As a sign of the covenant with Yahweh, we circumcised our male children within a few weeks of birth. Part of the ceremony was also the naming of the child. The father usually chose the name. Since my child had no living father, Papa would be responsible for selecting a name. He came to see me when my son was six days old.

Indicating that the circumcision ceremony would occur in two days, he told me he had been considering a name. He asked if I would accept the name Machir meaning bought with a price. Glad to be consulted, I told him I would prefer a name, which gave Yahweh glory. I suggested Shemaiah, Yahweh has heard. Knowing Papa would not miss the significance of Shem being part of the name, I hoped he would not refuse. I wanted my son to have the names of both his earthly and heavenly fathers.

Taking my son from me, Papa looked searchingly into his face. Laying him in his bed, Papa finally spoke, "I will name him Shemaiah. The mass of black curls and his long frame tell the story of his paternity. If Yahweh saw fit to heed your prayer and give you Shem's son, who am I to deny it? Yes, Shemaiah is a fitting name."

The morning of the ceremony dawned clear and beautiful. After eating a quick breakfast, I carefully removed my son's swaddling clothes. For the ceremony he would wear a miniature tunic I had sewn from soft cloth. Then I dressed in my best dress, covering it with my silk robe. This birth celebration would be different than most.

The mother usually stayed in the background, her participation limited to listening. Although the prescribed time of purification was complete after seven days, the women usually stayed in seclusion until the child was a month old. On the day of the rites, the father was the center of attention. Papa would act as father, but had decided I should be the one to bring the baby in and carry him out. I was a little nervous. Today my family would have to publicly accept my son who was conceived in disgrace. I worried that my brothers would be unable to accept the name I had chosen. Would they see it as a deliberate insult designed to mock their action against the Shechemites?

While I waited for Mama to come for me, I prayed for God to grant me his peace and strength. When she arrived, Mama spoke with a wisdom only God could have given her. "He is a comely child and you a radiant mother. No one seeing you can doubt Yahweh's blessing. It's strange, Dinah. Man will judge you on your outward appearance, but remember that God looks on the heart. He is the only important judge, and He has already given His blessing: a healthy, male child." Hearing this, I could go to face the assembly with head held high, God's peace in my heart.

When we arrived, everyone had already gathered in and around the tent of meeting. Mama and I made our way to the front where Papa and Reuben waited. Since Papa would be standing in as father, he had asked Reuben to perform the leadership role usually taken by the Patriarch. After giving the baby to Papa, Mama and I joined the women who were gathered on the left.

Raising his hands heavenward, Reuben intoned, "Blessed be the Lord our God, who has sanctified us and given us circumcision."

Holding my son high, Papa responded, "Who has sanctified us and has granted us to introduce this child into the covenant of Abraham our father."

Then Papa sat and a robe was placed in this lap. Reuben took the sharp tool reserved for circumcision and with two quick slices performed the operation. He then anointed the incision with oil. As my son wailed, Papa stood and proclaimed, "In the presence of the Lord, God and this assembly, I name this child Shemaiah. May God hear his cries as He heard the cries of his mother."

Bringing the child to where I stood, he handed him to me. As I cuddled the sobbing infant close, I walked through the crowd followed by Mama and Papa. I tried not to look into the crowd, but I could not miss the rustle of people moving to watch or the murmur that swept before us. As though sensing my uncertainty and discomfort, Simeon stepped from the crowd. Asking if he could carry Yahweh's blessing, he took Shemaiah and accompanied us to our tent where the family would partake of a celebration meal. I took Shemaiah in the back to rewrap and feed him. The other women served the men the special meal prepared for today.

When I returned, the men were finishing their meal. I placed the baby on a pallet near Papa where he could be admired by those coming to acknowledge his birth. Friends and relatives would come bearing gifts. Papa would welcome the men; I would receive the women. The other women and I ate quickly, not wanting to still be eating when the guests began to arrive. Those who came would be offered wine and fruit.

Guests soon began to appear. I tried to be gracious to the women while at the same time noting the men who came. There were two major surprises among the guests. One was a contingent of Shechemite women. Each brought a handmade treasure, some for my son and some for me. Sheerah introduced each to me. The goatherd who had warned Judith of Hurriya's danger spoke formally for the group. "There has been much enmity between our people and yours. We view the birth of your son as a sign of the gods' favor. Please accept us as friends who hold you in high respect and wish you peace." Concluding, she bowed her head, as one awaiting the reply of a superior.

Touching her on the head, I said, "I too wish you peace. Our home is yours; partake of our hospitality as valued friends. Your gifts will be treasured. My son will be told of the generous, forgiving nature of his people." With tears we embraced and kissed.

For a moment, our corner of the tent was bedlam as we welcomed one another. Sometime after we had settled with refreshment to sit and gossip, I noticed a commotion on the other side of the tent. Much to my amazement, Necho entered followed by two servants. With swift words and motions, he pointed the female servant in my direction. The male servant, bearing gifts, accompanied Necho to father.

I stood to welcome the female servant who bowed and said haltingly in our language a speech obviously memorized for the occasion. "Master Necho wishes you to accept this gift on the birth of your son as a sign of friendship between his family and yours." She held out a neatly folded fur.

Taking the fur I thanked her and offered refreshment. Noting the questioning look, I motioned to the food. Looking in the direction of her master and seeing he and the other servant were seated, she smiled and took some food. Placing the fur on the floor, I began to unfold it carefully. Lying with its width revealed, but still folded in half, I caressed the luxuriant fur. It was the perfect size for a child and would provide considerable warmth in the winter.

Opening the fur, I gasped in astonishment. Inside lay a beautiful white dress, as soft as silk but of some other fabric. It was made in the Egyptian style with a v-neck that crossed over the bosom. There was a slender turquoise girdle interwoven with gold threads. A matching neckpiece and armband of copper inlaid with turquoise stones completed the ensemble. I sat in stunned silence unable to fathom why a man we had met so recently would be so generous.

Shemaiah's squalling broke my reverie. Taking my son and retiring to the sleeping quarters to feed him, I contemplated the day. Simeon's unexpected gesture of support had begun a series of events I felt could have been arranged only by Yahweh. In gratitude, I acknowledged His involvement. I thanked Him for turning bitterness into love.

For both Simeon and the Shechemite women to accept Shemaiah was miraculous. I prayed that the women would come to understand that it was Yahweh's favor revealed in my son's birth. God's hand in these events was easy to recognize, but the generosity of Necho was another matter. Even as I thanked God, I puzzled over the matter. No answer came. It was as though God wanted me to accept it without explanation, content to know He was in control.

I was to need this assurance later in the evening. After all of the guests had left, Papa stayed indicating he wanted to talk to Mama and me. He showed us three beautiful pieces of cloth Necho had brought. One was a square of the same fabric of the dress. He had told Papa it was for me to fashion a headpiece and veil. A shorter piece like the girdle was to be used to hold it in place. The other fabrics were to make tunics for my son as he grew. Also included were matching threads to use in construction and a set of fine bone needles. Awed, I turned to Papa saying, "His generosity is unbelievable. Why would he honor us so?"

Replying, "We will discuss Necho later," Papa drew our attention to the other gifts. After he had identified each donor, he poured wine for the three of us. Only after we had drunk to Shemaiah's health and long life did Papa satisfy my curiosity. His words seared themselves into my mind for me to ponder again and again in the next few months. Only my earlier assurance of Yahweh's control kept away panic.

"Necho, is an Egyptian trader of great wealth. What he has given is no sacrifice­­ — for him it is a small gift. When he visited before, we shared in length. I came to respect his loyalty, his wisdom, his shrewdness. He told of his wife, once an Egyptian worshipper of the sun god. For years he tried to convince her of Yahweh's immanence.

She wanted to embrace Yahweh as one of many gods. On this one issue they differed. In business and family matters they were in agreement. Despite their love for one another, their marriage was not blessed by children. She petitioned her gods, but to no avail. Necho could have divorced her or taken a concubine, but he had no desire for other women. Finally he convinced her to test Yahweh. They would pray to Him for a son. If she conceived before her next period, she would cease to worship her gods until the child's birth. If the child were male, she would renounce her gods and embrace Yahweh. She did conceive and gave birth to a male child. Unfortunately the delivery was a difficult one. She lived, but would never again be able to conceive. Their son was named Abram in honor of the one who had introduced their family to Yahweh. When he was two, he suffered an accident and nearly died. Necho believed God saved Abram for a purpose and so dedicated him to Yahweh after his miraculous recovery."

Taking my hand and looking into my eyes, he continued. "You are probably wondering what all of this has to do with his generosity. You needed to hear Necho's story to understand what I will now tell you. Yesterday Necho asked if I had a daughter of marriageable age. His son is now ready to marry. Because of his dedication to Yahweh, he is unacceptable to the Egyptians. Even if this were not so, Necho would desire a wife who can support Abram in his worship. I dared not believe Necho would desire a young woman with a newborn, but I had to try. It seemed the perfect answer. After I told Necho of your past, I asked if you would be acceptable for his only son. An agreement was reached; I promised you as a bride for Abram. His gifts today are an indication of his acceptance of both you and your son."

Withdrawing my hands, I said, "You make me sound like a burden. After all I have been through, I am to be bartered to the only bidder and banished to a foreign land. Is it worth the price, Papa? You will soon be rid of your disgraceful daughter."

As I tried to stand, Mama's hand restrained me. "Wait, Dinah. Don't judge your father harshly. He only has your best interest at heart. Would you be content to live your life without a husband? Even if you would, would it be right to condemn your son to life without a father? How will Shemaiah feel when he is old enough to understand the gossip and innuendos? There will always be those here who bring up the past. In Egypt you can both start anew. There will be no one there to condemn"

"Think of the good things that can come from this union," Papa inserted. "You will be well cared for. You will live in comfort. Egypt is a distant land, but it will not be banishment. Necho's caravans travel through every year. Your husband might allow you to accompany him in the future. You will remain in a family dedicated to Yahweh. Shemaiah will be raised in respect. It is much more than I ever hoped to arrange for you."

Looking from one to the other, I said, "I see you have discussed this at length. For me it is all sudden and unexpected. I'm so confused. It will take much time and thought to adjust. Perhaps later I will be able to see it in the same light as you. Is that all? Am I free to go?"

"No," Papa responded, "there is one other matter. Necho's caravan will return to Egypt for the winter. In the summer it will come northward bringing both Necho and Abram. When they arrive late in the season, there will be a formal betrothal. Necho wishes for you to wear the dress he has given you when the families meet for the agreement. Afterwards the caravan will continue to the coast where they will spend the worst months of winter. When they return, you will be wed and accompany them to Egypt. Judith will be part of my bride's gift to you. If there are other mementos you desire to take with you, tell me. I want only your happiness, Dinah. This may appear to be a hasty, convenient disposal. It isn't. I have prayed ever since your return that Yahweh would work out a future for you. I do not believe it is coincidence that Necho and I met when we did. God has been at work in your life and in the life of Abram. I believe this marriage is God's making."

I retired with my mind reeling. My parent's arguments made sense, but my heart cried out against the marriage. The healing necessary to free me of Shem's death was incomplete. How could I leave everything familiar to go to a distant land with a man I had yet to meet? How could I perform my wifely duties with the specter of Shem between us? Only the remembrance of Yahweh's earlier guidance brought comfort. Cuddling my son close as he nursed, I had to believe that God was still in control. If the marriage were not of God, He could still abort it. Holding onto this thought, I slept.