SERVANTS OF
THE LORD
In this series we shall focus on a category of (generally)
nameless and overlooked characters in the Old Testament - the
servants. In the social and economic structures of the day, households
were large establishments, comprising the family, together with
the extended family of siblings, relatives, concubines, children
and a host of servants. Throughout the narrative of the Old Testament,
we read of servants doing their master's (or mistress') bidding
and were thus as much instruments of God's divine plan, though
in less obvious ways. What were their perceptions of Yahweh and
His human agents? How does God's Story look like from their eyes?
We shall imagine these things in this work of fiction.
We can only come to peace if
we had met God: Servant Bilhah
By KWA KIEM KIOK
I SHOULD be glad that I've got
sons rather than daughters. Two of them in fact, Dan and Naphtali.
Though I think I would like to have had daughters, they're sweeter
and gentler, even if they will soon leave you for their husband's
households. But then, if I didn't have boys, the mistress would
hear no end of it from Madam Leah, and then I would hear no end
of it from her.
This competition between the mistress and Madam Leah … how
long will it go on? There are enough boys for a tribe by now,
how many … 11 of them. Surely they should be satisfied?
It was my duty to lie with the master, even though it was not
what I had thought I would ever have to do. Not in this household,
since they worship a different God. Well, he's my God now, but
he is different from the gods of my family. So because of this
difference my mother had always told me that this was a good household
to work for, since she became a servant for the mistress. Now
it's my turn. Yes, it has been a good household to work in. No
beatings, adequate food, and now, with two sons … status.
Yes, this is what I have which my mother didn't have; I have a
status now as mother of my master's sons. Not the same status
as my mistress, but frankly, I wouldn't want to be her; she is
one jealous woman.
I've tried to tell her several
times, that she should be kinder to her sister, and not take things
so personally with Madam Leah. But it's too deep, I think, probably
goes back to a deprived childhood. So, yes, I'm quite happy with
where I am, mother of two of my master's sons.
Status is a good thing, though for a moment out there I almost
thought that we were going to be sold again. That loud bearded
man, obviously a man of the earth. The mistress said that he was
our Master's brother … but why was the Master afraid of him?
Why go through all that charade of breaking up into our families
and bowing to him, like we were his servants … I think what
really gets to me is how the Master has changed since that night.
Let me tell you what happened, it was only a couple of nights
ago.
We have been on this journey to our Master's land for some weeks
now, going at the pace of a camp with young children. The Master
led the way, deciding where and when to stop. We must have been
near our destination, because the Master sent messengers on ahead,
and they returned with a message from his brother. But that seemed
to have deeply unsettled the Master; even the mistress could not
seem to touch him. We went through the day, and prepared the meals
and cared for the children; but the Master, he was withdrawn,
restless.
Then the next night, night mind you, as if he were afraid and
had to move under cover of darkness; he woke us up and wanted
us to take the children across the river. Maybe no one could see
us, but I'm sure they could hear us clearly! The older children
were excited, the younger ones fretful, we were trying to pacify
them.
We found a sheltering place across the river, and the Master built
a fire. I tried to settle the little ones, took a while since
that Asher was wide awake and wanted to play. Anyway, I finally
helped Zilpah settle him; and then, as I was so tired, I tried
to sleep myself. But I heard them, my Master and someone else.
It was strange; because they weren't talking, but they were like,
grunting. There was movement. I don't really know what was going
on, it sounded like fighting. I fell asleep.
The next morning, the Master was changed. Physically, he had a
limp. So, I think I was right and there must have been fighting.
But more than that, he was a changed person. He looked like one
who had come to peace with himself, and accepted himself for who
he was. I believe we can only reach that stage if we have met
God, personally and profoundly.
Now where did I pack Dan's ochre tunic … I thought I put
it here … ah there it is. He would get upset if he can't
wear it for the feast tonight. - Genesis 30 - 35.
Kwa Kiem Kiok, a member of Trinity Methodist Church,
is on sabbatical at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, the
United States.
QUOTE:
A CHANGED PERSON
'The next morning, the Master … was a changed person.
He looked like one who had come to peace with himself, and accepted
himself for who he was. I believe we can only reach that stage
if we have met God, personally and profoundly.'