Rebekah's Treasure
Read Rebekah's Treasure Online
Authors: Sylvia Bambola
“Rebekah’s Treasure
by Sylvia Bambola is a tale that will capture your attention and heart. Set in war-torn Israel when zealots fought for the honor of the Temple and Jerusalem, when the majesty and might of Rome became a terror and a scourge, one Jewish family’s story twists and turns with passion, action, and love. This novel will not only entertain, but satisfy the most avid reader. Well done, Bambola. Well done.”
Barbara C. Nelson, author of
Women on a Mission
“Sylvia Bambola, in her historical novel,
Rebekah’s Treasure
, surrounds actual events with an intriguing fictional story and skillfully draws in the reader. Normally not a reader of fiction, myself, I found I was unable to put down this fascinating book until it was finished!”
Cindy Miller, author of
The Home That God Built
“To read
Rebekah’s Treasure
, by Sylvia Bambola, is to become engulfed in an intricate work of art. As your mind joins itself to the story, it will absorb the fibers and finely crafted strands of its tapestry until you are completely captivated. Rich in detail, reading this book is nearly like watching a movie. Bambola has done a remarkable job of deliberately weaving each carefully chosen thread into a story that will alter the way you view the past and the future . . . forever.”
Christina Cook Lee, music/media producer and author of
A Quest for Virtue
“Rebekah’s Treasure, a love story that unfolds in the midst of impossible circumstances, captivates the reader from the first page to the last. Drama, suspense, passion, faith—all the elements of a riveting read are found in this novel which follows a family torn apart by Jerusalem’s struggle for survival in 70 A.D. The author’s exquisite gift for storytelling combined with historically-accurate backdrops, make this book a treasure. I couldn’t put it down!”
Joanne Derstine Curphey, Director of Communications at Christian Retreat, columnist for
Today’s Seniors of America
, free-lance editor and writer.
“For everyone who enjoys historical fiction,
Rebekah’s Treasure
will be right up your alley. Sylvia Bambola has written an extremely well researched story of the fall of Jerusalem. For you who love love-stories, you’ll also find this book is for you. If you like mysteries, again this book is for you. I heartily recommend it.”
Joe Fouraker, Florida State Faith Fund Coordinator for Gideons International, on Board of Directors of Gospel Crusade, Northwest airlines 747 captain—retired, and history buff
S
YLVIA
B
AMBOLA
Heritage Publishing House
Bradenton, Florida
Also by Sylvia Bambola
Return to Appleton
Waters of Marah
Tears in a Bottle
Refiner’s Fire
A Vessel of Honor
__________________________
REBEKAH’S TREASURE
Published by Heritage Publishing House
Copyright © 2013 by Sylvia Bambola
ISBN 13: 978-0-9899707-4-7
ISBN: 0989970744
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013950475
Maps copyright © 2013 by Gina White
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769
The story and main characters in this novel are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is strictly coincidental. However, all historical novels must, of necessity, be based on fact, and I have tried to accurately portray the times and historical events that provide the novel’s backdrop.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission.
For information:
Heritage Publishing House
1767 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Bradenton, FL 34211
dedicated to
VINCENT
in loving memory
I can’t think of anything more important than family and I thank God for mine. They are surely among the best in the world.
A big “thank you” to my daughter, Gina, for her help in routing out those pesky misspelled words that neither I nor spell-check were able to discover; and also for researching, then creating her maps of ancient Jerusalem, Herod’s Temple and the Land of Israel; and this while recovering from major surgery.
Also, “thank you, thank you, thank you” to my son, Cord, who is forever helping me with my computer problems, and never complains or makes me feel I’m an intrusion no matter what hour of the day or night I call and cry “help!”.
Appreciation also goes to my church family and friends for their encouragement and help.
You are all such blessings!
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Luke 12:34
Rebekah's Treasure Readers Group Question
J
ERUSALEM
33 A.D.
“You’re not going to be a pest, are you, Rebekah?”
I hug the white limestone cup as I walk toward the long, low table without answering my sister. All the while my small fingers tighten around the plain bowl-like cup that has no handle or stem. “Where will the Master sit?”
“How should I know?” Judith says, stepping around one of our good damask-covered couches and placing bowls of herbs on the table.
“Because no one but the Master can use my cup.”
“Oh, stop being a nuisance and just give it to me!”
I hug the cup tighter to my chest. “You needn’t be cross. It’s not my fault that Anna dropped the tray of goblets this morning. Even Mama called her a clumsy servant.”
Judith turns to look at me, “Well . . . forget about Anna.”
Her long black hair falls over her face that everyone calls “pretty” and says looks like Mama’s. Even so, I see it. That small, rose-shaped birthmark on her right cheek. I know she hates it. She’s always fingering it as if wishing she could wipe it away like a spot of dirt. Mama says it’s Judith’s only flaw. Maybe that’s why I like looking at it.
“You know we now only have twelve goblets, and Mama said you must share since there will be thirteen around the table tonight. It’s not
my
idea, so stop fussing.” Judith tucks one hand under her chin, the way Mama does when telling me the matter is settled. “Stop acting like a baby.”
“I’m
not
. It’s just that . . . well . . . my cup is pure. Uncle Abner said so. You know he made it just for me in his cave workshop on Mt. Scopus. He said now that I’m six I should have a special cup for Passover and . . . I wanted to be the first to use it, that’s all.” I glare at my sister. It wasn’t easy being the youngest and always having to defend myself.
