“Perhaps think on it, my lord,” Joseph said, not certain how far he should push the man.
“Yes.” He looked once more into Joseph’s eyes. “I will think on it. You are dismissed.”
Joseph left the audience hall, his thoughts whirling. Potiphar had never seemed the type to seduce a slave. Was Heba’s presence the difference? Why would such a comely woman be sold into slavery?
Perhaps for reasons not so different from his own.
He passed the weaving rooms without a glance inside. He couldn’t risk his feelings or his fears for Heba or any other woman in the house. Potiphar had an unwritten rule to protect his servants. But what if that had all changed? What should he do then?
21
Two days later Joseph met Hamid in the fields to inspect the grape harvest. Servants worked the rows, pulling the grapes from the vines and dropping them into wooden buckets to be pressed into wine.
“Things are going well, my lord,” Hamid said as he approached Joseph and bowed slightly.
Joseph nodded and walked with Hamid over the length of the vineyards. “I want to speak with you, Hamid,” he said. “Come with me to a quieter place.” He motioned to the edge of the field where no workers stood and no one could see them behind a copse of trees.
Hamid followed.
Joseph drew in a slow breath and released it, searching Hamid’s face. “I saw you the other night coming from Aneksi’s rooms.” He paused, letting the meaning of his words sink in.
Hamid’s eyes widened. He looked down and moved the dirt with his toe. “You knew of our relationship years ago, my lord. Did I not tell you this was likely why Potiphar chose you over me when he made you overseer so soon?”
“You did. And I have often wondered if you have resented my position.” Joseph clasped his hands behind his back, straightening to his full height.
Hamid shook his head. “No, my lord. I do not resent your good fortune. As I told you once before, everyone knows your god has blessed you and Potiphar’s house because of you.”
Joseph nodded. “I wonder if my God will also bless me with your friendship, Hamid. If you do not resent me, that is. I would like to think we could befriend one another.”
“Of course, my lord. You honor me to ask.” Hamid smiled.
“Then return to calling me Joseph. I did not tell Potiphar of your liaison with Aneksi, though he asked if she had visitors. I did not mention your name, but if he ever asks me outright, I cannot lie.”
Hamid nodded. “I will be more discreet then.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you for keeping our secret. She is impossible to resist, and I fear she will have me killed if I ever refuse her. Though . . .” He paused. “It is you she really wants.”
Joseph had sensed this was true, for she had now attempted to seduce him on several occasions. He had managed to slip away from her and stay out of her area of the house as often as he could.
“I am aware of her desires. But I cannot give in to them.” He looked beyond Hamid for a long moment, suddenly longing for home and wishing this trial and temptation had never arisen. “Can I still trust you, Hamid?” Joseph held his gaze.
Hamid’s expression softened, reminding Joseph of the man who had befriended him from the start. “I must be loyal to the master, as must you, but there is no reason we cannot share a bond as we began to when you first came here. You can trust me.”
Joseph allowed a small smile. “I would like a friend in this foreign place.” He would also like to know that should God ever get him out of Egypt, perhaps Hamid could return to Hebron with him and be free as well.
“You have my friendship and my allegiance as much as we both can give,” Hamid said.
Joseph touched Hamid’s shoulder. “Thank you. And I will keep your confidence. Perhaps Aneksi will stop pursuing me as long as she seems pleased with you. Though I wish Potiphar would give his affection to her so she does not sin with other men.”
Hamid gave him a curious look. “Sin? Do you think of me as one who sins then?”
Joseph swallowed, wishing back the words. He had spoken the truth, but had he just undone what he was trying to do? “We are all sinners in the eyes of my God. If you could avoid her, she would remain guilty, but you could stop. My God values turning from sin to Him.”
Hamid shook his head, then offered Joseph a smile. “I cannot stop her now, Joseph. I guess I will simply die a sinner then.”
They walked back to the vineyards to inspect the progress, but Joseph’s heart was heavy. How he would love to convince Hamid to believe in and obey the true God, the Creator God. But Egypt had no real concept of sin—only ways to appease the various gods they worshiped. They had no idea how great was the God they denied and did not know.
Perhaps one day they would see.
CANAAN, 1831 BC
Judah gently prodded a straying lamb with his staff, encouraging her to rejoin the flock. Er and Onan worked with him, but too often Judah had to remind them to watch the animals rather than run off to play. They were not yet men, but at nearly ten years old, Er was definitely old enough to be responsible. Judah had watched entire flocks on his own by that age.
Kaella had continued to spoil their sons, and though he tried, he was unable to undo her influence, especially when she fought against him in front of them. A deep sigh filled his chest. Perhaps Hirah had been right. Might it be time to choose a bride for Er to marry when he turned fifteen or sixteen? The young girl Tamar had caught his attention at the last feast. She was not Nadeem’s daughter but that of another man with seven daughters he must find husbands for.
He rolled the thought over in his mind, his gaze moving from the sheep to his sons. Er was tall for his age, and sometimes Judah had to remind himself that he was still a child. But he also couldn’t deny the fact that sometimes fathers arranged marriages far in advance of the actual wedding.
Did Er have an interest in girls yet? Should he ask the boy’s opinion of Tamar before making the decision? Judah balked at that thought. Er would have to accept his choice for him whether he liked it or not.
Yes. It was a good plan. He hadn’t been ready to admit Hirah was right a year ago, but if Judah secured the boy’s future, he would have a sense of rightness . . . and ease. If anything happened to him, he wanted Er to have a good woman to marry.
Judah led the flock toward a brook to drink, all the while making plans on how to request such a thing of Tamar’s father. And to convince Er this was a good choice.
The next evening, Judah closed the sheep in their pens and headed south toward the home of the young Tamar. Hirah had agreed to meet him there, though Judah had yet to tell Kaella what he intended to do. She had no way to stop him or to go against his choice. True, most men consulted their wives in such matters, but Judah was weary of fighting with Kaella, and this time he would make the decision.
The glow of the setting sun lit his way. The house was not far, and he lifted his head to see Hirah walking toward him.
“Are you sure you are ready for this?” Hirah asked, nodding in the direction of Tamar’s house.
“It was your idea. Why would you ask me if I have doubts?” Judah fought a sense of irritation.
“I simply want you to be sure. Yassib has many daughters. True, Tamar is closer to Er’s age, but she is older. I believe she is thirteen and could wed a man who wants her now. You might consider taking one of the younger daughters, that’s all.” Hirah lifted a brow, watching him closely.