Song of Life 19

Epilogue: Ruth’s wedding

The early harvest was complete in the land. Sarabek and Ruben were joyful and happy together. Chavvah and Sarabek had become good friends; Chavvah had sent a messenger home with John and Naomi to retrieve Sarabek’s hand loom. When the happy couple emerged from their seclusion a month after their wedding, the loom was waiting for Sarabek. She happily went to work on gifts for her new family and made a special shawl for Mirav, who delighted in serving the new princess. The summer had been peaceful and Reuwel and Chavvah had spent many days in the company of the young couple, imparting wisdom for the eventual days to come when they would go to eternal rest and Ruben and Sarabek would shoulder the responsibilities of rule.

Sarabek and Ruben were traveling together for the first time. They were returning to Sarabek’s village to attend Ruth’s wedding to her farmer. No one except John and Naomi knew; they had sent a messenger with word they were coming. They arrived in late afternoon the day before the wedding and were greeted with open arms. Everyone shed a few tears. Yacob and Mary were invited to supper; they didn’t know the secret. James was glad to see them too, surprised that his new brother-in-law would come but happy for his sister that he had. When Mary and Yacob arrived with little Samuel, more hugs and tears flooded the house and the evening meal was a feast of love. News of the city and the king and queen dominated the conversation and then talk turned to the grape harvest and the progress of the olive grove. At the end of the meal, Ruben picked up little Samuel and told him he would have a cousin next year. Naomi rose with a happy cry and hugged Sarabek. Hands were shaken and the mother-to-be hugged and everyone had another reason for the happiness they shared.

The next morning, the family took their offerings for the wedding feast to the family home of the young farmer. The men joined in walking to the bride’s home where Sarabek and Judith were waiting with their friend Ruth. Ruben was introduced to the men as Sarabek’s husband. Many seemed confused because they heard she had married a prince but this was one of the king’s shepherds from 2 years before. Ruben said he had come as a shepherd to woo his wife and the story became clear.

At Ruth’s home, the groom called for his bride and she and her friends came out to go to the wedding and feast. Sarabek and Judith were escorted by their husbands and the entire village was surprised and happy to see the prince and his princess were also still the shepherd and weaver they all loved. The wedding reminded the other two couples of their own ceremonies. Every couple took the chance to remember their own early years and the celebration took on meaning for everyone. As the feast ended and the newlyweds went to their new home, Sarabek had time to tell Judith of her news and Judith excitedly said she would have a baby next year too. The young women hugged one another and blessed their children. The village people all made it a point to shake Ruben’s hand and thank him for coming. Tired but happy, the people went home. They would never forget that their future king came and was still their friend.

***

This story came to me one day as I read the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) in the Old Testament. I had done a Bible study that pointed out its spiritual meaning for the believer and the church. What I saw was God writing a love letter, telling his people that one day their Shepherd would also be their King. You may have made the Good Shepherd your Savior. He also wants to be your King, not because He wants to rule but because He knows your heart will be happiest when it yields to His love and mercy. He is my Savior and my King. Look into His word today and make him yours as well. The journey with Him is blessed beyond measure.