I stood under the relentless gaze of the scorching sun, with its heat wrapping its arms around me. This season was the one I dreaded most – the heat seemed to consume anything in sight including the rivers and wells. Thank Jehovah, I had sufficient wells to last me and my large family.
The word ‘family’ sparked a chain of thoughts in my head. About ten decades and no child to my name, I would have put ‘yet’ but nothing good can come out of this old shriveled body of mine neither that of my wife so yeah, my family name was ending with me, my wealth inclusive.
Today was one of the days I longed for a child to call me ‘papa’ just the way Eleazar’s (my chief servant) son called him. It always rang melodies in my ears, but as destiny would have it, those melodies would never be mine.
The neighs of horses jolted me back to reality and I looked up to see three men riding towards my home along with a trail of dust.
“Who could they be?” I muttered.
Sarai was not expecting any guest, neither was I. More so, this was not the season of war, so it couldn’t be any of the kings.
However, with curiosity pulling my cloak towards them, I approached them.
With hands lifted up, I said “Peace, be unto thee. What has brought thee this way?”
As they drew closer, they came to a halt came down from their horses, with the way the horses looked, I bet they had travelled a thousand kilometers or more.
“We bring you good tidings”, said the youngest of the three men who now stood before me. “Good tidings? Of what good do I deserve those?”
“Receive us at your house, and we can discuss better.”
These were complete strangers, but something about them drew me in, and without thinking twice, I blurted, “Sure, be my guest. You seem to have travelled far, let me tend to your horses and to your stomachs as well.”
“SHALOM” they mouthed in unison.
With me leading the way, we entered into my lush visitors’ tent.
“Make yourselves comfortable, while I attend to some things. I would be back soon.” Walking out and leaving 3 strangers with supposed good tidings alone in my tent. I knew I was doing the right thing by bringing them home, I just hope Sarai felt the same way.
“Sarai, Sar…”
“My Lord, you are back so early from your walk. The sun must be too scorching.”
“Well, there is that, but that is not the main reason. I have brought visitors with good tidings.” I had to add the good tidings so it would occupy her thoughts rather than the visitors.
“Wow, it is a good time to receive gifts. Let me quickly hurry and prepare a delicacy to tend to their stomachs.”
“Oh, blessed be you, Sarai. I would serve them some milk and bread while you cook.”
“Amen and thank you, my Lord.”
Few minutes later…
“Shalom. Help yourselves to these snacks while the food is being prepared. My servants are tending to your horses as well.”
“Thank you for this great show of hospitality,” said the oldest of them all. “Without wasting much time, I would like to give you the good tidings.”
Strangely, the voice sounded familiar and as I was trying to recall where I had heard it…
“You would have a son, this time next year.”
Before I could process it, I heard Sarai’s laughter, I myself almost laughed as well. in fact, who wouldn’t?
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I heard the familiar voice say again.
“Nay, my Lord I replied.”
A myriad of thoughts ran races in my head, a child? In a year? My body? Sarai’s?
I guess we would wait till next year to find out.
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