Full of hope, Matthew was eager to go on with the second test, although John wasn't. In life not everyone will be excited about your progress and successes. John went to consult his wife about the nature of Matthew's second test. He also told his wife how he was afraid that Matthew would protest against his command. His wife asked him to tell Matthew that this was his last test. Should he pass, they will give him their daughter Mary in marriage.
John was startled because he could not understand what his wife meant. Then he asked, “what do you mean? And what impossible thing are we going to ask Matthew to do for us this time?" With a squeaky voice his wife replied, “That is easy. Let us ask him to choose the cows his father gave us for a bride price and let him select all the calves born to them. "Oh, that is wonderful," exclaimed the excited John. Impressed by his wife's 'brilliance,' he quickly agreed since he thought it would be an impossible test for Matthew to pass.
When John came out of the meeting with his wife, he was certain that this time Matthew would not succeed. People can plan but they forget that God in heaven watches over all things.
Matthew was baffled when John informed him about his next test. He said to himself, "how can I know the cows my father brought when I was not yet born?” Mockingly John replied Matthew, "Do you want a wife or not?" while sobbing.
Matthew replied, "Give me a day to plan what I am going to do."
Matthew went behind the house and began weeping. His tears flowing like a river in the rain. Some flies came and asked him, "Why are you crying son of Deo? Is there anything we can do to make you happy?”
"Oh no," replied Matthew, "my friends I do not think there is anything you can do to help.
Matthew narrated to them how John told him to choose from his herd the cows his father gave to him as a dowry for his daughter Mary. "You see I was not yet born so I do not know them.”
"Only that?" replied the flies. "You know when your father was here to pay dowry for Mary we were here too. We are going to help you. Here is a sign we shall give you. Tomorrow, very early in the morning, come to the corral. When the cows are standing outside the kraal, we shall fly and land on the cows and those that will run, shall be the ones that you will choose."
Matthew felt relieved and went home to sleep. He had a good night's sleep because he knew that tomorrow he would succeed.
Meanwhile, John and his wife were very anxious to see Matthew humiliated, as it would be their victory. They did not know that Matthew had secret friends who would come to help him. Early the following morning, Matthew rose from his bed to go milk cows. John came to him and told him that at exactly 10:00 a. m., before the cows go to graze, he should choose which cows his father gave to them.
At exactly 10:00 a. m., all the cows assembled in multitude while Matthew waited for his friends, the flies to give him signs. Soon the flies got into action, by flying over and landing on the cows. One by one, as Matthew picked them out. The long-awaited moment John had expected to disgrace Matthew had come; but the flies were busy singling out the cows and their calves. Matthew was very swift picking the animals one by one, as he understood the signs very well
As he was about to finish, John and his wife began asking themselves why there were very more flies than usual. When they saw that Matthew had chosen all the cows and their little ones, John and his wife were so embarrassed. They decided to confess to Matthew why they were treating him so badly. In the end, they asked for forgiveness.
Matthew forgave them and immediately went to John's house. He took his bride Mary and, right away, departed for his father's house.
The Moral of the Story
The story teaches us to remain faithful when we enter into a covenant relationship. It also teaches us to be patient in trials because there is hope at the end of the journey. Forgiveness is powerful than hatred. Therefore, let us teach our children values that they may know how to live in the community with other people.
