Joshua's Daughter

Ariel Montine Strickland

What if, as a father, you recognized that your child needed you to have faith that she really was your daughter,
in order for her to have faith in THE ONE to make her whole?

~o~O~o~

The parable “Joshua's Daughter” is a recasting of the transwoman, Tamar, for the blind man of John chapter nine from the Bible. In both cases they are born with congenital challenges.

This parable tries to answer the question: "What would Jesus do if an encounter happened with a transwoman while he traveled the Earth?" You will notice that the parable refers to the Supreme Being as THE ONE.

No disrespect is intended to the Bible and anyone's beliefs

~o~O~o~

Joshua took in his surroundings. He was sitting by a pool on a bench. He looked twice and recognized it as the famous pool of Siloam. As He gazed into his reflection it was not the youth he expected. Instead looking back at him was a man dressed as though he had aged overnight and wore the garments of a middle-aged blacksmith. He caught his breath and wondered at the possibilities.

At that moment his thoughts were disrupted by the appearance of an angel.

"I am the angel, Ariel, and I have come to you Joshua with a message of challenge and hope."

Joshua was sore afraid in the presence of an angel so that his memory left him.

"Who am I now that you should visit me?"

“You are Joshua, a blacksmith, who specializes in making tools and nails. You have a wife, Miriam who you love very much and a transwoman daughter, who was named Timon originally but she would rather be called Tamar. Tamar began living as her true gender as a precocious child. Before puberty could touch her you sent her to become a eunuch because you realized that the child might take her own life if her body betrayed her by becoming masculine in spite of her best efforts to the contrary. You reasoned that even if Tamar chose to live as Timon that a life as a eunuch could be a good one for the nobility treated their servants well and he had already resigned himself that his line would not continue. Tamar learned to be a seamstress from her mother, Miriam. Together they had invented some amazing undergarments that allowed Tamar to look like the other women of the village when clothed.”

“It appears that Tamar is very fortunate to have myself, Joshua and my wife, Miriam as parents. Why am I here before you? “

“You both as Tamar’s parents are resigned to the inevitable that your child lives as Tamar. You do not accept your daughter's condition as real and would be happier if Tamar lived as Timon. What Miriam needs is to completely accept her daughter and Tamar needs her faith in herself and in THE ONE to be renewed. You see in a few days; Jesus will be coming to this village and will be willing to make Tamar whole if only she has the faith.”

"The Son of THE ONE is coming!"

“It goes without saying that you must not interfere with the mission of Jesus. Now, Tamar has already given up hope, so she might not have the faith to trust Jesus for the gift. When Jesus asnjamin Syndrome or Gender Expression, there are parallels which can be drawn to tell the story of the transwoman in the parable,” What Would Jesus Do?”ks her to wash in the Pool of Siloam, she might not feel capable of doing it. If she can believe in Jesus enough to do what he says, then she could become a whole woman and actually be a wife and mother.”

"Of course, Ariel"

"Pease be unto you, Joshua and upon your family. My message is delivered so now i depart."

The angel Ariel left Joshua's sight as quickly as she had appeared.

~o~O~o~

When Joshua arrived at the forge, he found that he had been a very good record keeper. That told him exactly what orders were placed, and he started the fabrication of the things he would need to fill the orders.

It wasn't long before a beautiful young woman came to the stable carrying a pitcher of cold water from deep in the well and a loaf of bread with a pot of honey.

“Greetings, my beloved daughter!” Joshua shouted while she was still a far off.

Tamar paused for a moment in shock and a great big smile spread across her face as she quickened her pace. She placed the things she carried on the nearby table and curtseyed respectfully to her father.

“Come here, Tamar”

Joshua wrapped his arms around his daughter in a great big bear hug. “ I love you, my daughter”

Tamar cried tears of joy and said “I love you too, Daddy”

As they disentangled, Tamar's expression revealed that she really wanted to know what had caused this change of heart. She had never been called daughter or Tamar before by her Daddy.

Joshua sat down and bid Tamar curl up in his massive lap. “I’ve received a revelation from The One that I should always have treated you as my daughter. While I can not undo what I have done, I ask your forgiveness, Tamar.”

Tamar could not see for the tears but she responded, ”Daddy, I forgive you. Thank you for letting me be your daughter.”

Joshua replied, “You are welcome, Sweetheart. Please go to your mother ask her leave that you attend me in the stable today for I have need of you. I await your return, Daughter.”

Tamar dried her eyes on the hem of her skirt and got off of her Daddy’s lap. “I go as I am sent, Father.”

Joshua gave her leave to go. “Return quickly, Daughter. There is much expected this day.”

Tamar took off towards the house at a rapid pace and singing a psalm in praise of The One.

Joshua smiled at how well that had gone . Not only could Joshua begin to instill faith in Tamar in herself and in The One, but his daughter could help identify all of the people in the village to Joshua so he would know what orders to give them when they came for them.

Tamar came, out of breath, to her Mother who greeted her with concern. “My Child, what is the matter that you come here with such haste. Catch your breath and then tell me, Child.”

“Oh Mother, Father sends me to beg a boon of you to allow me to spend the day with him in the stable. And mother, Daddy called me Tamar, his daughter, and asked me to forgive him for not doing so before.”

“My child, if your Father says you are Tamar, his daughter, then that’s exactly who you are! Tamar you are granted my leave to attend to your father for his comfort this day. Go quickly, Child, to your home and wear something befitting the daughter of Joshua so that your Father will be proud of you before the others in the village.”

“Thank you, Mother. I go as you direct.”

And Tamar left to go to her home. Tamar was of age according to the Jewish law. Joshua had reasoned that if his child chose to go through life as Timon then he had a dwelling place and if she were to go through life as Tamar then she would have the home for a dowry. Even though it was Tamar, that she lived as, she had a bit of what she would have had as Timon. Tamar quickly changed and started the walk back to the stable.

Tamar was soon in sight of the stable. When Joshua saw her far off he cried out “Tamar!” and opened his arms to her. Tamar ran and jumped into her Daddy’s arms and she kissed him on the cheek.

Joshua smiled at Tamar.“All I need you to do, Tamar, is to look your most beautiful and keep me company today. And I would like us to play a game. Tamar when you see one of our towns people a far off, I would like for you to tell me all about them as though I had never met them before. Can you do that for me, Sweetheart?”

“Oh yes, Daddy, I would love to do that for you.”

So Joshua got through the day, making the things on his list. As someone went by the stable, Tamar would introduce them to Joshua secretly. Tamar went off to the well to draw more water as needed. Most of all Joshua was able to teach his daughter about faith in The One and faith in herself.

By the time that Miriam ordinarily started the evening meal, Joshua was pretty confident that he knew all the towns’ people so he allowed Tamar to go home to help her Mother with the meal preparations. Joshua asked her to return to fetch him when the meal was ready. Joshua reasoned that with Tamar as an escort that he wouldn't be lost going home. Tamar soon returned and walked with her Father home.

Joshua greeted his wife Miriam warmly, “Greetings, Miriam! You have done a wonderful job preparing our evening meal. You are so good to me after toiling yourself all day making the clothes that the women desire and brings them beauty.”

"Greetings, Joshua! I am wondering where you have hidden my husband because you seem like a completely new man. But I like this man that you have become, my beloved. I feel that I should keep you just the way you are.”

“My wife, we will talk more of this after the evening meal. But now let us give thanks to The One for the abundance of what we have to eat.”

Joshua lifted his hands towards heaven and prayed to The One and when he had concluded, they all began eating. The meal passed pleasantly as they ate in silence. While Joshua would have preferred conversation, he needed to try to respect the traditions of the house as much as he could. Tamar cleared the table and took care of the dirty dishes and fed the remains of the meal to the oxen at the stable on her way to her home. Tamar hurried so that she would arrive home before sundown because that would begin the Sabbath.

Miriam looked to her husband with concern, “The evening meal has passed, my husband so I must ask this. Have you taken leave of your senses treating our child like that and raising her hopes?”

“You called Tamar, “her”. Are you showing your true feelings as well, Miriam?”

"Joshua, there is no denying that she is our daughter so of course I called Tamar “her” and it's much easier than talking around to avoid the pronoun. But you do not answer the question, my Husband.”

“Miriam, I was visited by an angel today and she told me things that have caused me to see our daughter in a different light. The One accepted Tamar as a daughter from the day she was born imbuing her with a female spirit. “

“That does make a difference, Joshua. Were I visited by an angel, then I would change in an instant as well to reflect the will of The One. Please continue.”

“Have you heard the stories of Jesus of Nazareth who goes about healing and preaching about The One?”

“Yes, there are many things said about Jesus, but none can deny the wonderful things that have been done for those who have put their faith in Jesus.”

“I was told that Jesus was on the way to our village. If Tamar has the faith to do what Jesus tells her then she might be made whole.”

“Then our Timon would be truly gone! The One would have given us a daughter that could bear our grandchildren. Blessed be The One!”

“My wife, If you hear of a disturbance in the town, send Tamar so that she can meet Jesus. Build up her faith in herself and in The One. We will see if The One will work a miracle in our midst.”

“Be it unto me according as you have said, my Husband. I look to The One to provide something wonderful for our daughter.”

“I tire, my Wife. Miriam let us be close tonight as we sleep. I place no duty upon you this night but to be near me.”

“Joshua, you should be visited by an angel more often if it makes you this agreeable. Come let us enjoy our warmth together as we rest.”

~o~O~o~

The Sabbath day continued early for Joshua as he left Miriam to sleep while he got his own breakfast and went out to go worship early in the morning.

Later on both Miriam and Tamar began their day. Tamar made the mundane preparation for the day and cared for her mother, Miriam.

“Tamar, my daughter, have you heard the news that Jesus of Nazareth may be coming through our town today?”

Tamar replied, “No mother, I had not heard. I have heard of the miracles that people say that he does.”

“Have faith my daughter! The One looks on the weak vessels of this earth to confound the wise. Besides you can be my eyes and ears if Jesus does come and I have to stay with our goods.”

“I will Mother.” Tamar smiled and hoped for a miracle for herself.

Miriam noticed a gathering of unknown men outside and told Tamar to go to the well with a jar of water. And Miriam whispered to her, “If on your way you see Jesus, stop and offer him and those who travel with him something to drink.”

Tamar whispered back, “Yes Mother” and she went to the well.

Tamar drew the water out of the well and filled the jar and inserted the dipper and began to carry it back toward her parents home. As she drew nearer she saw that a man was surrounded with men that were his traveling companions. She heard shouts of “Jesus is here!” She did as her mother instructed and walked to the group of men and as she overheard their conversation it became obvious which one was called Jesus.

She came up to Jesus and curtseyed and offered him the dipper. “Teacher, would you like something to drink?”

Before Jesus could drink one of the townspeople, a busybody named Marah who was standing by Jesus, pushed the dipper and jar away from Jesus and the jar burst on the ground and all the water was lost. It was little wonder that Marah's name meant bitter.

Marah screamed, “Jesus, this is an evil person! He was named Timon by his parents but he claimed that he was really a girl and began to dress in women’s garments and call himself, Tamar. He has brought disgrace on his parents who live in this village.”

Tamar collected herself and said, “Teacher, I am a woman with a problem.”

Jesus’ companions were beside themselves so one of them named Judas asked Jesus, who sinned: this woman or her parents, causing her to be born with this problem?"

Jesus rolled his eyes and looked at Judas and said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what The One can do.”

Jesus turned to the rest of his companions and continued, ”We need to be energetically at work for The One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light."

Tamar stood there and with each word that Jesus had said her faith rose. This Jesus was unlike any man that she had known before. She could not believe that Jesus had said that she wasn’t a sinner for being born like that. She was glad that Jesus had said that her parents had not sinned either.

Jesus turned to Tamar and said, "Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam"

Tamar knew in her heart that if she did as she was commanded that she would receive a miracle. She gladly went to the Pool of Siloam. Ordinarily she went in the dead of night to wash because of her problem but she had the faith that by doing what Jesus said that something wonderful would happen. So, she removed her clothing and went down into the pool and washed. When she had washed, she felt something penetrate every part of her being and she had been made whole.

Tamar looked up to see her friend Leah holding out towels which she took one and wrapped around herself.

“I was sent with these towels to give you when my mother heard that you were commanded to wash at this pool.”

"Thank you , Leah. You are always so good to me."

"Hosanna to The One! The power of The One set me free! My problem is gone! Hallelujah!"

“You are really no different from any other woman now, Tamar! It’s a miracle!”

“I’m whole! I want to thank the Rabbi for my healing. Thank you for bringing me the towel. Now I can bathe with all the other women!”

“Here are your clothes. I’ll leave you to get dressed. I can’t wait to spread your good news!”

As Tamar dried herself, she could not believe how beautiful she was now and that she possessed all those attributes that she had lacked before. The special undergarments were no longer necessary because she was whole. She dressed herself and because she bathed in the daylight there was no doubt by anyone that she had been made whole.

Soon the town was buzzing. Tamar was accompanied by her friend Leah as they walked back for Tamar to thank Jesus. Ruth, an acquaintance of Leah’s caught up to them. Saul the Pharisee, seeing another chance to make a name for himself approached them, thriving on the controversy.

Leah was telling everyone about Tamar’s good news. Tamar’s relatives and those who had seen her only as a woman with a problem asked each other in whispers the same question. which Ruth spoke out loud.

Ruth spoke out loud the question that others whispered, "Why, isn't this Timon with the problem who called herself Tamar?"

Leah proclaimed,” It's her all right! My friend Tamar has been made whole! Not even Saul can deny that!”

Saul asserted,” It is not the same woman at all. She just looks like her.”

Tamar answered,” It's me, the very one.”

Saul asked,” How did you become whole?”

Tamar told him,” A man named Jesus told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' I did what he said. When I washed, I was whole.”

Saul, looking for a bigger target, asked,” So where is he?”

Tamar timidly said, "I don't know.”

Saul saw this as the chance he had hoped for and seized Tamar. Tamar was disappointed that she would be delayed in thanking Jesus but Saul’s tight grip on her meant she had no choice now.

“This Jesus has broken the Sabbath again! The other Pharisees will want to question you. Come with me, Tamar!”

A bunch of the religious people were among the crowd that had gathered. They surrounded, Tamar. Saul led them as they marched Tamar to the Pharisees at the gathering place. Leah, Ruth and many of those around them went as well. From what Tamar could gather from what they had said on the way is that they were upset that today when Jesus made Tamar whole was the Sabbath.

The gathering quickly took on the atmosphere of a court with Caiaphas, presiding and of course Saul prosecuting. Nicodemus, who saw Jesus as a great teacher, was determined to interject any defense that he could for Tamar.

Saul questioned Tamar before those assembled.

”Now Tamar, if that is really your name, answer truthfully before The One and this holy group of Pharisees. You claim that Jesus sent you to the Pool of Siloam. How did you come to be made whole on this Sabbath?”

Tamar meekly replied, "I washed, and now I am whole.”

Saul continued,” Obviously, this man, Jesus, can't be from The One. He doesn't keep the Sabbath.”

Nicodemus questioned, "How can a bad man do a miraculous, The One revealing thing like this?”

Nicodemus felt good about the question he asked. Saul afraid of losing the point started a shouting match with Nicodemus, recognizing that there was a split in their ranks.

Saul retorted, "Jesus is crazy, a maniac–out of his head completely!"

Nicodemus calmly replied, "Can a 'maniac' heal her problem?"

"Silence! I, Caiaphas, will deal with her! Tamar, you're the expert. He made you whole. What do you say about him?"

Tamar respectfully told him, "Jesus is a prophet."

Saul yelled, “He’s not a prophet! I don’t believe you used to be Timon either!"

Caiaphas said, “I don’t believe that Tamar ever had a problem. Let’s get the parents, they can tell us the truth about Tamar.”

Caiaphas sent a religious crowd to the home of Joshua and Miriam. Joshua had not long gotten home from going to worship. He had avoided learning of either Tamar's miracle or of the trial.

Nicodemus was with them as the voice of reason and restraint.

"Joshua, you and your wife Miriam have been summoned before the great court by the High Priest, Caiphas to bring testimony about your daughter Tamar who was made whole by Jesus.."

Joshua looked at Miriam and grinned, “Jesus did it! Tamar has been made whole! Now when am I going to be finished here?”

Nicodemus smiled,” Patience. You have to keep your wife and daughter safe while the excitement from this miracle dies down.”

"Are they trying my daughter and Jesus in absentia because they don't have the courage to face Jesus himself?"

Nicodemus answered, "That is not for me to say. We have instructions to escort both you and your wife to Caiphas and the religious leaders.”

Joshua wrapped a protective arm around his wife and whispered to her, “Just tell the truth, Miriam. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The group led both him and his wife to the gathering place where Caiphas and religious leaders were waiting for their arrival.

Nicodemus again took his position in the room as defender of Tamar and Jesus.

When Joshua and Miriam arrived, they saw their daughter, Tamar, standing before the religious leaders.

Saul yelled, “There are Timon’s parents, Joshua and Miriam, coming in right now. Let’s ask them!”

Joshua and Miriam, Tamar’s parents, were led before the assembly while Tamar was led to the side to wait. They were concerned for Tamar’s welfare and had heard the rumors that she had been made whole and they wanted to see for themselves. Her parents marveled that she had indeed been made a whole woman now glowing in her femininity.

Ruth and Leah stood in the crowd nearby, fearful for Tamar and hoping not to be caught up in the proceedings as well.

Caiaphas demanded, "Is this your daughter, the one you say was born with a problem? So how is it that she now is whole?”

Joshua answered for both him and Miriam, "We know she is our daughter, and we know she was born with a problem. But we don't know how she came to be made whole–haven't a clue about who made her whole. Why don't you ask her? She's a grown woman and can speak for herself.”

Joshua reasoned that it was better to avoid trouble now and so there would not be an action that would be difficult to resolve later after things cooled down.

Leah could see Miriam trembling and was very proud of Tamar’s father, Joshua, as he answered Caiaphas. She leaned over and whispered an explanation to Ruth.

“Ruth, Joshua must have said that because he is intimidated by the Pharisees. They would kick them out of the meeting place if they claimed that Jesus is the Messiah. Who could deny that with Tamar being made whole?”

Saul was disappointed that the only thing that Joshua had done was confirm Tamar’s identity. Caiphas let Joshua and Miriam go home but he kept Tamar since they didn’t have Jesus to question.

Saul led Tamar back before them for a second time.

Saul hoping to save face started again,” Give credit to The One. We know this man is an impostor.”

Tamar spoke up, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I had a problem . . . Now I am whole."

Once again Saul asked, "What did he do to you? How did he make you whole?”

With frustration Tamar said "I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?”

That was the last straw for Saul who was doing the questioning. Gone was any resemblance of decorum as he jumped all over her saying, "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that The One spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.”

Tamar with courage proclaimed, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he made me whole! It's well known that The One isn't at the beck and call of sinners but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does His will. That someone made whole a woman born with a problem has never been heard of–ever. If this man didn't come from The One, he wouldn't be able to do anything.”

Saul said with bitterness, "You're nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!”

Saul with the support of Caiphas and the rest, took hold of her and threw her out in the street. Since she had showed him up good, he decided to follow her and see if he could find out something else to stir up trouble.

Jesus had heard about the assembly and that she had been cast out of it so he went looking for her. When Jesus found Tamar, she was overjoyed that she could finally thank Him.

With a grin on her face, Tamar proclaimed, “Jesus, thank you! Now I am whole!”

Jesus asked her, "Do you believe in the Son of The One?

Tamar said,” Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.”

Jesus told her, "You're looking right at him. Don't you recognize me?”

"Master, I believe," Tamar said. Tamar had fallen at Jesus feet and worshiped him.

Saul stood by and looked on with contempt.

Jesus seeing Saul addressed him, "I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind."

Saul with indignation replied, "Does that mean you're calling us blind?"

Jesus had the last statement, "If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you're accountable for every fault and failure."

Tamar’s parents were making preparations to make ready the room that Timon had occupied in their home until becoming of age to make it over so that it would be a suitable place for their daughter to live. While her daughter had been living in the home of her own, it was only because she did so by expectations that she actually was Timon.

When the miracle happened as she had faith that it would, it would not be proper for an unmarried daughter to live on her own so she would be expected to live with her parents until she was betrothed. Miriam put the finishing touches on the room and closed it up so that Tamar would not see her surprise till later.

Tamar finally came home after spending time with Jesus. She was glowing even with the treatment that she had received at the hands of the religious leaders. Miriam led Tamar to her room and opened the door.

Tamar squealed with joy when Miriam told her, “Tamar, this is your room now!” Miriam hugged Tamar and kissed her on the cheek.

Joshua said, “My beloved daughter, Tamar, you've come home.”

Miriam asked Tamar, "How do you feel that Jesus' teachings and actions will affect our village long term?"

"I would like to think that they will change the way that they speak and act in accordance with the good news as i have done. Our village is divided on this subject, and each will respond in accordance with their gifts. I hope that enough will respond positively to make a difference in our village." Tamar respectfully answered her mother.

The three of them hugged together as a family united to carry out the good news.

~o~O~o~

“Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.”

The Gospel According to John, Chapter 20, Verses 30 and 31, The Message

~o~O~o~