucifixion, Saul may have recently been appointed as Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin.

Also as a resident of Tarsus, he would not have qualified; however, if he took up residence in Jerusalem, Saul would qualify. Whether or not he was a member of the Sanhedrin, Saul could have been employed by the Sanhedrin to carry out its directives, and would likely do so enthusiastically.

A zealous Jew and well-to-do, Saul would have traveled to Jerusalem to attend the five festivals of Judaism - Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Tabernacles. Each trip would consume two or maybe three weeks considering the slow travel and the length of the various feasts. If he could afford to be absent from his business in Tarsus nearly 20% of the time, he was likely quite well off. He must have had responsible slaves, as well as a responsible steward.

Being in Jerusalem that often and for such lengths of time, it would make sense to have a branch office in the home of the Jews. If Saul had a tentmaking establishment in Jerusalem, he would have another accomplished steward, as well as a second home. Regardless, Saul was most likely often in communication with the Jerusalem Pharisees and with members of the Sanhedrin. He was probably well acquainted with their concern about the Nazarene carpenter. People who know others who share their views tend to talk freely about their concerns.

Observations by John Lord, LL.D. (1810-1894), Professor of History at Dartmouth College, Beacon Lights of History, Vo. 1, Part II, Wm. H. Wise, Co., New York, Pgs. 451-453. He taught for forty years on the history of the world and the characters who formed it. This collection comprises his lectures.

As a man Paul had his faults, but his virtues were transcendent; and these virtues he himself traced to divine grace, enabling him to conquer his infirmities and prejudices, and perform astonishing labors, and to endure no less marvelous sufferings. His humanity was never lost in his discouraging warfare; he sympathized with human sorrows and afflictions; he was tolerant, after his conversion, of human infirmities, while enjoining a severe morality. He was a man of native genius, with a profound insight into spiritual truth. Trained in philosophy and disputation, his gentleness and tact in dealing with those who opposed him are a lesson to all controversialists. His voluntary sufferings have endeared him to the heart of the world, since they were consecrated to the welfare of the world he sought to enlighten. As an encouragement to others, he enumerates the calamities which happened to him from his zeal to serve mankind, but never complains of them or regards them as a mystery, or as anything but the natural result of unappreciated devotion. He was more cheerful than Confucius, who felt that his life had been a failure; more serene than Plato when surrounded by admiring followers. He regarded every Christian man as a brother and a friend. He associated freely with women, without calling out a sneer or a reproach. He taught principles of self-control rather than rules of specific asceticism, and hence recommended wine to Timothy and encouraged friendship between men and women, when intemperance and unchastity were a scandal and a disgrace of the age; although so far as himself was concerned, he would not eat meat, if thereby he would give offense to the weakest of the weak-minded brethren. He enjoined filial piety, obedience to rulers, and kindness to servants as among the highest duties of life. He was frugal, but independent and hospitable; he had but few wants and submitted patiently to every inconvenience. He was the impersonation of gentleness, sympathy, and love, although a man of iron will and indomitable resolution. He claimed nothing but the right to speak his honest opinions, and the privilege to be judged according to the laws. He magnified his office, but only the more easily to win men to his noble cause. To this great cause he was devoted heart and soul, without ever losing courage, or turning back for a moment in despondency or fear. He was courageous as he was faithful; as indifferent to reproach as he was eager for friendship. As a martyr he was peerless, since his life was a protracted martyrdom. He was a hero, always gallantly fighting for the truth whatever may have been the array and howling of his foes; and when wounded and battered by enemies he returned to the fight for his principles with all earnestness, but without the wrath, of a knight of chivalry. He never indulged in angry recrimination or used unseemly epithets, but was unsparing in his denunciation of sin, – as seen in his memorable description of the vices of the Romans. Self-sacrifice was the law of his life. His faith was unshaken in every crisis and every danger. It was this which especially fitted him, as well as his ceaseless energies and superb intellect, to be a leader of mankind. To Paul, and to Paul more than to any other apostle, was given the exalted privilege of being the recognized interpreter of Christian doctrine for both philosophers and the people, for all the coming ages; and at the close of his career, worn out by labor and suffering, yet conscious of the services which he rendered and of victories he had won, and possibly in view of approaching martyrdom, he was enabled triumphantly to say, ‘I have fought the good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day,’

Acknowledgements

John Donne informs us that no man is an Island. Long before John Donne God put that thought another way, For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. (Romans 12:3-5)

Ted Bradshaw is listed as the author and he actually did all the typing. It was the Holy Spirit that prompted my writing. I am not placing this piece on, or anywhere near, the level of Holy Writ. I only proclaim that I have been and always will be His instrument.

My good friend for many years Barrett Knudsen was the first to see my initial pages. His enthusiasm and corrections spurred me on to complete the book.

For fact check and editing I called upon the Rev. Phil Corr, who despite difficult times faithfully gave me a stronger product through his wisdom.

My Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ken Collins read and challenged me to get deeper into the inner workings of Paul.

Finally, I relied upon my dear friend Toni Sisley, who I have known since college days to give me the evaluation of a general reader.

Just as the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, so Paul- The Traitor has become more that I could have made it alone. All of these have contributed to elevate this writing. Thus all the faults in this book are mine alone.

I tell people, I need someone to take care of me. That’s why I married my wife. Ruth has been long suffering for well over 50 years of marriage to me. Ruth stepped in at the end and spent many hours pouring over the galleys, correcting and correcting. I am deeply grateful to the Lord for giving her to me and to Ruth for staying, for better or worse.

Chapter 1

Rooting And Growing

Saul! Amplias ben Joshua commanded, I need you to run back to the shop to fetch my satchel. Saul, at thirteen, just past his bar Mizpah,² was accompanying his father for the first time on a buying trip. Impatient to be away from his mother’s arms and about his father’s business, he was reluctant to go back within her sphere of influence. "Maybe if I sprint in and out quickly she will not notice." He pulled up his hem and tucked it in his belt, freeing his legs to sprint, and off he ran. It was not to be.

His mother, Miriam, was watching the road her husband and son took. She treasured Saul because she had waited so long for a child. It had been embarrassing to go to the well. The children of the other women playing around as their mothers gossiped emphasized her curse of barrenness. For eight years she had waited to feel life growing inside her. With each passing year her heart saddened and grew more desperate. She prayed long and hard to have a child. Then, at last she was pregnant. Finally she was able to hold her head up among the other women. Then the wrong kind of pain came and she lost her baby.

Miriam took to going to the well in the early afternoon to avoid the pitying looks of some and the shunning of others. Why had God cursed her? Ampilas loved her, and that was a blessing, but the only blessing in her life. She wanted more! Lord, I want a son for Ampilas! Look with mercy on your handmaid! Repeal my shame! I have been married these ten years and no child at my breast. Lord, have pity! Miriam importuned Amplias to give her extra offerings. She contributed large sums to the poor. Yet she remained (O, that horrendous word!) barren.

In their twelfth year Miriam noticed a change. The growing realization of what it meant finally sparked hope again. Could it be? O Adonai! Have you granted my desire? Am I with child? Her joy in the discovery dwindled into anxiety for the health of the child. For seven months she lived in fear that this might be a repeat of stillbirth. Instead, she was strong and healthy and the child within grew. Its first kick nearly knocked the wind out of her. Maybe you are strong and healthy, she said to the child. When labor pains came and the stress of child birth was upon her, Ampilas called the midwife.

Examining Miriam, she observed, Have no fear my dear, you and the child will do fine. With continuing reassuring words, she assisted Miriam in birthing the child. Well, here’s a goodly boy! she announced. What will his name be?

Saul, replied Miriam, exhausted, but without hesitation, because he has been asked of God and God has delivered, blessed be His name.

Saul’s family went to synagogue weekly and Amplias also attended weekly prayers. On the eighth day, according to the Law of Moses, baby Saul was circumcised and entered under the Covenant God made with Abraham.³ After another three years Miriam became pregnant again and in the process of time was overjoyed to have born a girl she named Ruth, meaning female companion. Miriam said, Now I have a companion for me, and a companion to grow up with my son.

As the children grew, Miriam trained Ruth in domestic responsibilities, while Amplias trained Saul in both his religious duties and his work, which he expected Saul to assume. Amplias instructed Saul in Hebrew, the language of the Torah. Saul had a good understanding of Aramaic, the common language of the Jews, having learned it at home. In his early schooling Saul learned both Greek and Latin as he studied under Gentile scholars. When Saul was old enough to begin Torah studies, Amplias took him to Rabbi Eliab ben Jeihiel to be his instructor.

Upon receiving the boy, the rabbi tested Saul in Hebrew and Aramaic immediately. He gave him copied portions of Scripture scrolls of Torah in Hebrew and of Writings in Aramaic to determine the level of his reading in each. Saul began lining ⁴ aloud. He had read just a short passage when Rabbi Eliab stopped him. Now the Writings, he prompted. Saul set aside the Torah portion and picked up the Writings portion. He read nearly all of it before the Rabbi stopped him again.

The Rabbi heaved a deep sigh, "Saul, your Aramaic is rudimentary, fit for home, but inadequate to study the Scriptures. But your Hebrew is worse. God’s Word is masterful and beautiful! You brutalize it with an unholy stammering and with fits and starts! No, no, no! You must learn to speak them both so the words drop off your tongue like flowing honey. The Psalmist says, ‘The ordinances of the LORD⁵ are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.’ ⁶

"Most times the words should be a savor to your tongue and a blessing to the ears of your hearers. At times you must growl judgments like a lion, not whine like a hyena! Other times, let the joy of what you read ring in your voice. And at all times, read smoothly and clearly.

"Before you can begin to line, you must be able to appreciate the love and judgment of God, and embrace the beauty of God’s word.

You will begin with language study.

For the next four years Saul attended the Rabbi’s instruction. There he met Manaens, a lad two years older. He was shorter than Saul with a shock of black ringlets that appeared to have a mind of their own. He had a carriage about him that caught Saul’s attention. He was both humble and yet had the posture of an aristocrat. Intrigued, Saul stopped him the first week. Your name is Manaens, is it not?

Yes, and you are Saul, the tentmaker’s son.

"How is it that you know my father?’ wondered Saul.

Amplias ben Joshua, the tentmaker is famous. My father has purchased a number of tents from him.

Knowing that his father would like a report Saul inquired, I trust all have been satisfactory?

Much more than that. When we moved from Jerusalem and the court of King Herod, father inquired and was told that your father produced the best tents. My father has been pleased with all he purchased.

You were raised in the court of Herod the King? Awestruck, Saul added, Did you know Antipas?

Of course, he is my foster brother.

If you were raised in court, what are you doing here? inquired Saul with a bit of incredulity in his voice.

"Father did not like the atmosphere of the court. And when Antipas began to be cruel to me, he decided it was time to leave. We moved here and he set up an amphora ⁷ manufacture and shop. He did well enough two years ago that he expanded his shop and then last year set up a branch in Antioch. When I am old enough I will manage that shop on my own."

My father, Saul declared, is planning to set up a shop in Jerusalem. But how did you get into Herod’s court, if you are not family.

"My uncle, I was named after him, was an Essene. Herod, the King, wanted to ingratiate himself with the leaders in Jerusalem, so he convinced him to come to the palace. The king guaranteed Uncle would have ritually clean housing and food. Uncle Manaens asked my parents (father was not an Essene) to come to live with him at the palace to prepare meals and keep the quarters clean. As little boys Antipas and I were playmates. As we grew, I was smaller but could beat him at wrestling. One day the Steward whipped me for beating him and then warned Uncle that if I did it again my leg would be broken, making me a cripple.

After that Antipas began bullying me. Since I could no longer fight back, his brutality grew to the point where father insisted that we move out of Herod’s jurisdiction. We moved here when I was ten years old.

Saul became fast friends with Manaens, and as a result of his stories, developed an enmity towards the Herods.

Four hours each day in Rabbi Elaib’s school the students spent in drilling, drilling, drilling. Saul first learned the languages with all their idiosyncrasies. Once he had mastered them, and only then, was Saul allowed to hold the full scrolls of the God’s Word. He grew in appreciation and even adoration of God’s Word. Though Rabbi Eliab was severe with Saul’s mistakes, he was lavish in praise for his competence. Gradually, over the years, praise exceeded the criticisms.

Manaens, having been raised in a household that supported the Essene desire for purity, gave Saul a similar appreciation for the importance of ritual purity. The youth sought to live a more pure life, but he ran afoul of Miriam.

You are trying to tell me how to run my kitchen! In your kitchen you set the rules. In my kitchen I am rule-maker!

Saul realized it was not a fight he could win, nor did he want to be in contention with his mother, so he held his peace and planned for his own future.

Early, Saul discovered the primary feature of the Rabbi – his love for God’s Word. The Rabbi Eliab began and ended each session by lining from the Torah. Each time he lifted a scroll his countenance brightened as he kissed it, and then lovingly unrolled the Word of God. As he lined, whether the words declared blessing or judgment the Rabbi’s face glowed with an inner light. His handling and reading these scrolls bespoke a true and deep love for God’s Word.

As he strictly drilled Saul, the boy could tell that in the Rabbi’s heart there was no compromise toward handling of the Torah, the Prophets or the Writings – his own, Saul’s or anyone’s. Rabbi Eliab demanded excellence!

"Saul, Saul! You are touching the holy! Your eyes are scanning the undefiled! Your tongue is caressing the pure Word of God!

If you were standing before the Almighty, blessed be His name, would you offer him dregs? No! No! No! You wouldn’t even offer Him second best. You offer up only the purest of your flocks, the unspotted, as perfect offering. Offer Him now your best in your handling and lining of God’s Word.

You are an exceptional and gifted student! the Rabbi said in commendation, but you have greater depths of devotion to pour into those magnificent words! Go deeper! Use God’s gifts!

At first Saul was under the Rabbi’s instruction because it was the way many Hebrew sons were trained. From observing Rabbi Eliad’s love for God’s word, Saul began to transfer his efforts from the words on the page to the meaning.

As he paid strict attention to what God was saying to him, Saul found untapped emotions welling up unbidden. He discovered they were a mixture of awe and love. At first, his emotions were inspired by the meaning Saul gleaned from the texts. Near the close of his third year with Rabbi Eliab, Saul found the focus of his attention shifting from the text to God Himself. He had grown up believing in God, but this was different. God became real to Saul, no longer an assumed objective truth.

Saul’s belief had become a relationship. He knew the Almighty (blessed be His name) in ways different from the other boys his own age. The difference led Saul to consider most of his boyhood friends frivolous. When they ridiculed Saul after he told them he actually felt God’s hand on Him, he rejected most of his friends. His fervor led him to discount his early Greek schooling as well. He saw the shallowness of the Greek philosophy. It could not compare with the depth and richness, the reality of the Holy Scriptures.

The young lad grew in his desire to be God’s servant. His zeal made Saul impatient with those who loved God during the Sabbath, but ignored the Almighty at all other times. Saul not only said morning and evening Shemas, ⁸ as the Talmud required, but also prayed often throughout the day.

The more he studied the Prophets, the greater Saul’s fear of God’s judgment expanded: not so much for himself, but mostly for his people. As far as Saul could see from the people he knew, they fell far short of living undefiled lives. Perhaps in Jerusalem, the home of the Jews, he would see those undefiled that he longed to become. His longing to live in Jerusalem began then. It would be wonderful, Saul thought, "to live where I know everyone must live unspotted by the world."

The Passover before he was thirteen, both Saul and Ruth were old enough for Amplias to take the whole family to Jerusalem to celebrate.

My, son, declared Amplias, you are a descendant of the Tribe of Benjamin. Your lineage goes back unbroken to Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot twelve sons. Benjamin was the last to be born, but he was loved more than the others. Your heritage is of the best in Israel. To this oft repeated lineage, Amplias added, This year Ruth is old enough, so we will all go to Passover in Jerusalem. Saul was overjoyed. He would see those who truly lived the Law.

Once there, Saul’s fantasy of the Holy City was smashed by reality. Most of the people Saul met, and the many he observed, lived partly secular lives. They only gave God a nod during the feasts of the Jews. He was so gravely disappointed that he thought, How can anyone, how can I, be truly pure before the Lord? Father, he blurted, these people are living in the Holy Land, and yet they act as if they aren’t Jews

Ah, Saul, Amplias replied, most people find it hard to live according to the Law. The only ones who come close are the Pharisees. They are the only ones scrupulous on matters of the Law. They not only observe the Law scrupulously, but they expect others to do so.

So there are some people that are pure?

"Wellll …. I gather that the Pharisees are as holy as any man can be.

That’s what I want to be! Saul declared, not realizing the depth or the consequences of the life decision that he had made.

The Pharisees, Amplias observed, can only be pure because they are rich. Having plenty of talents frees them from hard manual labor. They can hire stewards to manage their businesses and their moneys. Thus they are free to obey all the laws.

Saul declared in his heart, Therefore, I too will be rich! Thus in his heart he made a second life decision

Upon returning to Tarsus, Saul devoted all his time away from school to his father’s business. He found that he could devote all his attention to school in the mornings and all of it to his father’s business in the afternoon. He was at his father’s elbow or under the chief slave, Abihu’s feet daily. Amplias indulged him and gave a running recital of what he was doing and why. But Abihu, the slave, was impatient with the youngster always underfoot. But as a slave, he kept his displeasure to himself. In forced pleasantness at first, he put up with Saul’s myriad questions. Yet, over time, he grew to respect the mind behind perceptive queries.

From his father, Saul learned the scope of the work of tentmaking, from buying, through manufacture to selling. Abihu, once he was convinced that this wasn’t a youthful lark, carefully answered Saul’s questions. Abihu began to give Saul the detailed answers that drew the boy deeper into the machinations of producing superior tents. Even though it was necessary to shoo Saul away at times, the boy never took offense, and was soon back with further questions.

The zeal Saul felt for God’s Scriptures, he found could expand to encompass the manufacture of tents. His study of Scripture and his learning the tentmaking trade consumed all his time and interest. He had no time for playing with neighbors or school mates. All the interests of other boys seemed frivolous. Much to Miriam’s disappointment, Saul had little time for Ruth.

Ehm, ⁹ Ruth complained, Saul won’t play with me! All he does is read those old scrolls. When I ask him, he just growls at me and says, ‘Leave me alone, I am too busy to play!’ He is no fun anymore!

I know, my mamtakhim, ¹⁰ Ruth understood her ehm was seeking to console her when she used the formal endearment, Saul is working hard to learn Abba’s trade and the Torah at the same time. He sometimes works too hard. Unhappily neither you nor I can dissuade him.

As Miriam watched her beloved son leave on the first buying trip with Amplias, she reflected on these last few years. She had been preparing for this day and dreading it, pushing back the fears which each of Amplias’ buying trips aroused in her heart. Now that her only son was going along, her fears had redoubled – happenstance injury, desert brigands, government harassment, drowning by flash flood in a wadi, all plagued Miriam’s heart. That day, still apprehensive after losing sight of them, for a long time, she scanned the deserted road to her door. Then she saw a head bobbing in an outright run. It was Saul. Her heart leaped, but immediately sank," has something bad happened this soon?"

She was content while her family was around her in Amplias’ tentmaking business. The months between stocking trips were such a blessing. The routines of the day with her family to care for and Ruth to train made her life a blessing from Adonai, blessed be His name. But even in the Lord’s providence the dangerous buying trips were a curse of constant worry.

Because of her anxious nature she clung to her little Saul. It was a great distress seeing him maturing to the point where he could accompany Amplias. These years of study had given her time with the maturing son; that is, until this last year. Ever since Passover, Saul had been so intently focused on both his studies and his father’s work he had no time for her. She barely saw him except at mealtimes. At least Saul had been home! She sought to delay Saul’s leaving, but her husband was adamant that his son would be emancipated and released to become a man with a man’s responsibility upon his bar Mizpah. Then when that had come and gone, the buying trip approached too fast for her.

Her heart quailed as the last preparations were complete. The leave-taking was strained. Miriam could barely muster a smile. Even Ruth sensed her ehm’s unease. All four knew what was not being said, so the last conversation was terse and the tension ran high. As a result the parting was unsatisfying. That kept Miriam standing at the door long after Amplias and Saul disappeared from sight.

As Saul trotted passed his mother, hoping to avoid direct contact, he gave a quick wave, and sped into the shop office. He grabbed Amplias’ satchel and turned to leave, running into Miriam. His hope to avoid her collapsed as she barred his way and enfolded Saul in her arms. As his mother wept over him, Saul’s heart melted. His resolve to avoid baby tears dissolved in the tears themselves. For a few moments mother and son were wrapped in one another’s arms in a satisfying, tearful goodbye hug.

Miriam released Saul and stepped back. With wet cheeks Saul smiled at his mother. Seeing the love in his eyes, she made her tone brusque, Shoo, off you go! Don’t make your father wait! Freed as he had not previously been, Saul turned and raced back. He stopped to turn and wave, and then disappeared. Miriam turned to embrace the weeping Ruth. Shush, now, mamtakhim. Your brother will be back, and you will be over missing him soon.

Handing his father the satchel, Saul remarked, You’ve never left all your papers before.

With a knowing smile, Amplias replied, Well, in the business of packing, I simply forgot it.

Saul realized his father’s sensitivity to his and his mother’s needs. He must have left it purposely to allow ehm and me to have a proper goodbye. His estimation of his father’s sensitivity under his brusque and business-like front grew.

Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia, on the Mediterranean Sea in the south central of what is now the nation of Turkey. The Tarsus River created an alluvial plain that proved to be both fertile for crops and raising animals. Cyprus was but a few miles offshore and a crossroads of commerce. It made for a busy Tarsus port and gave the city an international flavor. Inland, vast forests, rich farm and pasture land gave a second reason for the citizens of Tarsus to prosper.

The land rolls up to the low mountains on the north and east. The Cilician Gates were passes in the steep mountains to the north that allowed caravans and traders to pass from the highlands and then east down to the city on the plain. That mountainous region of Cilicia was home to multitudes of goats, so Cilicia became prominent as a source of goat’s hair cloth. Both the cloth and the hides were manufactured into tents and separation walls.

Saul’s father was an expert tentmaker and thus Saul became one, too. Ampilas was involved in all phases of the process. The tentmaker purchased the material directly from the herdsmen. Then he processed it into a useable form. The hair was washed and dyed, and then woven into cloth. From the pieces of cloth they could make tents to order. They tanned hides and trimmed them into pieces that could be sewn into a number of different finished products. After that first buying trip with his father, Saul began his apprenticeship.

Saul’s father was born in Tarsus to Joshua ben Eliab and Ruth bat Gidoni. ¹¹ They were out of the tribe of Benjamin and had pure Jewish heritage traced back to Abraham. Ampilas ben Joshua ¹² was one of the select Jews in the region to be granted Roman citizenship that was inheritable, due to his rescue of the governor of the region from embarrassment.

The Proconsul Junias notified Governor Osmaniye of Cilicia that he planned to make a state visit. Since it was to be a state occasion, the Governor called on his tentmaker, Aleppo. He wanted an elegant tent designed to protect the outdoor ceremonies from the glare of the sun. The design Aleppo showed the Governor pleased him greatly. They were in plenty of time for the tent to be in place prior to the Proconsul’s arrival. Tragically, the Governor’s tentmaker died just a week before he could finish the tent promised for the occasion, and only two weeks from the Proconsul’s arrival.

Casting about in desperation, several tentmakers told him that even taking over the deceased Aleppo’s work it would require more than three weeks to finish the tent. Osmaniye was faced with the embarrassment of either erecting a used, unworthy tent or using the uncompleted remnants of Aleppo’s work. While the Governor was fretting over this, his steward approached him hesitantly. Honored sir, I have a suggestion. There is another tentmaker. Unhappily he is a Jew.

At this point, I don’t care about that! Is he good?

Oh, yes, sir, his tents are of the best material and the finest hand craft.

Can he get it done in time? I’m about to offend my superior!

Honored sir, I cannot answer for the man.

Bring him here at once!

When an officer in the Governor’s guard stepped into his office unbidden, Amplias froze.

May I help …?

The Governor commands your presence. Come immediately! He turned on his heel and started away.

Amplias just had time to call Abihu to inform him to take over. Then he had to run in an unseemly manner to catch up. The officer marched him quick step through the streets to the gate of the Governor’s palace and past the guards, and then into the antechamber. As he was hurried along, Amplias searched his mind for what he could have done wrong. I have never done any work for the Governor. Who do I know who has the ear of the Governor? I don’t know if I have offended anyone so much that he would have appealed to the Governor?

Wait here!

Amplias, sweating less from the rapid pace, than from fear, barely had time to sit, before the door opened and the Governor’s steward said, Follow me! And Amplias was ushered into the Governor’s presence.

Are you a tentmaker? barked the Governor.

He is angry!" the thought came again. What have I done or who have I offended? With a dry mouth, Amplias responded, Yes, your honor. Wisely, he said no more, waiting.

How fast can you make a tent? Can you complete it in a week? I need it up and ready to furnish before the Proconsul Junias arrives in two weeks

Quite fast. But, excuse me your honor; before I commit to something I cannot possibly do, I must know the size and the design of the tent.

"A wise response. Steward! Give him Aleppo’s design and instruct him … what’s your name?

Amplias ben Joshua, your honor."

Show ben Joshua what Aleppo has done!

When Ampilas saw the design, he knew he could not only complete it, but improve on it as well. Yes, your honor, I can have it done in about ten days. It will not be up as early as you want, but it will be finished and erected in plenty of time to decorate and furnish it.

See to it! and the