The marketplace was busier than normal that morning. Eliab and his helper, Asher, approached the Great Olive tree where a group of travelers was lounging. Word had reached him of potential laborers for his olive grove harvest.
Eliab called out to the gathered men, “I am a fair employer in need of hard workers for the harvest.”
Eliab peered in wait while the group murmured between each other. Finally, one met eyes with him.
“I am Zimri and have much skill in this work. You will be glad to have me when you see how able I am,” the worker said with a confident smile.
Eliab gave a slight nod, and a restrained smile while scanning the others. They quickly joined after Zimri, stepping out, answering Eliab’s call.
“One, two, three…” Eliab scanned with his finger. “Twelve. This will do nicely. Please gather your belongings and follow my steward, Asher, to the olive grove.”
Asher handed Eliab the donkey reins and watched him move off as the group organized their packs. Soon, the group lined up with Asher leading and Zimri close behind him.
“The grove is a few hours beyond the east side of the lake,” Asher elevated his voice.
The men paired off as they ventured down the long path. Zimri was just behind Asher. He pulled his wrap tight and took a few quick steps to catch Asher.
“How long have you worked for the landowner?” Zimri asked, catching his breath.
“This is my fourth season,” said Asher.
“Four?” Zimri asked. “That’s encouraging. I have worked many harvests. Most good, but sometimes a landowner can be hard. I only hope Eliab is graceful as the Promised One requires and that he can see my value.”
Asher paused before meeting eyes with Zimri. “He doesn’t speak much on religious matters, but his actions have been mostly honorable.”
The two continued walking in tandem as Zimri lowered his head, thinking of a response.
“Mostly?” Zimri said with slight alarm.
Asher nodded, hesitant before speaking. “He expects to turn a profit as any businessman would. He rewards productive labor, yet has little patience for slacking. I assure you that there is nothing to concern yourself over,” Asher said before picking up his pace.
Asher led the group for a few more hours, past Crossroads Clearing and the lake where the path split off to the east. Lines of olive trees dominated the view as they entered the property. Each looked up, passing under an old, faded sign.
“Misthos Grove,” Zimri struggled, sounding out the letters. “That means wealth, doesn’t it?”
“Grove of reward,” Asher corrected. “It was named by the previous owner who sold it so he could retire in his old age. Eliab has made it what it is today, following the dream of its founder.”
Asher led them around the edge until they reached a sturdy outbuilding with a roof and three walls. Fresh hay padded the ground where they would make their beds. He turned, facing them, waiting for all to gather and give their attention.
“Please, my fellow workers, make your place here and settle in to rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day.” Asher left them, making his way toward the main house where Eliab’s donkey was tied.
Eliab stepped out, seeing Asher approach. “Did the trip go without issue?”
Asher reassured him. “All twelve able men have come. They are settling in and aware that work will begin in the morning.”
Eliab nodded with approval. “Very good, and Asher, tend my donkey, then see that the workers are fed.”
Asher stood for a second, staring at Eliab as if still waiting for instructions.
“Yes, we have fish. I was on a detour to Mara’s place when I caught her on her way to the market. She has provided us with her catch today and agreed to provide daily. It is an easier trip for her, so she gave us a fair price.”
Asher untied the donkey’s reins, taking it to the pen opposite the workers’ shelter. He removed its heavy pack saddle and harness, turning it loose. It rushed to the water trough, then devoured the newly placed hay. Asher turned from the pen to be met by the other servant. His handcart was loaded with supplies he had brought from Erudition.
Asher ordered, “Unload the handcart at the main house. There is dried fish also, so we will need to prepare a meal for the new workers before you rest.”
After a little while, Asher approached the workers, holding a basket of food. He found them lounging around the firelight.
“There is enough dry-salted fish for everyone.” Asher announced sitting the basket down. “Enjoy the cheese and olives as well.” He balanced the basket of food near the fire, backing away in invitation for the men to help themselves.
Zimri barely hesitated and was the first to stand, making his way toward the basket. “I can see that Eliab is a fair employer,” he said. “Keeping your workers happy will keep them around longer.” Zimri laughed at his own comment.
Asher smiled awkwardly. “Eliab knows strong, healthy workers are more productive.”
Zimri used the opportunity to tell a story. “I call this The Fair Wage. It is about a landowner who went out early to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a full day’s wage. Later he went out again and found more men standing idle, so he hired them too. He did this several times, even late in the day.”
Two workers sat near Zimri, clinging tight to his use of the parable, even watching to see Asher’s response. Others seemed less enthused with his tale, audibly sighing, seeming to know Zimri’s version.
An older, more mature worker questioned his version. “I have heard a similar tale. I think it was about envious workers.”
Another cut him off. “No, it’s about using your money however you see fit, and no one can tell you how you should spend it.”
Zimri gave pause to their reaction, but quickly dismissed them as he continued. “When evening came, he paid every man the same full wage. Those who worked an hour received exactly what the ones who worked all day received. The early workers complained, of course. They thought they deserved more because they had worked longer.”
Zimri paused, receiving awkward looks. “But the landowner was right to pay them all the same. A good master does not favor the ones who started first. He makes sure every worker ends up with the same. That is true fairness. The ones who came late still needed to feed their families. Why should they go home with less just because they were hired later? Equal pay for every man – that is what a just employer does,” Zimri justified.
“Do you really think the late workers were entitled to the same pay as those who worked harder?” the older worker added.
Zimri turned to face him. “You both missed the point. A good employer should take care of his workers. A greedy man would have withheld the pay.”
One man clung to Zimri’s story. “What do you think, Asher?” he asked.
Asher looked up at the man and then at the rest of the group. “I think the story is very entertaining, but we should all get some rest now. We will need strength for tomorrow since there is much work to do and we are all expected to work a full day,” Asher chuckled, dismissing himself.
He picked up the empty basket, taking his lantern from a post and headed toward the main house, then veered off toward a smaller raised lodge a stone’s throw away.
First light appeared, and the men were in the grove, working hard. Asher set a pace, and a full day brought the tired workers in along with the setting sun. An evening meal was provided while the men lounged around the campfire, swapping stories. Zimri had a lot of input on techniques and olive quality. Asher granted him a helper and a ladder.
“If you can keep a steady pace gathering the most choice olives, then you may keep this position.” Asher explained.
The workers had established their routine, and work continued with Asher holding a steady pace while Zimri and his helper moved ahead of them.
On the third day of the operation, Eliab and his servant were making much headway at the olive press. He looked up to see Amal approaching, carrying empty baskets strapped to his back.
“You are right on time,” Eliab called out, arching his aching back. “The first fruits are ready for market.”
Amal neared shouting back with a grin, “I can see your laborers are hard at work. I hope it’s not too much for me to carry.”
Eliab stopped to check the baskets of choice olives he had set aside. “Don’t start complaining yet. You know you can use my cart,” he joked as Amal neared.
They both went over to the choice olive baskets, finding two of them empty and another two half full.
Amal looked in reaching down to pick up a few. He peered up at Eliab. “That’s it?” he asked. “Seems really light for the beginning of the season. The trees are abundant with fruit still.”
Eliab hung his head for a moment. “Yeah, it seems that’s all we have,” he said low. “Take a few ephahs of olive oil too, so you have a full load for Lydia. Just load them onto the handcart and keep it through the season for my deliveries and whatever else you need it for.”
Amal dropped the empty baskets he had brought, and then secured the two half filled baskets of choice olives along with two ephahs of freshly pressed olive oil.
Eliab handed Amal some parchment. “Here, use silver from the olives to gather these things to bring back.”
“See you in a couple of days,” Amal said, taking hold of the handcart and heading back toward Erudition.
When the sun sank low that evening, Eliab whistled loudly toward the grove. Asher looked up to see him motioning.
“That’s a day.” Asher called out to the workers. They gathered their equipment and headed in.
Eliab went out to meet Asher near the camp. “Please, join the workers and I will bring the evening meal. I have some things to discuss.”
Asher nodded, turning back toward the tired workers who were washing and preparing the campfire. Zimri and his helper were extra lively, joking and horse playing. Other workers settled to relax while swapping stories and talking about the daily struggles.
Zimri gave them his input. “You all complain too much. You are so tired because of your methods. Work with skill, not with strain,” he advised.
One worker was quick to respond. “You should trade places with me. You are still so lively because you have the easier job.”
Zimri smiled out of one side of his face. “I am in charge of the choice olives only because I have a good eye. I have worked many harvests and know what I’m doing, and the landowner sees it.”
Another worker looked at Asher. “Do you agree, or is it because he talks so much that the landowner has to separate him so we can get work done?”
The group roared with laughter, and Asher only lowered his head, shaking it while trying not to smile.
Asher didn’t respond until the laughter died. “Eliab cares that we are productive. I am sure he has placed all of us where we can accomplish that.”
A moment went by with no one speaking. Finally, the firelight revealed Eliab approaching with the other long-term servant carrying bread and fish in a basket.
“We have been blessed,” Eliab said, stepping into the firelight. “Mara had a big catch today, and there is plenty of fish.”
Asher took the basket from Eliab, handing out portions to the workers while Eliab prepared to address them.
“As you know, I have been mostly working the presses. The olive flow is steady, and I cannot complain about that. Stay steady, men. One thing I need to address is the shortage of quality olives. More valuable olives are being harvested with the bulk than should be, and there are few going to market. We have tried to separate them at the press, but this costs time and most end up being crushed into oil. Now, I know Zimri has been put in charge concerning gathering these, but for now, and for time’s sake, I would like Asher to handle this process. Asher, you have been with me for several seasons and have more experience. Zimri and his helper can join the bulk operation for now.”
Zimri’s face tightened. “I have worked many harvests and know about separating the best olives. I have only been trying to keep the demanding pace you have set.”
“You have had the easiest job only because you said you were experienced. You have proven otherwise. I have given my instructions, and that’s all that matters,” Eliab shot back.
Zimri opened his mouth to speak again, but was shut down with a stern look as Eliab raised his hand. Eliab departed with his long-term servant, and Asher stayed only to divide the meal before leaving for his dwelling.
The workers carried on in conversation and enjoyed the meal, other than Zimri and his two younger companions who sat quietly near him while they ate.
Zimri eventually looked up at them. “Do you see how things are?” Zimri spoke low, only to the two. “Hard work and skill go unnoticed when one only looks inward. The landowner is greedy, squeezing our strength to fill his storehouses. It is not the grace taught by the Promised One.”
They both nodded in agreement but eventually extinguished the fire, finding their resting place.