The Gate of Heaven Read Free Page A

Rebekah clung to his hand and then whispered, “Sing to me some more, husband!”

    Rebekah awoke in the darkness, the babies within her stirring as if they were fighting to find their exit. Isaac was gone, for he sometimes went to check on the flocks at night. Fearful at being alone, she began to pray, remembering her father-in-law’s many encouragements to call on God often. “Keep praying, daughter, and one day God Most High will speak to you.”
    Rebekah did pray often, but she had never experienced the presence of God—at least not like the personal encounters Abraham described. “Oh, God, why do I feel like this? Something terrible is happening, and I am afraid! Please, God Most High, give me peace!”
    Even as she prayed Rebekah became aware of a presence in her tent. It was so strong she thought at first Isaac had returned, but then she knew that could not be. The tent was no longer dark; a light was glowing directly in front of her. Unlike the light of a candle or of an oil lamp, it was pure, strong, and steady. Intense fear paralyzed her. She lay absolutely still as the light grew stronger, and finally she whispered, “O God Most High, is it you?”
    Then a voice spoke to her—so gentle she could not be sure whether she heard it with her ears or discerned it in her heart. It was tender, yet strong. Powerful words filled her, words she knew she would never forget:
    â€œTwo nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
    Then the voice grew fainter and repeated the last part of the prophecy: “The older will serve the younger. Do not forget….”
    Rebekah’s vision blurred as her eyes filled with tears. She wiped them away and stared into the darkness. The strange light had dimmed, leaving her alone once again. She lay perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe, repeating what she had heard word for word, over and over, until the message was burned in her heart forever. Even though she did not understand the prophecy, she was filled with joy, for now she had met the God of Abraham, the One who was all-powerful!
    She laid her hands on her stomach and smiled. The children in her womb were peaceful and still. When her husband returned and lay down beside her, she whispered, “Isaac?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI…a strange thing has happened.”
    â€œWhat is it, wife?” Isaac listened as she spoke, and finally, when she fell silent, he said, “It must have been a dream, Rebekah.”
    Rebekah did not argue, but she knew it was no dream! She had been wide awake, and the words were etched on her spirit and her mind. She put out her hand, and Isaac held it. Firmly she said, “It was no dream, husband—and the older will serve the younger.”

    Old Bethez was the best midwife in the tribe and had witnessed hundreds of births. But she had never seen anything like this one! They had called her in the middle of the night, but she was used to that. It was often the time that little ones chose to make their entrance into the world. She did not hurry on her way to Isaac and Rebekah’s tent. After all, this was the woman’s first birth, and it would be long and difficult, especially as she was having twins. When Bethez and her assistant, Naomi, arrived at Rebekah’s tent, they were shocked to find that the labor had progressed so rapidly that the first infant was already emerging. The midwives rushed to assist, ushering the panicked father out of the tent as quickly as possible. Bethez soothed the mother, encouraging her to push and help the baby make its way out. As Rebekah strained with the effort, Bethez grabbed ahold of the baby’s shoulders and expertly guided the baby out fully. Both midwives gasped at the strange sight. The boy infant was covered with reddish hair! As they started to remove the child,