Welcome, dear reader!

For this story, we’re taking a trip way back in time to the land of Egypt. Remember the ten plagues they suffered? Ever wondered how the average Egyptian might have felt? Well, let’s take a walk with this Egyptian couple and see how they felt about all this.

Let’s go!

TABIA

“My lord, welcome home.”

Evening has arrived, and as always, my husband makes his way into the house, done with the day’s work.

“Thank you. Is my supper ready?” he asks.

“Yes, the table is ready, my lord.”

“Good.” He makes his way to the table, where his dinner has been laid out for him. Neatly and nicely arranged, just as he expects it to be done.

He nods in satisfaction at the food on the table, as well as the glass of wine next to it. He absolutely hates having dinner without some wine to complement it.

As he takes his seat, our two young boys come out from their room and rush to welcome him as usual. Ten year-old Binra and seven year-old Tuba.

As usual, his face lights up as they appear from their room to where we are seated. He’s such a proud father to these little boys of ours, and having them come to welcome him after a long day at work in the palace is a major highlight of his. It’s always lovely to see the pride he takes in having them as his sons.

He speaks to them for a few minutes, asking them how they spent their day and all that, then orders them to go back to their rooms before turning to the table laid before him.

As he begins eating, with me seated next to him, I humbly ask, “My lord, how was your day?”

He nods as he takes a few gulps of his wine. Then he responds, “It was good, it was good. It’s been business as usual these past couple of days. No disturbances from those men.”

I nod quietly and softly say, “That’s good.”

I know the men he’s talking about.

“Indeed. The Pharoah warned them to never come around again if they treasure their lives. I have a feeling that’s gonna be the end of all this madness we’ve had to endure.”

I nod again.

As my husband Tes-Amen ends the small talk to concentrate on his food, all I think to myself is… is it worth it?

Honestly, is it?

Yes, I get it. We need these Israelites for the hard work being done. We’ve got a lot of incomplete infrastructure that needs as many hands as possible to get it done, and once they leave, all of that will be in limbo. I totally understand.

But with what has happened in Egypt recently, is it worth it?

Ever since that man Moses and his assistant Aaron showed up at the palace and started telling our master the Pharoah that the Hebrew God wants his people to be set free to worship him, so much has happened, and it’s nowhere near pleasant.

From the invasion of frogs to that horrendous hailstorm to the pestilence that killed our livestock, it’s been one disaster after the other, and it’s been relentless. It honestly wouldn’t be out of place for me to say that Egypt is on its knees right now; it’s that terrible.

Yet, our master the Pharoah refuses to let them go. Every time he declines their request, something new comes up. And honestly, I’m just tired right now.

Why can’t we just let them go? Is it worth keeping them when we keep suffering all these catastrophes? For goodness sake, it’s been just a few days since we had to deal with sitting in abject darkness for three whole days! Three whole days of doing absolutely nothing, just being frozen in one spot due to a blackness so tangible, you can literally feel it!

Seriously, I don’t think it’s worth keeping them. I know my husband is saying they won’t show up again, but who knows? We can’t be sure if this is the end of it all. Whoever this God of theirs is, he seems pretty serious about having his people come to worship him. I honestly think the Pharoah should just let them go. Our nation’s been ravaged thanks to this, we need our peace.

But I dunno. The Pharaoh’s held on long enough. I dunno what’s gonna convince him at this stage. I can only hope for a sudden change of heart…

TES-AMEN

A few days have passed since my master the Pharaoh dismissed those Hebrew messengers from his presence, and I couldn’t be more relieved. That man Moses has been such a bother to us ever since he showed up with that message of his, talking about how their god wants them to be set free so they go out of Egypt to worship him.

Absolute gibberish, if you ask me!

You know how I knew this Moses man was just trying to pull a fast one over my master the Pharoah? When my master the Pharoah gave him and that assistant of his the opportunity to go, and they made it clear they were taking everything that belongs to them. And I mean everything: their sons and daughters, flocks and herds.

Madness!

I’d have had them struck down instantly if it were me. But yeah, my master the Pharoah is wiser than I, so never mind. All he did was tell them he’s only allowing the men to go, then had them thrown out.

And the last time they came, right after the darkness that hit us for a few days, my master the Pharaoh relented and said they can take their children along with them to go and worship their god, but they’ll need to leave their livestock behind. This man Moses had the gall to say that they had to take every single animal of theirs, because they’ll need to offer sacrifices, but they won’t know how to do it until they get there!

My master the Pharoah was livid as hell! This time, he kicked them out real good! Told them not to set foot in the palace again, or they’ll be dead.

Moses relented and said he’s not gonna see the face of my master the Pharoah again.

He better not, the disrespectful nonce.

Listen, when you’re in a place with authorities in charge, submit yourself to them! Don’t use your own set of rules to try and have your way. It’s not correct. That’s what this Moses man is doing, and it’s so irritating.

I still remember when he and that servant of his first came to the Pharaoh and told him what their god said. My master rightly responded, “And who is this god that I should listen to him and let the Hebrews go? I know nothing about him, and I will not let them go. Begone!”

It’s that simple. Whoever that Hebrew god is, he has no authority over here. None. My master the Pharaoh is king here, and it’s his word that stands. Period!

Anyways, I told my wife that he’s not come back to the palace since then, and won’t be coming back any time soon. She was all quiet as usual. I know she’s been thinking we should just let them go, and that it’s not worth it, and some other things. Well, at the end of the day, my master the Pharoah is the one who rules this land, and what he says is final. If he’s given certain commands and you’re not ready to obey, then you’re not serious about doing whatever worship you claim you have to do.

Well, it’s been a couple of days now. Everything’s been calm and cool so far. Let’s just hope it stays that way…

So we know that this husband and wife have very conflicting thoughts about this whole matter. Well, let’s go along…