By the Waters of Kadesh (Journey to Canaan) Read online

  ACCLAIM FOR BY THE WATERS OF KADESH

  With By the Waters of Kadesh, Carole Towriss once again crafts a story that immediately grips the heart and mind. From the dry and barren desert to the exotic land of the Canaanites, readers are swept into a world of hope and despair, love and hatred, righteousness and some of the most unimaginable evil experienced by man. Each scene and character is so real, so dynamic, one feels as if they were actually there, with the Israelites, when they encounter a land and people groups so contrary to themselves, all they can do is tremble. And praise God He, and not those living in darkness, is in control.

  Jennifer Slattery

  Novel Reviews

  By the Waters of Kadesh is a heart-warming love story set in the midst of a gripping imagining of the twelve-man scouting mission into the Promised Land, Israel’s rejection of God’s plan to take the land, and their disastrous attempt to escape His judgment by invading after all. Carole Towriss expertly weaves romance, betrayal, intrigue, and adventure together to form a captivating story that you won’t want to put down.

  Elizabeth Maddrey

  Grant Us Grace Series: Wisdom to Know,

  Courage to Change, and Serenity to Accept

  Once again, Carole Towriss does a fabulous job of connecting modern readers with the past and bringing to life Bible stories through her Journey to Canaan Trilogy. Those who have read In the Shadow of the Sinai will enjoy this sequel as they become reacquainted with familiar characters (such as Kamose, a former Egyptian soldier and Ahmose, his nephew) and are introduced to new ones (including Tirzah, an Israelite widow, and her brother-in-law, Gaddiel). By the Waters of Kadesh is a delightful tale of romance and action that is sure not to disappoint. More than just an entertaining read, this novel delves into the topic of disappointment and leads readers to the One who can ultimately heal their heartache.

  Heidi Glick

  Dog Tags (Pelican Book Group)

  Carole Towriss has done it again! Not only does she take a story we already know and make it into a page-turner, she yanks us into an intriguing plot with twists and turns that leave us breathless. We can’t help but care about these characters that leap off the page and into our hearts. Well done, Carole! I’m looking forward to the next installment.

  Sandi Rog

  award-winning author of The Master’s Wall, Yahshua’s

  Bridge, and Walks Alone

  A beautifully written Biblical fiction, characters who put God and others heroically before themselves, and a romance that makes me realize there is such a thing as happily ever after: All these fit together in one engrossing novel, By the Waters of Kadesh.

  Anne Baxter Campbell

  author of The Truth Trilogy: A Roman’s Quest;

  Marcus, Centurion and What is Truth

  Ms. Towriss writes with rich, descriptive narrative, that will put the reader into the wilderness with the Israelites, and enable them to taste the manna, to experience the putting up and taking down of tents, and walking miles every day, to the emotions, fears, and blessings the Israelites experience. If you like Biblical fiction, you won’t want to miss By the Waters of Kadesh.

  Laura V. Hilton

  award-winning author of the Amish of Webster County series

  By the Waters of Kadesh is a moving story of Tirzah, a beautiful young Hebrew widow, as she makes the long trek with her people toward Canaan during the exodus. She finds love and protection in the arms of Kamose, an Egyptian soldier who, like Moses, forsook Egypt and cast his lot with God’s people. I was pulled into the story immediately and became an onlooker at every scene. The story twists and turns with surprises in every chapter.

  Tension and conflict lurk on every page. The story is told against the backdrop of Yahweh’s love and blessings, even amidst the broken pieces and frayed edges of life. I learned that Kadesh is as good as Canaan when God is there. Carole Towriss is a master storyteller.

  Dr. Art Criscoe

  Senior Editor, Christ to the World Ministries

  Beautifully written … a story of family, faith, and God’s love for His people.

  Tanya Eavenson

  author of Unconditional

  Carole Towriss’s By the Waters of Kadesh is an excellent sequel to In the Shadow of Sinai. Many of the same, beloved characters return in this story that covers the next big phase in the journey of the Children of Israel from Sinai to the borders of Canaan, the land God promised to His people. Kamose, the captain of Pharoah’s bodyguard who left all to follow Yahweh and His people into the wilderness, is asked to train the spies Moses chooses. But when his training is done, he no longer feels he has a purpose. Moses advises him to wait and Yahweh will reveal it to him. While he waits, he meets and falls in love with Tirzah—a beautiful widow with twin daughters—who also feels she has no value in Yahweh’s sight. The beautiful story of God’s love that results from these characters and their deepest longings is worthwhile reading. This is a biblical fiction author who is making an impact with her stories of God’s love, grace, and redemption.

  Marjorie Vawter

  Freelance editor and author of “A Shelter from the Storm” in Sundays in Fredericksburg (Barbour Publishing)

  By the Waters of Kadesh

  Carole Towriss

  DEWARD

  PUBLISHING COMPANY

  By the Waters of Kadesh

  DeWard Publishing Company, Ltd.

  P.O. Box 6259, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

  800.300.9778

  www.deward.com

  © 2013 Carole Towriss

  Cover Design by Reuben Rog

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Any emphasis to scripture quotations is added by the author.

  By the Waters of Kadesh is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America.

  ISBN: 978-1-936341-65-8

  Digital book(s) (epub and mobi) produced by Booknook.biz.

  For my God,

  who lifted me out of the mud and mire and set my feet on a rock.

  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

  Psalm 91.2

  Contents

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-one

  Twenty-two

  Acknowledgments

  One

  8th day of Ziv, Spring

  Wilderness of Zin

  Tirzah slipped out of the tent, her bare feet sinking into the warm, coarse sand. She dragged the flaps down and tied them together to shut out the fading evening light, and tiptoed away. She cast a look at Gaddiel sitting on the other side of the campfire as she sank to the ground and reached for a cold manna cake from the stack on the plate. The sweet, honeyed taste filled her mouth as she bit into it.

  She glanced past the rows of tent
s at the barren sand surrounding them as she chewed. Not a single sign of life broke through the gravelly sand; nothing could endure the blistering sun or evaporating winds of summer. Very little had survived the long, dry season of her life, either.

  The setting summer sun cast long, twisted shadows of the flames onto her tent. The fire danced and skipped. When was the last time she had that much energy? She was tired … so tired. She could barely hold her head up to take another bite. How did she get to this point? Why did Yahweh let things get this bad?

  She shoved the rest of the cake in her mouth. At least she liked the taste of manna, unlike most of those around her. One more and then a little goat’s milk. Maybe she could get some sleep tonight. She closed her eyes and let her head fall onto her raised knees, her long hair tumbling about her shoulders.

  A plaintive cry broke the stillness.

  Naomi. Tears pooled in Tirzah’s eyes. She delayed one more moment before putting her hand to the hot ground to push herself up.

  Gaddiel glared at her, his dark eyes flashing from beneath bushy brows.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll quiet her.”

  Her brother-in-law rose and disappeared into his own tent, pitched next to hers.

  She hustled into the tent. The child sat on her mat, eyes darting about, breathing raggedly, tears streaming down her face.

  “Hush, habibti. Back to sleep.”

  “I’m scared.” Naomi rubbed her fists into her eyes.

  “I know. But it’s all right. I’m here now. Back to sleep.” Tirzah eased her back down and lay next to her. She pulled her close and rubbed circles on the little girl’s tummy to comfort her until the child, not fully awake, rolled over and drifted off.

  Her twin sister lay fast asleep on the other side of her, undisturbed by the noise and movement.

  But Tirzah stared at the green stripe around the tent’s roof for hours.

  Again.

  Morning forced its way into the tent early. Tirzah peeked out and squinted as the sun bounced off the desert floor and into her eyes. A long-eared owl screeched as it returned to its nest after the night’s hunt. She shaded her eyes and looked above her. The glowing cloud of Yahweh’s presence hovered protectively over the camp, and the scent of burning wood and hot manna surrounded her. Sighing, she crawled out.

  She gathered a few twigs of dry brush and started a small fire, just enough to boil water. After quickly gathering the day’s manna, she tossed it into the pot and stirred it into a thick dough. She deftly formed it into cakes and placed them on a pan.

  Keren stumbled out of the tent.

  Tirzah turned from the fire and stretched out her arms. “Up first as usual, I see.” She pulled her daughter to her. The best part of her day. “Your sister still asleep?”

  “Uh huh. Should I wake her up?” Keren ran her hands through her hair, leaving it sticking out in several places.

  Tirzah chuckled and tried to smooth Keren’s locks, but the long, brown waves refused to stay behind her ears. “Yes, please. We have to go soon.” She flipped the cakes over.

  “Again?” Keren scrunched up her face and threw her head back.

  “Don’t whine, habibti. It won’t help. You know we have to follow the cloud.” Tirzah jabbed a finger at the sky with one hand and shooed Keren into the tent with the other.

  Keren disappeared inside and a few moments later reemerged with her sister.

  Naomi draped herself around Tirzah. “Morning, Imma.” She pulled back and kissed her mother.

  “Good morning, habibti. Did you sleep well?” She already knew the answer to her question. Naomi had awakened crying twice more.

  “No. Had bad dreams again.”

  Tirzah pushed Naomi’s hair from her eyes. “I’m sorry. Have some manna. We have to walk soon.” She gave each girl a cake, wrapping their little hands around them. “I made them big again so you only have to keep track of one. Hang on to them. Both hands.”

  She stood to strike the tent. First she tossed out the sleeping mats and their other meager possessions, then the willow poles. Sounds of collapsing tents, braying animals, and crying children filled the air.

  Thank Yahweh for the army tents Moses had appropriated for them at their first campsite fourteen months ago the night of the escape. Succoth was a large training ground for the Egyptians, stocked with tents and other needed supplies. There were more than enough tents for the Israelites, and they were easy to put up and take down, which was especially nice when no one was around to help. When the tent collapsed, she folded it neatly into a square and placed it into its pouch.

  She loaded everything onto their donkey. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Benjamin. I couldn’t possibly carry everything. I can barely keep up as it is.” She stroked his neck and offered him water. When he finished drinking, she tied the bowl to the last pack.

  The rest of her tribe had started without her, including Gaddiel. She breathed evenly, resisting the anger rising within her. It didn’t do any good. He demanded she cook for him three times a day, but never once had he lifted a finger to help her. When her husband was alive, he never had either. Since Gaddiel inherited all of Jediel’s property upon his death, she had to do his bidding just to be able to live in the tent and keep the donkey and one sheep. And he made it clear he thought he was generous with that.

  Tirzah slipped the girls’ sandals on their tiny feet, then picked up Keren and set her on top of the gear she’d strapped to Benjamin. She placed Naomi in front of Keren and the packs. “Hold on tight, girls.” After checking the ropes attaching the sheep to Benjamin, she picked up his lead rope and began the long, hot walk.

  Kamose brushed the dust from his face, dust kicked up by hundreds of thousands of sandaled feet, hooves, and wooden wheels. He loosed the leather thong at the base of his neck and ran his hands through his thick hair; they came away covered in grime. Soldiers walked for hours without kicking up dust. Why couldn’t these people learn to pick up their feet?

  His stomach growled and his legs ached. Eleven months in a lush valley at the foot of Mt. Sinai had made his warrior’s body soft, and now days of desert marching had taken their toll. He retied his hair and smiled as he recalled the place that had been his home for nearly a year.

  Ahmose tugged on his hand. “Uncle Kamose, will you carry me? I haven’t asked for two days. Just for a little while?”

  He grinned at the boy. “How old are you now?”

  “Nine. Just for a little while? Please?”

  Kamose swung the child onto his shoulders and grabbed his dirty feet.

  “Can’t we stop yet? It looks the same as where we camped last night.” Ahmose rested his chin on his uncle’s head.

  “We stop where the cloud stops, you know that. Where’s your pack?”

  “Bezalel traded some of the jewelry he made for a donkey. He put all the packs and tents on it so he can help Meri carry baby Adi. You can put yours on it, too, if you want.”

  “Sounds like a good trade for him.”

  More and more brush appeared under their feet, and soon tiny, yellow desert flowers sprang up here and there. Tall treetops appeared in the distance.

  “I think we’re almost there, habibi. I see date palms, and it looks like the cloud has stopped.” He gazed up at the glowing, puffy gift of Yahweh, thankful for its protection from the blazing late summer sun. “We should check with Joshua.”

  Up at the front of the group, Joshua’s lean form was a stark contrast to Moses’s shorter, stockier body. But even at eighty years old, Moses had no trouble keeping up with his young assistant.

  Joshua dropped back from Moses and fell in step with Kamose. “Moses says we’ll camp at Kadesh Barnea tonight. It’s an abundant oasis with four springs. There will be plenty of water for everyone, and all the animals, too. From there we’ll enter Canaan.”

  “I know it well. I headquartered there many times when I was in the army.”

  Kamose and Bezalel tossed packs from the donkey as they waited for the
Levites to mark off the outer court of the tabernacle. Several of the Levites laid down silver sockets in an enormous rectangle, and others followed, attaching the silver-plated acacia wood pillars. Behind them came still more Levites, connecting fabric to the tops of the pillars and stretching it out to the ground at an angle, forming a wall around the moveable dwelling that housed the presence of Yahweh.

  “Ever tire of watching them build it?” Kamose glanced at Bezalel as they stood on the edge of the activity.

  Bezalel shifted five-month-old Adi higher on his chest, then shook his head. “No. I am still amazed I had anything to do with it at all. I think my grandfather was right, that Yahweh planned this to be my life from the start, and that’s why I spent so much of it enslaved as an artisan in the palace. I hated it, but I learned everything I needed to know.” He smiled. “And I found Meri. And Ahmose, and you.”

  Moses’s tent was on the first row, facing the tabernacle with the rest of the Levites and priests. Leaving room for a walkway between Moses’s tent and the courtyard wall, Kamose pitched the tent he shared with Joshua and Ahmose with its back to Moses’s. Another row was setting up facing theirs with room for campfires in between. All around the tabernacle, in vast rectangles, the tribes set up their tents in neat rows. Judah was directly east, with Issachar and Zebulon on either side. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad were to the south. Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manassah camped to the west and Asher, Naphtali, and Dan settled north of the tabernacle.

  Kamose snapped the willow poles into place and stretched the tent over them almost without thought. After doing it eleven days in a row, he could do it in his sleep.

  He grabbed the corner of Bezalel’s tent and helped him finish. “Are we putting up a tent for your mother this time?”

  “Yes, but I’m not sure if she’ll stay in it. She’s been spending so much time with the midwives. I think she likes it there, likes being needed. She’ll be around often enough, though. She can’t stay away from her granddaughter very long.” He laughed as he glanced at Meri, who sat nearby with baby Adi.