Chapter Eight

Elizabeth bundled all the sweet bread she had made earlier that day. She took the bread outside and gave some to each of the men heading for Jerusalem.

Each was double checking the loads on their donkeys or mules. They tightened all the straps holding the bundles of goods to the animals. Some had animal skins, some cloth, others had herbs and spices collected from the desert or grown in small gardens surrounding their homes. Each hoping to trade their goods for as many items on their list as possible.

They would pass through the market district of Jerusalem before reaching the Temple. They should arrive early enough in the day to get their trading done before they have to be at the Temple to relieve the priests that had served the pervious week.

There were 14 priest all together including Zechariah. They varied in age from twenty to seventy seven. Ahimelech claimed to be the eldest. The rest quit arguing with him many years ago about his age. He seemed to grow three years older for every two they counted. No one really knew how old he was anymore.

Zechariah came next in age. The two would be riding donkeys most of the way. The younger men always gave up their animals for their elders when they went to serve. It was one of the small ways they sought to honor them.

They headed out while the sun was still high overhead. This time of year there was little relief from the sun till it set. Pashur and Jerimoth led the way out of town.

Miriam had come to visit Elizabeth as the priests arrived. She like to help her serve them their mid day meal before their journey. She and Elizabeth waved as the men disappeared over the crest of the hill that led them down through a ravine which marked the edge of the north side of town.

The two of them went back inside to clean up from the meal.

* * *

Zechariah looked around him at the priests he journeyed with.

There was Bukki. He was around thirty. He had three wives, three sons and five daughters. His latest wife Deborah was pregnant with her first. He was as good a carpenter as Zechariah had ever seen.

Abishua was a shepherd by trade. His wife Naomi always traveled with him to Jerusalem when he served but had not come along this time. He would have to bear all the grief for her absence alone. Her mother and father lived in Jerusalem and expected her to visit when he served. They had been married a couple of years now but still have no children. This would be another topic of discussion the in laws would burden him with. Zechariah wondered if he would wait until he had to leave to visit them.

Abiathar, the son of Hebron, was one of the most devout priests Zechariah had ever met. A widower of four years now, he lived alone. He had been married just a few months when his wife Esther had been killed by some lions while harvesting grapes from their vineyard. Their home was a little ways away from the village where they grew up. By the time he heard her screams it was too late. Zechariah had never known such grief himself. Even now Abiathar still bore the pain of his loss.

Ithamar, Phinehas, Jahzerah and Micah were brothers. Their father Samuel had been serving in the Temple for forty years now. Zechariah found it hard to remember a time when the five of them did not accompany him as he traveled to Jerusalem. They lived the furthest away, traveling a full days journey before reaching his home. They were good priests.

Libni normally traveled with his father Abihu. This was the second week of service his father would miss. He had fallen off the roof of their home some time back and broken his hip. The journey now was just too much for him, even on a donkey or a mule with a well padded saddle.

Berechiah, Obadiah, and Zerah were like sons to Zechariah. Having no children of his own, these men were as close to him as sons could be. He treasured their friendship. They lived only about an hour away and came to visit once or twice a month. They did much for him and Elizabeth. Their wives and children filled the void that barrenness had carved in both of their hearts. A void both he and Elizabeth had learned to bear with God’s grace. And these men and their families had brought much healing to both of them.

Pashur  and Jerimoth lived near Berechiah. Pashur frequently taught together with Berechiah at the synagogue and Zechariah always loved discussing Pashur’s teaching techniques. It is not always easy to get a young man to understand the Torah. Even harder to teach him to live by it.

Zechariah watched Berechiah slow his pace allowing him to come along side him.

“Zechariah, did I hear you and Elizabeth talking about trading for a cow?”

“Yes. Our last one died about a year ago and we kind of miss her. She was a gentle soul and gave much milk.”

“Yes. I miss her too. The merchant Heman came through our village abut a month ago on his way back from Egypt. He had some cows with him.”

“Probably all skin and bones if I know Heman.”

“Not as bad as you might think. He tried to sell me some but I did not need any. You know I have four cows and would be willing to sell you one,” Berechiah said.

“Yes I know. Elizabeth and I talked about that. But, I don’t want to take a cow away from you. I think we will be able to find an acceptable one at a fair price at the market.”

“Are you kidding me. This is Jerusalem. Much to our Lord’s displeasure, I don’t think you will ever find an acceptable animal for a fair price there.”

Zechariah laughed. “I have been praying my friend. I believe our Lord will provide.”

The small party of priests came to a steep descent leading into a dry river bed. Berechiah took the reigns from Zechariah and guided the animal slowly downward. Loose rocks made navigating the dusty path challenging. Both man and animal stepped and slid their way down to the river bed. A few months from now and the rainy season would begin to fill this river again. Towards the end of the season it would become nearly impassable.

They reached the bottom and resumed their pace until they reached the other side and began their ascent upwards. Dust devils swirled and danced past them, headed nowhere in particular. Lizards and scorpions raced for cover under the rocks that littered their path.

Zechariah pulled on the mane of his donkey and brought it to a stop at the top of the hill. He always like to stop here and drink in the sight of the Holy City off in the distance. It’s majestic rise beckoned him to give thanks to his God. The others gathered together to await Zechariah’s words.

“Gentlemen, behold, the City of David, the city of peace,” Zechariah said.

“Blessed is the name of the Lord our God who gave us this holy city,” they all spoke in unison.

Berechiah smiled at his old friend.

“How beautiful she is Zechariah,” Berechiah said.

“Yes. As beautiful as a rainbow in the sky. As beautiful as Rock Roses in full bloom.”

Zechariah lightly kicked the sides of his donkey and they continued their trek to Jerusalem.

© 2011 John Pearson All Rights Reserved.