The idolatrous have reached out their hands in marriage
and wedded the Hebrews away from the God of Abraham. When did an
Egyptian desert his gods for the faith of the Hebrew he took in
marriage? Not at any time. Therefore have we fed the shrines of the
idols and increased the numbers of the idolaters and behold, the hosts
of Jehovah have dwindled to naught. Therefore is He wroth with us, and
justly. For are there not pitiful shrines to Ra, Ptah and Amen within
the boundaries of Goshen? Nay, I wed not with an idolater," she
concluded firmly.
Deborah's wrinkled face lighted and she put a tender arm about the girl.
"Of a truth, then, it is for me that thou wouldst avoid the quarries,"
she said. "I did but try thee, Rachel."
Rachel looked at her reproachfully, but the old woman smiled and drew
her out into the open.
Without, Israel of Pa-Ramesu made ready to surrender a tenth of her
number to the newest task laid on it by the Pharaoh. Quarrying was
unusual labor for an Israelite and the name carried terror with it.
Long had it meant heavy punishment for the malefactor and now was the
Hebrew to take up its bitter life. The hard form of oppression
following so closely upon the promise of liberty by Moses had
diversified effects upon the camp.
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