Dinah

Chapter 15

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.