The Story Begins

Ephrayim could not recall a single day in his life when he had not been a burden to those around him.  Although many children have early memories of a mother's care, later and stronger memories exist of learning to do things for oneself.  Not so for Ephrayim.  He had been born with legs that didn't work.  He couldn't walk or even sit up by himself.  His memories were of being carried, first as a small child, then a young man, and finally as a full-grown man who should have been carrying his own children.

His mother had given birth to nine children, four of which had lived to adulthood.  Considering their place in the social order of Jerusalem they had been lucky to have four survive, even though one was a cripple.  Ephrayim was the fourth born, and the first male child, hence his name, which meant 'doubly blessed'.  His father had worried that he might never have a son, although he dearly loved his daughters.  It was only as months passed and baby Ephrayim failed to roll over or scoot around that his parents realized that something was wrong.  His father had paid nearly a month's wages as a woodcutter to a Greek physician for an evaluation of the baby and hopefully to obtain a treatment to fix whatever was wrong.  The physician had been quite thorough.  He felt Ephrayim's limbs, had him move his arms and try to move his legs, and then had pinched him all over his body.  At the end he pronounced his diagnosis.  His legs would never move on their own and he would need to be carried and cared for his entire life.  The physician said this in sorrow, as the baby boy was handsome and intelligent.  He finished the visit with a pronouncement that it might be best for all if the infant was exposed, or left to die.  Ephrayim's mother, Miriam grabbed the baby and carried him from the room.  Sadly father paid the physician, murmuring that their religion forbid exposure or any type of infanticide.

That evening Miriam and Seth sat talking by the light of a single oil lamp after the children were asleep.  Miriam railed against God, who had burdened them with a helpless child.  Between caring for her children and keeping a kashrut household, she could barely get the work done every day. How could she cope with a helpless cripple, especially as he grew older?  Seth patiently listened to her complaints, knowing that there really was no acceptable solution for the problem that was Ephrayim. When she finished speaking and sat silently crying Seth simply said, "Yahweh will give us the strength and help we need as long as we trust and rely on Him.  He has given us this son and allowed him to live for a reason.  I believe he will be a double blessing - if not now, well then when he is older.  And I will help you, Miriam, as will our daughters as they grow older."

Miriam could not argue with Seth's strong faith.  God had done so much for him throughout his life.  Although born a slave, he had been freed by his master in his late twenties as a reward for over a decade of exemplary work.  He could cut more trees, finish more boards and have them delivered before the other slaves felled a single tree.  He still worked for his former master, but in a position of honor, supervising a work crew that often worked far outside the boundaries of Jerusalem.  The money he made was not a lot, but it allowed them to live in a small house in a crowded but safe part of Jerusalem. 

Caring for Ephrayim was easy when he was young.  Every baby and young child needs most everything done for him.  This was natural.  But as he became older and larger it became harder and more awkward.  Not because of anything that Ephrayim did or said.  He was a sweet-tempered boy.  It was just that an older child should be able to care for his own personal needs.  God knows, Ephrayim tried, and succeeded, in small ways.  He fed himself, as long as the food was brought to him and someone sat him up. He washed his face and brushed his hair, but that was the limit of his ability to care for himself.