The Child Madonna - Chapter 36 'Eli changes sides'

Chapter 36 I am Eli

I’ve got to get a grip of things. How I handle the next hour or so is going to be crucial to my standing and reputation. For weeks I’ve been working with the problems posed by my niece and her far-reaching and extravagant claims. Since her return from Ein-Karem, she has created a crisis which has been totally outside my control. Throughout I have assumed that I would be forced to balance the emotional outpourings of my own family with the lucid and uncompromising standards of the law, as advocated by my rabbinical colleagues. I have been girding myself to bring down the wrath and resentment not only of Anna, but of my own son and his wife, not to mention the frantic outcry of all their children. But such sacrifices of popularity, I persuaded myself, were necessary to uphold justice; if I refused to condemn the sinful, then my right to administer impartial judgement would be undermined.

And now, of all things, I find myself forced onto the defensive by my own colleagues, who’ve reminded me that a death judgement would be the second by this rabbinical court inside a year and lead to recriminations that we hold a barbarous court. They have also completely lost their nerve in face of the girl’s steadfast defence of her claims, the endorsement by Zechariah and now Joseph’s traumatic musings. Do not misunderstand me - I do not wish the girl dead. Over the years, I have invested heavily in her upbringing and her waste would be prodigious. On the other hand, I find the outright vindication of her position hard to stomach; I’d be much more relaxed if we had struck a compromise.

I accept that there is now sufficient ambiguity in the interpretation of recent events to justify suspension of our judgement. Whilst it is possible that Joseph and Mariam’s mother have conspired to invent evidence to back the girl’s claims - and both have considerable motive - I trust the young man’s apparent lack of guile. I do not believe he could practice deceit without some indication of his guilt. I also lean on Clopas’ views, normally a source of much commonsense; and he, of course, was alone with Mariam throughout the journey from Judea.

I find myself asking, does it matter what I believe? If the political implications of yet another Messianic claimant are sufficiently distant in time to ignore in the short term, should I not be thankful for a way out of a most embarrassing situation? If however, I was still certain that the girl was deceiving us deliberately, despite the beckoning call of expediency, I’d like to think I’d maintain my integrity. However, I have to admit she has me rattled. Despite the precociousness and audacity of her explanations, I give her a grudging respect. I have to be decisive. If I am to acknowledge that she may be right, it would be better to throw one’s whole self behind her claim, and glean at secondhand the authority reflected from her newly acquired status. Heaven help us all if her child turns out to be a girl!

In a few minutes’ time, the men of the village will be crowded into the synagogue, summoned to try and to condemn the girl.

“I think you should outline our findings,” says Jethro, passing the responsibility back to me, “you alone know the full story.” My reproof that his testimony might bear more weight because of its impartiality is dismissed by all the others. I sense a taste of ‘you forced us into this position by your advice - now get us out of it’.

Already knots of men are drifting through the outer courtyards and gathering in the main hall of the synagogue. I deliberate with Jethro, and when the majority have assembled, I call Anna to bring Mariam into the Women’s Court where she can be seen. At least the child looks angelic and vulnerable, without a trace of the elaborate artifice which so antagonised this village to Althaeus’ whore. I watch as the men look intently at her, through the partition, then, having satisfied their curiosity, turn to await my words. I take a deep breath and commit myself. There is no turning back.

“Greetings, brothers, peace to each of you. I make no apology for summoning you to this hearing, although since my call much new information has come to hand which alters the complexion of the matter of which we are to speak. I also declare my interest and involvement, for the matter to hand affects my own niece and ward, Mariam, daughter of Anna and of the late patriot, our kinsman, Joachim. I offered to cede the advocacy of the case to my colleague, Jethro, as he would claim greater impartiality, but my fellow rabbis wish me to present the case to you, as I am best acquainted with the relevant details. Brothers, I have to tell you of signs and answers to our prayers which bring much honour to our community, though should the heathen gentile or one of Herod’s treacherous informers betray us, we have much to fear.”

A low murmuring of resentment growls around the chamber. Good, I can build on this.

“Our daughter, Mariam, has been found with child. Her condition, as you see, is obvious to all.”

I hold up my arm to quell any surge of spontaneous expression of disgust.

“My initial reaction, like yours perhaps, was to blame her and her betrothed, Joseph of Bethlehem. But I soon established that Joseph was innocent of the deed. We sought to establish whether the girl had been assaulted, but she claimed an extraordinary tale. Although initially sceptical, my colleagues and I have tried to test or disprove her claims before bringing her to judgement before you. The girl has sought to convince us of a miraculous conception, beyond her understanding, accepted by her in abject deference to the will of the Almighty as made known to her.

Brothers, she was visited by a stranger who came and went at will, much like the blessed prophet, Elijah, as foretold in our Holy Writ. This angel, as I will deem him, unveiled God’s plan that she should conceive a son through the power of the Spirit of the Lord, though yet a virgin. We sought to test the Spirit by ordeal, the girl was flogged to the adult limit, yet the fragile lives of mother and child were spared. Despatched to Judea, to wait upon her cousin, she found that she too had been visited, and late in life was bearing a son whom also had been foretold in the scriptures. Attested by a priest of the High Temple in Jerusalem, Mariam returned to us, and promptly her betrothed, Joseph, was warned in a dream that he should not reject her - by many signs and indications that give proof that this can only be a part of God’s mysterious plan for us.

Brothers, do not condemn this girl, but support her and her family, in her time of honour. I propose that Joseph of Bethlehem, descended like Mariam herself, from our glorious ancestor, David, should wed the girl in due season but not be brought to her bed until her son is born so that the words of our prophet Isaiah may be fulfilled, ‘And a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son’. For brothers, our daughter here has been promised, no less, that she will be mother of David’s royal son, our king and deliverer from the hated foreigners, our long-awaited Messiah.”

A gasp and buzz of conversation fills the court. Before incredulity can grip the community, I turn for confirmation from those standing round me:

“Joseph of Bethlehem, do you so witness here before God and men?”

“Rabbi Eli, Jethro, Joel, brothers, I am so convinced. God has spoken to me in several ways, climaxing in a dream of clear intent.”

“And Clopas, have you not evidence also?”

“I witness conversations with Zechariah of Ein-Karem that confirm your every word, and I was bringer of a letter to you affirming his belief that Mariam had been blessed by God himself.”

“Jethro, have you not tested the evidence put before us, impartially to ensure I was not favouring my own household?”

“Rabbi Eli, I confirm your statements and strongly support your proposal that Mariam be wed to Joseph as soon as the child is born.”

We have presented a united front. The murmuring is of excitement, drama, astonishment. There is no voice of discontent. No-one seeks Mariam’s condemnation, she has no enemies, we have enabled them to clear her name. Assent by acclamation!

“Well handled, Eli, a masterly presentation!” My colleagues surround me and offer their congratulations. “Take the child yourself and indoctrinate her in all the prophecies so that she may do us credit in the eyes of God. You are well qualified to complete the task you have begun.”

Mariam has been released back to her mother’s home. Joseph is in residence with me, having completed his contract in Capernaum. I have not suggested any further work in that quarter, but have recommended his services in the immediate locality to the extent that he may remain under my roof until his marriage is consummated. I need now to consolidate this successful outcome through private discussions with all concerned. Joseph is my first responsibility.

I invite him to join my evening meal which Miriam has prepared for me and set out ready. I watch him, as he eats silently, waiting for me to speak. He is a strange young man in many ways - mature in self-containedness, his ability to cope with adversity; yet strangely shy in company, deferential, unsure in his own estimation. I feel naturally protective of him, as though he needs saving from himself. Despite his age, he seems still childlike in many ways.

“Joseph, are you pleased at the way things have turned out?”

“I am very grateful for your intervention, Eli, and the lead you gave today. Your opinion was vital, and the way you presented Mariam’s case to the assembly undoubtedly saved my betrothed’s life.”

“Thank you for your compliments, Joseph. I am relieved for both of you that we could produce such evidence to bolster Mariam’s claim. Do you agree with my suggestion that the wedding should follow immediately on the birth of Mariam’s son?”

“Yes, if you think that is the right and appropriate time.”

“Good. That is settled then. The child is due in a couple of months near the girl’s fourteenth birthday. You will of course take her into your house here. We will help you educate the child, and should you be away on business at any time, you will have full support from your family here.”

“I am grateful, Eli.”

“I shall settle some property of mine on the child. No-one shall say the Messiah lacked provision from his family; we shall give him the best start that any Jewish boy could envy.”

“You are most generous.”

“There is one other matter of which I wish to speak. There is a rumour reaching us from Tiberius that the Romans are proposing new taxation laws and will conduct a census where property and family must be registered. If this is the case, you will need to register your property in Bethlehem.”

“When is this likely to be?”

“I do not know for certain. Within the next few months for sure. I am reminded though of the Messianic prophecy of Micah that the expected one shall be born in Bethlehem, the town of your birth. Why don’t you take Mariam when she nears her time, stay for a while in your own property, let her fulfil the prophecy by giving birth there, and register at the same time? It makes much sense and could help in later years if there are arguments about her son’s authenticity.”

“But Eli, should she not be with her mother when her time comes? She will need the help and reassurance of her family, especially for a first child?”

“In an ideal situation I would agree with you. But what an opportunity to fulfil the scriptural prophecy - think how this will strengthen his claim when the time is ripe! Surely you have neighbours in Bethlehem who could help you with the girl? And look how God has protected her so far; he will not desert her at the last stage of fulfilling her destiny. Think about it. Do as I say, my son, and you’ll see God’s will enacted.”

“It is an idea. I’ll discuss it with Mari and her mother.”

“Joseph, take your own decisions. Mariam is already too strong-willed. Exert your authority. The Messiah needs your hand to guide him, a strong male influence. Do not pander to the women. Do as I say, Joseph - tell Mari that this is your decision. Then, when you return, we’ll celebrate. We’ll fete your son and prepare the wedding feast. A further idea, Joseph. If your son is born in Bethlehem, you can take him to the Temple to be circumcised and named - that would be fitting for the royal child. We’ll write to Zechariah, he’ll arrange things gladly.”

The next day I had a long talk with Anna and appraised her of my conversation and agreement with Joseph as I did not trust him to put his foot down with his mother-in-law to be! Then I sent the children out to play, so that I could talk to Mariam alone. I have to admit she looks a little wary of me.

“Mariam, are you grateful for your salvation?”

“Of course, sir. And I thank God that he answered my prayers.”

“He spoke to me too, Mariam, through your betrothed’s dream; I recognised God’s voice in what he described and saw my duty plainly. He showed me that it is my duty to act as head of the household here, to offer the surroundings of substance in which your son can be nurtured as a Jewish first-born should, of whom we should all be proud.”

I think for a moment I see a warning flashing of her eyes, that she would contradict me, or put an opposing plan, but she thinks better of it and murmurs appreciation. I tell her of the wedding plans and of my suggestion that she gives birth to the child in Bethlehem. To my surprise she makes no protest, none at all.

“And Mariam, I’ve decided to make time available every day to prepare you in the reading of the scriptures. We shall study all the passages that have any possible references to the Messiah, so that as the boy grows he too can be prepared for his destiny.”

“But uncle, what about my duties in the fields?”

“Forget these, Mariam. Your sisters are of an age when they can take these on; indeed, in recent times, in your absence, they’ve already done so. You’ve too much to do, preparing for your wedding and the birth of your child. Come in each day and clean Joseph’s room; prepare his food. Act towards him as a wife should, except save yourself for his bed until after your son is born.”

“Yes, uncle, I will do as you wish.”

“And one final thing, Mariam. Try to grow up a little, be more dignified. You are to be the mother of the Messiah. This requires you to have a certain presence, a seriousness of purpose, to be an example to Jewish womanhood. Cease your prancing about, frolicking with the children…….no, Mari, don’t protest, I’m not asking you to refrain from being with them. Just act with more authority. You are now their superior. Show it. Don’t act at their level all the time.”

She doesn’t say anything to this. I fear this is an area where my advice will not be heeded. She forgets herself when she is with the children. Perhaps as I teach her the awesomeness of her calling, perhaps then she’ll adopt the regality of her position. If God has chosen her, then he must also have chosen me to influence and mould her in the way she should disport herself.

I watch her go. I cannot tell how much she’s listened. Is she really grateful to me or does she blame me for doubting her in the first instance? I have the nagging fear that even now her supposed submission to my plans is but a mask. And what do I do if her ‘Messiah’ turns out to be a girl? Do I denounce her and accuse her of witchcraft, deceiving all of us? Perhaps it would be better to leave her quietly in Bethlehem, and let Joseph take responsibility for what to do. He can divorce her if he wishes, anything as long as he keeps her away from here. I’ll have to speak further to him, to cover ourselves should the worst happen.

*********

Interlude

Reader, watch with me once more.

Mari goes straight to the children, there is an explosion of mirth, combined of sheer relief, delight and excitement in equal measure overtopped by mutual love. Anna lets them be. Three months of tension pours out and drains away.

Yes, they all want to feel the baby. They can feel it move now. But they have Mari back, their Mari. Is she different? Not to them, she isn’t.

Two months pass. For the children, it is as if she had never gone away.