Baara's Dreams

Chapter 5

When Baara entered the room with fresh water, she found Maacah once again reclining on the bed with her eyes closed. Fearing her mistress had again sunken into the abyss of pain, she quietly approached the bed. However, Maacah opened her eyes, offering reassurances that she was still pain free, only fatigued.

"You needn't tiptoe around me today," Maacah said with a smile. "I'm no longer in pain and will not bite your head off with poisonous verbiage. The goat's milk didn't upset my stomach, but it did awaken a profound hunger. Pour some water in the basin, and I will bathe while you go and fetch some breakfast."

Baara returned with a basin filled with delectables designed not only to appease her mistress's hunger, but also to help with healing any lingering symptoms of her illness. She brought leben, a soured-milk food believed to have the ability to make the sick man well. While leben was eaten often, even by the well, it was usually urged on those with maladies, particularly sicknesses of the stomach. She also brought the thin pita bread that could be used to dip the leben. Along with this staple, Baara included figs, pomegranates, olives, and honey. She also brought a small pitcher of wine, a drink also believed to have medicinal qualities.

When Baara entered the room, she found Maacah had bathed, dressed, uncovered the window, and opened the shutters. On the floor was spread a small cloth table with a couple of pillows thrown down for the comfort of the diners. Motioning to the table, Maacah invited Baara to join her for the meal, stating, "I know we have important matters to discuss, but first accept my hospitality as proof of my high regard for you and your ministrations to me during my illness. While our relationship has been damaged by the actions I saw as betrayal, your loving care has shown you meant no disloyalty. Perhaps partaking of a meal together will begin to heal the breach, and we'll be able to talk with candor afterwards."

Surprised and touched by the offer of peace, Baara said, "Mistress, I don't deserve your kindness. By extending this offer, you shame me with your underserved mercy. I humbly accept your offer of hospitality. May God's peace be with you."

After the food was set out, Baara offered the traditional pre-meal grace of "God be praised" before partaking of the food. After giving Baara an unreadable look, Maacah simply echoed Baara's blessing, and then they ate in silence.

After they had eaten their fill, Baara began to gather up the remnants to return them to the back, but Maacah reached out and stilled her busy hands, stating, "The cleaning chores can wait. It's time for us to talk."

Baara murmured, "Yes, mistress," and sat back, hands folded and eyes downcast, waiting for Maacah to pass judgment.

To her surprise, Maacah once again reached over and took one of Baara's small hands in her own. "I would prefer if you looked at me while we talked," Maacah said quietly. "You needn't look down like a frightened child who fears the wrath of her irate mother. I know I spoke harshly to you before I became ill. The combination of fear for your safety and the pain in my head caused me temporarily to act out of character. I'll not flog you for your disobedience. I'm now ready to hear the explanation I would not allow you to offer then."

As Maacah spoke, Baara slowly raised her eyes to her mistress's face. Instead of the anger she had seen previously, she saw only compassion.

"I do not deserve your compassion," Baara said quietly. "I know I acted in wanton disobedience and purposefully hid my actions from you. While the reason seemed sufficient at the time and I sought to spare you my problems, I see my action has brought pain and distrust instead."

Baara then told Maacah that her excursions to the well at midday had been a ploy to stay away from the snide remarks of jealous slaves who were envious of her position in the household. She begged her mistress not to take any action of retribution against the others. She told of Timna's defense of her and of the reluctant compliance of the others. She recounted how Yahweh had used even her disobedience to bring her into contact with another captive who worshipped Him.