Chapter – 12 ‘The Rabbi’s Sister on-Mission’
As Yosef and Rebekah left the loft of Valentines, she remarked, “I was caught off guard when your friend answered the door barefooted, wearing only a sleeveless t-shirt and brown shorts.” Yosef winked at her and said, “He was actually more handsome than I remembered; what do you think?” Her eyebrows lifted as she looked up toward his face; then she turned and continued to walk. She thought to herself, “I’m not biting on that comment, dear brother.”
Saturday evening was the ‘day of worship’ for Rebekah and her friends. She went early and helped set up the Worship CENTERS game room, which would be used after the devotional. As the new visitors along with the regulars started to arrive she was pleasantly surprised when the young woman entered the door. She quickly greeted her and introduced her to friends. Just moments before the devotional was to start; Rebekah walked toward the musician’s cluster. She played the fiddle for the two songs that would be sung.
A half dozen walked in just as the music started and took seats in the rear. Both the song and devotional were amazing. The topic was ‘all men have sinned’ Eccl. 7:20, & Romans 3:23; but concluded with the question, “What dear friend, is the Christian HOPE?” Titus 3:7.
Ans. – Our HOPE is to live eternally with Christ Jesus in heaven.
Valentine was in the back row and stood to look around; he did not see Rebekah but he did see Yosef so he started walking toward him. Just as he was about to tap Yosef on the shoulder a lady wearing all black taped Yosef’s shoulder. She was dressed to kill, as the old saying went. Long dark curls extended down to her shoulders and the light tint of olive skin just added to her beauty. Valentine stepped back and just starred at the woman. Yosef turned to her with a quick hug and commented, “Nice service Rebekah. Looks like a pretty full house tonight.”
Valentine took a double take on the woman. Yosef had called her Rebekah, “She wasn’t the same woman he had met a few days earlier, was she,” he was thinking? Moments later the woman looked up, she smiled at him and there was no denying she was the same woman, but transformed. He smiled back and reached his hand toward her as a greeting. She gave him a short firm grip then released his hand.
A short time later the crowd had gathered in a large room where there were snacks and some soft festive Jewish songs playing in the background. Valentine was invited to sit with a table of six, which included Yosef and his sister. She excused herself a few times to greet other friends but as she was coming back she met the eyes of Valentine on hers. Her heart fluttered a moment as he smiled toward her. “Get a grip girl,” she thought to herself.
Most had left for the evening but a few hung back to help tidy up the small kitchen area. Valentine was one of them; he ended up next to the sink drying dishes and putting several cups and small plates in the higher shelves that others could not reach. When all was in place Rebekah spoke, “Thank you all for staying behind to help me. I appreciate it and thanks’ to Yosef’s tall friend we didn’t need a stepstool to put some of the dishes away.” She nodded at Valentine and lipped a thank you.
Minutes later, Valentine was walking with three of them. The young lady had come alone and her room was on their way back. Her name was Leah, she had gone to America for college and then spent two years in the Israeli Army. She now worked as an architect developing land for housing projects. Yosef and she had a conversation going so Rebekah moved beside Valentine. “Besides Valentine, what is your name?” He told her that Jaye was what his family called him, “the military seems to go by last names from everyplace that I’ve been stationed.” It was general talk the remainder of the way until it was time for them to take separate paths.
Valentine was gone for three weeks living out of a tent about eighty miles southeast. Yosef was helping his sister canvas a new area of homes. She was glad since there had been a few cases where extreme domestic violence had happened in the new neighborhood. Two more young ladies had attended the CENTER that she had invited; even Leah had a girlfriend attend a Saturday evening meeting. It seemed to be slow but the Gospel, the WORD, was being shared and a small harvest of Christian believers was being seen.
It was about noon on the forth Saturday since Valentine had last been seen. Rebekah, Leah, and Yosef were at the CENTER preparing for the gathering, which was scheduled for later that evening. The main entry door opened and in stepped Valentine. He had a darker tan and looked a few pounds lighter; maybe just three or four. He waved and both twins hurried toward him with a greeting. Leah watched as they laughed and shook hands. She didn’t know the tall, Jaye fellow, well enough to join in the greeting.
Yosef noticed Leah so he walked back to where she was busy making napkins from paper towels. Valentine looked deep into Rebekah’s eyes and whispered, “One day I hope to get a greeting, like Peter wrote about in the last verse of his first epistle.” At just that moment Yosef was calling for him to come help with the planning.
The evening activity at the CENTER was actually crowded and a few chairs had to be added. The message was presented. The topic was from 1 Peter Chapter 5. “Humble yourselves and resist the devil. Have a firm faith even when you have to suffer, be as loving as the Lord was. And, Peter also wrote in vs.14, ‘Greet’ one another with a holy kiss of love.” Valentine glanced at Rebekah as the speaker concluded. Her mouth dropped open and she turned slightly in his direction and their eyes met for a moment; that is, until she looked down.
Attached
Titus 3:7, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life.
Eccl. 7:20, 20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.
Romans 3:23, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 Peter 4:8, What is the context of this verse? 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. [Ans. – Christian, try to overlook insults and unkindness against you]
DG