Chapter – 14 ‘The Rabbi’s Sister watches a Gypsy Wedding’
Later in the month, on a Wednesday afternoon, Rebekah had been busy helping the Global Missions staff with a two year plan. The budget was the topic and the group were trying to calculate what type of budget increase would be needed. It seemed everyone was asked to do more with less every year. Mr. Traw commented, “Last year we were given a $1000 increase from the year prior and we need the same increase this year to do the same things.”
Now, two days later, when the proposal was finalized and approved from higher up on the executive totem pole, she was a little dejected with the outcome. There had been more than sixty professions of faith at the CENTER, over the eleven months she had been in Tel Aviv; now HQ was asking for $100 a week cut for running the center, which amounted to $5,200 for the year. How could the difference be made up?
She started walking toward her rental home but somehow she ended up near Valentines loft. Her mind was miles away as she walked in silence. Just as she was walking past the stairway entrance she was bumped by someone. She was about to lose her balance when a hand caught her arm and steadied her. It was Jaye, should she tell him her concerns? Before she knew what was happening she had unloaded her inner thoughts to him. Like many guys, he didn’t see what there was to worry about. He remarked, “Pass the plate or have a basket in the lounge area for donations. This is the only church that the majority attend and it would be similar to just taking an offering unto the Lord.”
She told him that the staff did not want the CENTER to depend on those attending to feel like they needed to give an offering. He commented, “I would bet ninety percent would toss ten bucks in the offering basket each week just to continue as you are doing.”
He started walking with her along the street and inquired, “I have an idea. Maybe a change or distraction is what you need. Have you ever been out on a geological dig before? We are on an interesting site right now, could you take ten days of vacation, furlough, or whatever you call it and join me? There are two college girls you could bunk with; they have a large tent.” She told him she would have to think about it and inquire if she could take the time off.
Sunday afternoon she was traveling southeast. They would be in the vicinity of the Dead Sea; an unexpected find was slowly unfolding. The second evening they were there proved to be unique to Rebekah. Valentine took her to a hill and pointed east. The modern shepherds who lived in tents, the ones who might have been called Gypsies in America, a hundred years earlier, were having a wedding. The groom John 3:29 from one local tribe and the bride from another. They had been engaged months earlier Math. 25:1-5 but now the groom was coming to take his bride home Rev.19:7-9. The groomsmen had prepared the festivities and were gathering the two tribes for the feast. The groom’s father, the Chief Shepherd, performed the ceremony.
As the wedding seemed to be concluding the groom of the beautiful bride motioned for certain individuals to separate into two groups Math. 25:31-32; it didn’t take long; when finished the Groom sent some away; then took his bride to a place prepared for their lodging John 14:1-3.
“What did you think of the unusual wedding out here in the desert,” Valentine asked? She told him it was quite unusual and touching; she had never seen anything like it before. As they walked he said, “Years ago my dad told a story of a wedding from the pulpit. It was to take place between the Son of God and HIS bride. Do you know the story?” Rebekah looked into his face and responded, “Yes, I have read about it several times and I look forward to becoming the bride at that final wedding.” Valentine reached for her hand as they continued to walk toward the work camp. She took a firm grip and thought in her mind, “What if?”
How about you? Are you prepared to be the bride of the Lord?
Attached
John 3:29, He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.
Matthew 25:1-5, 1Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. [Be prepared Christ follower]
Revelation 7:7-9, 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” [Who are those invited? Have you received an invitation?]
Matthew 25:31-32, 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
John 14:1-3, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe [trusting is part of believing] in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. [Jesus speaking]
DG