Kaella entered Judah’s tent three days later amid the biggest gathering of people and the wildest flowing of food and drink Judah had ever seen. Even his grandfather Laban had not entertained so many people. But Shua was a prominent man in the town, and Hirah was a close friend. His influence had gotten Judah exactly what he asked for.
And now she stood before him, the bridal tent dim with a few lamps, while the drum beat and the music played outside as though the entire town waited for them to become one.
Judah approached her, the first chance he’d had to even speak to her, and took her hand. “You are more beautiful than I remembered,” he said as he unwrapped the veil from around her face and neck, then continued to remove one garment after another. He leaned close and kissed her cheek, then let his lips travel over her face, her neck, until his mouth captured hers.
She did not speak, but he heard a little gasp of what he hoped was delight as he pulled her close, and when he kissed her, she responded in kind.
He held her at arm’s length and searched her face. “Do not fear me, Kaella. I will never hurt you.” He tugged her to his bed and set her among the cushions he had managed to purchase, then swiftly removed his clothes.
She gazed at him for a lengthy breath, then glanced beyond him, her cheeks turning a deeper pink. He couldn’t push her. It would be wrong to treat her as Dinah had been treated. But she was his wife. He’d placed the corner of his garment over her and had promised to protect her. Still, he wanted to hear her speak.
“Will you say nothing?” He wanted to know her, but should he talk to her first?
She smiled shyly and placed her arms slowly around his shoulders, drawing him to her. “We can talk after,” she whispered, as though she feared breaking the intensity of the moment. Surely she felt the charged air between them as he did.
And as soon as she spoke, he laughed. The drums outside spurred the blood pumping through his veins.
When he later emerged from the tent, cheers erupted, and he smiled as he joined the other men. Kaella remained secluded from the watching eyes of onlookers. She was his now, and his she would remain.
EGYPT, 1840 BC
Joseph looked up from the table in the outer portico, where he worked on a list of items recently purchased by Hamid. Joseph had risen above Hamid in Potiphar’s eyes, which often made him wonder if Hamid held animosity toward him.
But Potiphar had insisted that Joseph check to see if Hamid had recorded everything correctly. So Joseph obeyed. Hamid was thorough, and though Joseph never found a mistake, Potiphar still seemed unwilling to fully trust his steward. Could it be because he knew Hamid had been with his wife and therefore Potiphar had lost faith in him? But if he knew, would he not have thrown the man in prison or had him killed?
Joseph glanced across the vast estate to the blue sky and the few clouds that fringed the tops of the tall, swaying palm trees. The time since he had entered Egypt seemed both short and long, and he was grateful for work to keep his mind off all he had lost. Though he could not forget what his brothers had done to him, God had blessed him.
He turned at the sound of footsteps on the tile floor coming from the inner court. Hamid appeared, carrying a scroll.
“Greetings, Hamid,” Joseph said, smiling.
Hamid bowed, and Joseph tried not to squirm. “My lord,” he said, handing Joseph the scroll. “Here is another list from the master’s storage keeper.”
Joseph took the scroll. Potiphar would want an accounting of this too. “Thank you.” He placed the scroll on the table beside a pile of others.
“The master also has asked to see you tonight when he returns from his duties. He said to come to his private quarters.” Hamid’s lips thinned into a straight line, and Joseph was not sure how to read his expression.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, resting an elbow on the table and setting the reed writing utensil in its holder.
Hamid shook his head, then looked at his feet. At last he met Joseph’s gaze once more. “May I speak freely?”
“I wish you would. I have few in my life that I can trust, considering I could not even trust my own flesh and blood.” Joseph crossed his arms, searching Hamid’s dark eyes.
“I have been with the master many years now.” Hamid glanced about as if to make sure no one could overhear him. “I thought one day the master would raise my position to personal attendant. But that is not to be.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” Joseph said, extending a hand toward him. “The master’s personal attendant may one day leave or be given a different job, and you will take his place.”
Hamid nodded. “This was my hope. But I believe the master is going to give that job to you.”
Joseph raised a brow. “I have not worked here long enough for that.”
“But it is clear the Lord is with you, and everything you touch is blessed. Even I can see that, and it is not hidden from Potiphar that you are blessed of the gods.” Hamid glanced about again.
“If I am blessed, it is the Lord, the God of my fathers, who has blessed me. If Potiphar is blessed because of me, I am grateful, but that is not of my doing.” He touched his chin, a thousand thoughts running through his head.
Hamid remained silent for a few moments, then straightened and stepped a little closer. “I believe you are blessed of your god, not the gods of Egypt. They do not bless a man, and our master knows this. You will go far in this land as long as your god is with you. And I will not because my favor comes from the master’s wife more than it does from the master.” He twisted the sash at his waist, his face darkening as if he was embarrassed to admit it.
“I hope you will rise along with me, if that is God’s will for me, Hamid. I trust you, and I hope we will work long together.” Joseph stood and bowed to the man, though it was not proper protocol to do so.
Hamid bowed in return, still seemingly embarrassed. “I would be honored to serve you, my lord.”
“Please call me Joseph when we are alone. I am not used to ‘my lord.’”
“Joseph. When we are alone.” Hamid smiled, and Joseph prayed the smile was genuine. How easily was he deceived? He had trusted his brothers, and they had betrayed him. Was he being foolish to trust a man whom he had surpassed?
Adonai, please give me wisdom.
Later that evening Joseph answered a summons to Potiphar’s private chambers, where few were ever invited. Joseph entered the ornate room with gold trim along the tops of the walls and gilded couches placed in a half circle. Blue and green tiles that shimmered like glass were placed in intricate patterns along the floor. Tall pillars lined the walls, made from the best cedars from Lebanon and also plated in gold.
Potiphar was already seated on one of the couches when Joseph arrived. Joseph came close and bowed with his face to the ground.
“Stand, Joseph. I would speak with you face-to-face.” Potiphar no longer needed an interpreter, as God had given Joseph a quick understanding of the Egyptian tongue.
Joseph stood and looked into Potiphar’s kohl-rimmed eyes. “Yes, my lord. How can I serve you, my lord?” He glanced at his feet, then thought better of it and kept his gaze steady.
“I know how successful I have become since you came here. Everything you have done has multiplied my earnings beyond what I have ever seen. Therefore, I have decided you should become my personal attendant and be in charge of my entire household and all that I own. I’m entrusting it all to you.” Potiphar studied him, and Joseph knew he expected a pleased reaction. Hadn’t Hamid warned him this would happen?