Old Testament Legends eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 118 pages of information about Old Testament Legends.

Old Testament Legends eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 118 pages of information about Old Testament Legends.

Much more did Aseneth say in her prayer, but it is not written down here.  When she had ended, the morning star was just coming up in the east, and Aseneth rejoiced when she saw it and said, “Can it be that God has heard my prayer, and that this star is the herald of the light of the great day?” Then, in that part of the sky where the star was shining, there opened a little cleft in the heavens, and a bright light shone out of it:  so dazzling that she fell on her face upon the ashes.  And in the next instant there stood over her a man who was all flashing with light; and he called to her, “Aseneth, rise up.”  “Who can this be who calls me?” she said; “my door is barred and the tower is high.  No one can have come into my chamber.”  So she did not look up; but the man called to her again, “Aseneth, Aseneth!” And at last she answered, “Here am I, lord:  tell me, who art thou?” He answered, “I am the Prince of all the army of heaven; rise up and stand on your feet, and hear my words.”  Then for the first time she looked at him, and saw that he was in all things like Joseph, with royal robe, and crown and sceptre; but his face, and hair, and hands and feet were bright like the sun, and his eyes pierced like lightning; and again she was afraid, and fell on her face.  But he said, “Do not be afraid; hear what I am come to say to you.”  Thereupon she rose and stood up, weak as she was; and he bade her go into her inner chamber and put off her black robe, and the sackcloth and ashes, and bathe herself in clear water, and array herself in the noblest of her robes, and come back to him.

Now when this was done, and she had returned to him, fresh and beautiful as formerly, he spoke kindly to her, and blessed her and said, “God has heard your prayer:  He has looked upon your sorrow and tears, and has forgiven your sin.  Be of good cheer, for your name is written in the Book of Life, and shall no more be blotted out.  From this day forth you shall eat the bread of life and drink the cup of immortality, and be anointed with the oil of joy.  And a new name shall be given you, even the name of the City of Refuge; for as you have come to God for refuge, many shall in like manner come to Him through your example by repentance.  And now, behold, this day I shall go to Joseph, and tell him that which has befallen you, and he shall come to you this very day and make you his bride.  Make ready therefore and array yourself in the bridal robe that is laid up in your chamber, and put upon you all your elect ornaments, and prepare yourself to meet him.”

When Aseneth heard this joyful news, she fell on her face at the feet of the messenger and gave thanks to God; and, said she, “My lord, stay yet a little while, I pray you, and sit upon this couch, and I will set a table before you, and bread, and you shall eat; and I will bring you wine old and fragrant, and you shall drink, and so go on your way.”  For she did not know that it was an angel who had come to her.  And he said, “I will do so:  hasten therefore and make ready.”

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Old Testament Legends from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.