Hebrew Princess: An Ancient Love Story of Faith

By Rhonda Boehm

Hebrew Princess is the story of Sarah and Abraham, an Ancient Love Story of Faith that tells of their devotion to one another and their love for God.

Sarah and Abra

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rhonda Boehm Books
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088277027

Rhonda Boehm

Rhonda Boehm and her husband live in Texas, the loving "parents" of a black lab mix and a mixed-breed cat. Her grandchildren live nearby and love going to church and the movies with "Gigi."Now enjoying retirement and her new-found love of writing, Rhonda attends her church regularly and enjoys volunteering at a hospital. While working full time years ago, she went back to school part time and earned her Master's in Theology from Southern Methodist University.Rhonda writes historical Christian romances as well as contemporary romances. Always interested in writing about women for women, she says that Sarah and Hagar have been speaking to her for a long time. She loves attending her critique group regularly, an encouraging band of writers who help her to polish and update her books.

Book preview

9781088277027-ebookcover.jpg

Contents

Part 1 Abram

1 Haran, 2000 BC

2 Faith or Not Somewhere in the Desert

3 Canaan

4 Faithlessness

Part 2 Pharaoh

5 Egypt

6 Hagar

7 Five Kings

8 Hagar and Abram

Part 3 Hagar

9

10 Arrogance

11 Submission

12 Regrets

13 Ishmael

14 Circumcision

Part 4 Isaac

15 Angels

16 Sodom & Gomorrah

17 Gerar

18 Laughter

19 Inheritance

20 Banishment

21 Sacrifice

22 Rescue

23 Another Rescue

24 Long Life

Part 1

Abram

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot… Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran… Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.

Genesis 11:27, 30

Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)

Abraham and Sarah will be called Abram and Sarai until God, who is called Yahweh, changes their names.

Chapter 1

Haran, 2000 BC

"S arai, wake up, we’re moving!"

They were sleeping on the roof. It was summer and too hot to sleep indoors, so they were on the roof. The roof was flat, made of mud and chaff plaster, just right for sleeping. Her dry mouth made it difficult to talk.

What did you say, Abram? Sarai stirred, half asleep.

The wedding feast of Lot and Mara, Abram’s nephew, and now new niece, that lasted two weeks was finally over. Nahor and Milcah and the rest of their household had finally left Haran to travel back to their home. Sarai was getting some much needed rest.

Did he just say we are moving? Where to? I thought Abram was happy here. What is Abram doing awake? Sarai blinked to look at him. He was strong for a man of seventy-five. His crop of short curly hair and beard were still black, but he was beginning to gray at the temples. Sarai was ten years younger. She was in her sleeping tunic and her long ebony hair was braided.

Just past Abram, she could see the coal-black velvet sky. The stars were shimmering like diamonds, thousands of tiny points of lights glittering, lighting the heavens with a soft glow. There were so many stars all around them that she felt she could just reach out and gather a handful. As she looked at Abram she wondered where he had been if not asleep. Sarai could see the sheep on the hillside, some lying down and some stirring around, casting eerie moonlit shadows.

Sarai, Yahweh spoke to me tonight. He told me to move. He told me to go to the place he will show me. He said he will give me a great nation of children, my name will be famous and he will exalt me. And people will be blessed by me and through me. What do you think of that, Sarai? Me!? Abram caught his breath and held it in a mixture of disbelief and belief.

Chil-dren? Sarai stammered her eyes opening wide as she became interested.

Then Abram heaved a great sigh, as if he had not heard her. He hung his head, shamed at the thought of anyone being punished, and whispered, He also said those who are my enemies will be cursed.

Sarai caught her breath. What does that mean? Who are our enemies? They had a good life here in Samaria, a land of desert heat, towering gardens and immense wealth. Abram was way too old to move.

It is great here, Yahweh, except for having no children. Why move? Sarai questioned mentally. If we leave here, will that give us children? Sarai wondered. She had been barren all these years. The rest of Abram’s family flourished with children, but not Sarai.

Can this God hear me think? Will he be angry at me for questioning him? She had not been punished before when she doubted Yahweh. She felt guilty for not having the faith of Abram. She had faith in Abram but struggled with an invisible God who only talked to Abram.

Please give me faith, Sarai prayed one more time.

There are seven promises, Abram continued, that Yahweh gave me, Sarai. I think there are seven. Seven has special significance as the number of perfection. Let us count them.

One, he promised to make me a nation with children, Abram started pacing and running his hand through his hair as he spoke. Two, he said he will exalt me. He said he will make my name illustrious. That’s three. Four, I will be a blessing to others. People will be blessed by me. That’s five. Abram held up his hand showing five fingers.

Six, whoever attacks me, God will curse. Seven, all the people of the earth will be blessed through me. This means we will have children. Abram stopped and stood still right in front of her. Are you with child?

No, Abram. My time has passed. Sarai smiled at Abram, ever the romantic. No, she was not with child and not likely to get that way anytime soon, if ever.

But God said He will make me a nation. That means I have to have at least one child, Abram faltered.

Of course, you will, Sarai reassured him, as tears sprang to her eyes. She turned her head, avoiding his gaze. He might have children by someone else, but not by me, Sarai surprised herself at how bitter she was. She was barren, that ugly word.

Abram loved people and thought of the girls of Haran as his own daughters and the boys as his own sons. He had watched each grow up, and knew each child by name. To ask him to consider one of these girls as a second wife would be like asking him to marry his own daughter. He could never do that.

Besides, Abram had told her that this One True God, Yahweh, was going to give him a son. Tonight this same God told Abram he would become a leader of a great nation, with so many children they could not count them all.

No one can count the stars in the sky, Abram spoke again, his voice so low Sarai almost missed it. Or the grains of sand in the wilderness. That is how many children we will have.

This God would make Abram’s name great among all the tribes, among the world, and bless those who are good to Abram and curse those who attacked him.

Well, Sarai caught her breath as the tiny glimmer of hope formed mentally. If Yahweh could do all that, maybe, just maybe, he could give Abram a son, even by me.

Sarai was surprised that it only took a matter of weeks for her and Abram to pack up their household of servants, slaves, herdsmen and livestock to leave Haran. Abram even talked a few families with their households to accompany them. He was in a hurry to leave and start this new adventure.

Sarai! Abram bellowed as he walked into the house.

I am out here, Abram, Sarai answered. Out by the pond.

Lot and Mara are going to travel with us, Sarai. Abram spoke as he walked out to the garden. Lot, at long last, made a decision.

Are we still leaving in the morning? Sarai asked, looking around at her big beautiful garden inside her home. She hated to leave. Though she had no children, she had a garden full of flowers. There were vines hanging from the tree in the garden. There were two benches one on the west side of the garden and one on the east side. Everywhere she looked were flowers.

What are you doing out here? Abram asked looking around. No packing that I see. It is unlike you to not stay busy.

Memorizing, she said as she smiled at Abram.

Memorizing what? Abram scratched his head.

My garden and the beautiful flowers and shrubs, Sarai said with longing. Memorizing the house and how each room flows into the other. Memorizing Yahweh’s handiwork.

He does do a beautiful job, Abram smiled, especially in this garden. Then he frowned. We may not have as many pretty flowers on our travels. We might go through cities and towns or deserts and wilderness. I do not know yet.

If you do not know, yet, how will you know when we arrive?

Ah, that’s where faith comes in. Yahweh will tell us as we go, Abram said.

How can you be so sure?

I do not know, Sarai. I just know! Abram tilted his chin down and tried to look stern, but his eyes twinkled.

You do not know, but you know? Sarai closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, still not understanding.

That is right. When I get clearer about it, I will tell you, Abram beamed.

What were you telling me about Lot? She asked, changing the subject.

He and Mara are going with us on our journey, Abram’s smile was genuine and his eyes glowed with delight about this latest bit of information.

Why? Sarai looked at Abram, frowning. Mara does not want to come. She told me so last week. How did Lot talk her into it?

He decided they were going, no matter what she said.

It would not be wise to drag her along if she is going to be in a bad mood the whole time, Sarai looked at Abram, still frowning.

He says she’ll change.

She grew up here in the city of Haran, Sarai’s brows knit together and looked at Abram. She knows nothing about traveling in a caravan. None of do. It is going to be hard on all the women and children. The men too, even if they do not acknowledge it. Although the men and some of the children may call this journey an adventure. If she does not want to go and is in a foul mood the entire time, I will have to put up with her. Not him.

That is why we’re not moving so fast. Give everyone a chance to build up the physical strength we need as we walk, he sidestepped her question of Mara’s foul mood. It gives the people time to get used to walking miles all day long. Besides if we move too fast, the livestock will lose weight and would not sell well in the markets we pass. When we travel through those small towns and large cities, the animals need to be in prime condition in case we need to sell them. It is for the benefit of our people and animals alike to travel slowly.

Abram continued, Are you finished packing, yet?

Yes, just a few things to use first thing in the morning, Sarai sighed, and put her hand to her face and rubbed her forehead.

We leave with the first grey light of dawn, so we’ll be getting up in the dark, Abram looked at Sarai and cocked his head to the side. It will not be so bad. We might be back here one day.

It will not matter if we come back or not. You sold our house. Tears that had been at bay before now sprang into Sarai’s eyes. We were here for so many years. I thought we’d have grandchildren by now. Now we’re leaving. No children, no grandchildren, no house.

Sarai, Abram started, frowned, his mouth in a straight line, but his manner one of concern, not anger.

I need to finish packing, Sarai mumbled. She took a ragged breath, turned and walked out of the room, wiping her hands across her face to clear the tears away.

As she left, she noticed Abram just stood watching her, his mouth agape.

Sarai did not sleep, that night in anticipation of leaving. Dawn came much too early for her. She would probably sleep tonight. They were walking all the way to this new land that Yahweh had yet to show to Abram, and she expected to be tired.

Yahweh had just said Go, and Abram was following.

Sarai looked up as they walked out of the city gates. The sky was bigger out here where there were no buildings to block the sun, sky and clouds. Buildings made of brick and stone, buildings with walls and floors and doors to shut. Buildings held homes. Homes held her friends and their children. Would she ever see them again? Markets were between the buildings to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, extraordinary tarts from the baker and to visit with friends daily.

No more.

Sarai felt sorry for herself, no children, no grandchildren, and now no house with a garden. She wanted to flop down in the desert sand and cry, tears streaming down her face. Instead she walked, back straight, head held high, mouth set in a firm line, breathing deeply to keep from crying. She would not cry in front of all these people who came out to watch this little band start out. She could not cry in front of Abram’s people. He would be embarrassed. She walked. She did not like feeling this way.

One of their neighbors had bought the house. They packed everything they could possibly take that would fit on the back of a donkey. There were some things, though, larger pieces of furniture that would not fit. Things Sarai would have to give up and leave behind. That beautiful ivory table that her mother had given her. Sarai had several sets of dishes, but she was only able to pack one set and the most sturdy set, not the most beautiful and delicate set. It was left behind. Sarai sighed.

There was no staying behind. There was no work for a woman alone to do. Staying behind might force a woman into prostitution. No one would be sympathetic enough to hire her as a companion or a maid. Without her husband it implied that she had loose morals and he had divorced her. She could not claim widowhood, as her husband was still alive and the whole town knew it. They were not so well off that they could maintain two households either, the one here and the one traveling. Sarai wished for a moment that she could be a man, able to do what she wanted, go or stay when she wanted. But she was a woman, one who followed her husband, no matter what. How much would she have to give up to follow Abram and his new God? She was already giving up her home – how much more?

Of course, she would travel with him, he was her husband. Women were owned and protected by their fathers, then by their husbands, and next by their sons, when they had sons. She would go anywhere with him, whether she wanted to or not. Her father decided whom she married and her husband decided how she lived. What other way was there? Even the rich women and nobility were married off for a trade deal. There were some women that seemed to marry for love, but that seemed to be wealthy widows, not people like Abram and