Stringing This Novel

Chapter links and structure of the whole

The Bible is a deliberate work of artistry. Yes, it’s only words. We’ve lost the melodies that went with the Psalm lyrics. Moses didn’t leave his sketchpad behind so we could see what he saw. Martha did not leave behind a cookbook. And nobody handed Paul a camera.

But, like every other part of His creation, God’s written mastery is evident at all levels and from every point of view. To get the job done, all He needed were these words. I’ve never seen a book to rival it. There are mathematical patterns and poetic chiasmi and symbolic colors and beautiful puns and mind-bending concepts woven throughout.

And they are beautiful to behold. Over and over again.

Although I’ve read and reread the same words my entire life, I am continually pulling out something new. Not because the words change. But because I do. I am standing in a new place in my journey each day. Perforce, my POV has shifted along with my growth. And still, His vibrant word greets me there. Just as relevant as always.

I never see it coming. But really… I should know better by now.

So, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that my humble efforts to retell a story resulted in a nice symmetry. Once I typed The End and stepped back to get a look, I was pleased to discover unplanned patterns woven into the whole.

(I call it stringing pearls. And so does Miri. But this is a post all to itself for later.)

Each chapter is a pearl. We have three Parts, or strands of pearls, of varying lengths, forming this novel. Three prologues form the clasp from which the book hangs.

And the epilogue dangles like a glowing teardrop pearl from the bottom.

Much like the opening sentences in the book:

“My village of Bethany hangs like a simple pearl earring on the mountain-head that bears the crown of Israel: Jerusalem. When ascending by the eastern road, admirers captivated with their bejeweled darling easily overlook us.”

There are exactly fifty chapters. Seven sets of seven brings us to the number of Jubilee. And for this little village, the place of release in their story. This is not Jesus’ story. But without Jesus, their story (as well as your own) could not have been told.

If you have some idea of ancient medicine, cooking, or economics, you will immediately grasp the trail of Chapter titles. The herbs deliberately draw your attention to a dirty, daily, humble reality. On the surface, this is a story of survival told by two women full of grit.

But what forms pearls? I want you to see the comparison and contrast and parallels to tending the human heart. The spiritual possibilities when you spend a lifetime covering an irritation with thin layers of grace.

How does your garden grow? In tidy rows? In utter chaos? Does it pay your bills or feed your family?

Could it save your life?

If you look up the definition of the name, Bethany, you will see there are options. Wildly different meanings, implying several different slants on an obscure village. How strange. Until the story grew beneath my fingers and each manifestation of the word Bethany rolled by in turn, making complete sense. The Part titles are perfect.

Bethany moves through four distinct stages that define it, each stage growing naturally into the next as the story of Martha, Miri, and Lazarus evolves.

Only they will see each stage clearly and all that it encompasses for their family.

Only they know the whole story.

And now you do, too.

Photo by Parham Moieni on Unsplash

Prologues
Bethany, House of Song

Ascent: The Valley of the Shadow of Death
Martha's Prologue. Life. Winter, AD 8
Miri's Prologue. Death. Summer, AD 10

Part One
Bethany, House of Dates
The First Twenty Years

Part 1. Pearl 1. Date. Martha. Summer, AD 10
Part 1. Pearl 1. Grape. Martha. Summer, AD 10
Part 1. Pearl 1. Shekel. Martha. Summer, AD 11
Part 1. Pearl 1. Chamomile. Martha. Summer, AD 12
Part 1. Pearl 1. Fig. Martha. Summer, AD 12
Part 1. Pearl 1. Vinegar. Martha. Spring, AD 13
Part 1. Pearl 1. Lamp. Martha. Spring, AD 13

Part 1. Pearl 2. Marrob. Martha. Spring, AD 14
Part 1. Pearl 2. Rue. Martha. Spring, AD 14
Part 1. Pearl 2. Lanolin. Martha. Spring, AD 14
Part 1. Pearl 2. Balm of Gilead. Martha. Spring, AD 14
Part 1. Pearl 2. Leaven. Martha. Spring, AD 14

Part 1. Pearl 3. Dove. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21
Part 1. Pearl 3. Raven. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21
Part 1. Pearl 3. Hen. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21
Part 1. Pearl 3. Turmeric. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21
Part 1. Pearl 3. Sycamore Fig Tree. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21
Part 1. Pearl 3. Pistachio. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21
Part 1. Pearl 3. Nile Papyrus. Miri. Late Winter, AD 21

Part Two
Bethany, House of Affliction
The Next Two Years

Part 2. Pearl 1. Fish. Miri. Spring, AD 30
Part 2. Pearl 1. Pomegranate. Miri. Spring, AD 30
Part 2. Pearl 1. Almond. Miri. Spring, AD 30
Part 2. Pearl 1. Endive. Miri. Spring, AD 30
Part 2. Pearl 1. Wine. Miri. Spring, AD 30
Part 2. Pearl 1. Sheep. Miri. Spring, AD 30

Part 2. Pearl 2. Goat. Martha. Autumn, AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 2. Mint. Martha. Autumn, AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 2. Rosemary. Martha. Autumn, AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 2. Lentils. Martha. Autumn, AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 2. Mustaceum. Martha at Dawn. Autumn, AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 2. Olive. Miri at Dawn. Autumn, AD 32

Part 2. Pearl 3. Honey. Miri. Hanukkah, AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 3. Galbanum. Miri. AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 3. Aloe. Miri. AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 3. Skullcap. Miri. AD 32

Part 2. Pearl 4. Valerian. Martha, the same hour. AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 4. Bay Leaf. Martha, the same hour. AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 4. Lemon Balm. Martha. AD 32
Part 2. Pearl 4. Mosaic. Martha. AD 32

Part Three
Bethany, House of Song
The Final Two Months

Part 3. Pearl 1. Rose. Martha. Spring, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 1. Mustard. Martha. Spring, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 1. Hyssop. Martha. Spring, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 1. Chervil. Martha. Spring, AD 32

Beth Azir: House of Lazarus

Part 3. Pearl 2. Pepper. Miri. Passover, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 2. Nard. Miri. Passover, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 2. Fennel. Miri. Passover, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 2. Charoset. Miri. Passover, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 2. Garlic. Miri. Passover, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 2. Gall. Miri. Passover, AD 32
Part 3. Pearl 2. Lavender. Miri. Passover, AD 32

Epilogue
Beth Anay: House of the Poor

Jubilee. Miri. Pentecost, AD 32