The Gate of Heaven Read Free

how proud and happy I was when God Most High sent you to me and your mother.”
    Isaac had heard the story all of his life, how his mother had been childless until well past childbearing age. But God had appeared to his parents and told them that Sarah would have a child. Abraham and Sarah had never let their son forget that he was a very special gift from the Lord.
    Right now, however, Isaac was not feeling particularly special. His mind was troubled over the scene with the Hittites. He stared at the ground, tracing a pattern in the dust with the toe of his sandal. “I should have fought those men.”
    â€œNo, that would not have been wise,” Abraham countered.
    Isaac looked up, misery in his mild face. “Ishmael would have fought them.”
    â€œI suppose he would have.”
    At one time Abraham had fervently hoped that his firstborn son, Ishmael, would be the chosen of God to carry on the family line. But Ishmael was the son of Hagar, a mere bondservant, and God had made it clear that Isaac was the true son, the one chosen to carry on that line.
    Abraham noticed the troubled look on his son’s face. “You are the promised son, Isaac. There is no other like you, and I thank God for you every day of my life.”
    Isaac’s heart grew warm at his father’s praises, for he loved him dearly. He had always felt inadequate, however, compared to his stronger half brother, wondering if his father did not favor Ishmael over him. Isaac had never been a violent man and was not given to fighting, so he could not compete with Ishmael in battle. But Isaac was an excellent herdsman and took good care of his father’s flocks, helping the family to prosper. Still, even after all these years, he sometimes wondered if that was enough.
    â€œGo in and sit beside Rebekah, son,” Abraham said, breaking into his thoughts. “She needs you at this time.”
    â€œYes, Father.”
    Going back in the tent, Isaac sat down beside Rebekah. She reached out her hand, and he caught it and held it next to his cheek.
    â€œStay with me, husband. I’m so afraid!”
    â€œOf course I will.” He held her hand in both of his and then kissed it. He reached out and caressed her cheek and saw that this pleased her.
    â€œYou’re such a gentle man,” she said, smiling up at him. “You always were.”
    â€œI wish I were tougher like my father—or like Ishmael.”
    â€œNo! Don’t ever wish that,” Rebekah responded. “You’re just the husband I need.”
    â€œI don’t know, Rebekah. I didn’t even court you. My father arranged our marriage.”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter.”
    Isaac smiled at her but wondered if she really meant her words. After all, it had been his father who had sent his friend and the steward of his house, Eliezer, to find a bride for him.
    For Rebekah’s part, perhaps she did, at times, wish that Isaac were more forceful. But she had spoken the truth. He was a gentle man, exactly the kind of husband she needed.
    â€œI’ve thought so much lately of how I was unable to have children and how you prayed for me, Isaac.” She squeezed his hand and elicited a smile, despite his discomfort. “You prayed, and God Most High answered your prayer. I think that’s more important than being able to fight.”
    Her words pleased him, and he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I hope our son is just like you. Or better still, since we’re going to have two babies, I hope one of them will be a beautiful girl just like you.”
    Rebekah gripped Isaac’s hand. She would not have been so frightened if she carried only one baby in her womb, but she feared that the birth of twins would be more difficult than she could bear. She lay still as Isaac began to sing to her in his soothing voice. He was the best singer in the tribe, and he often made up love songs just for her that no one else ever heard.