by Chana Keefer
Soon the dripping, bedraggled trio flopped to the grass in the warm sun, the humans wringing water from their hair while Rapha shook his head as the heat of his body reduced liquid to steam. Soon he was dry while they continued to drip.
Luckily, this difference triggered her incessant curiosity and shifted the focus of the moment. Unfortunately, Rapha ever after questioned whether his answers could have been delivered in a way less inclined to intrigue.
“So what, exactly, are you made of?” The girl watched the steam rise above Rapha, fascination in her penetrating gaze.
“I am a creature of light and spirit,” Rapha answered.
“But I can’t grasp a ray of sunlight. How are we able to touch you?” She reached to squeeze his arm.
“All matter can be reduced to a flimsier substance; and all matter, if condensed to a high enough degree, can be solid.”
Something about that answer intrigued Adam enough to take his focus off the girl. “So when you go away, are you becoming a flimsier substance?”
“I suppose it could be viewed that way.”
“Can you teach us to do that?”
“It is much more difficult to reduce earth to a malleable state.…” before Rapha could finish, another question was fired, this time by the girl.
“Is it difficult for you to become… solid again?”
“It has always been a simple concept for me….”
“Can you teach us to do that?”
“That ability is not part of Adonai’s plan for….”
“It must be amazing. Are you aware of everything while you’re, um, malleable?”
“The core of my being, my spirit, remains intact, therefore I have no lapse in….”
The girl leapt to her feet and spread her arms wide, “How wonderful to feel so free!”
“The feeling of freedom does not rely on my material state.”
Adam cut in, pondering a different aspect. “Are there females like you?”
That caught the girl’s attention. She stopped spinning, her eyes riveted on Rapha.
“Ah! There’s a difficult question… actually, no.”
“Have you never requested a mate? As you told me, Adonai will give you whatever you ask…”
“…in accordance with His will,” Rapha finished, hoping the conversation could be steered from the rocky shoal that lay ahead. “Adonai guides our desires and….”
“Why have you never requested a female?” Her voice was steady as her eyes searched his.
“Please understand, while we look similar in elemental ways our… requirements… are dissimilar.” Rapha sighed. He was handling this poorly. “Like the animals that surround you, you and Adam will one day have offspring. Due to our unchanging nature, there is no need for celestials to reproduce.”
“So, in your… society… I am unnecessary.”
There it was. The conversation capsized. “That word is inaccurate in this context….”
She didn’t miss a beat, “Then aid my inaccuracy. What word would fit?”
The edge in her voice was heartbreaking. He hated the fact that his answers had wounded her, but how could he explain something he hardly understood himself? “Please, perhaps these questions should be directed to Adonai….”
“Why? The question is simple. Am I only necessary for bearing offspring?”
“No! Adonai created you to strengthen mankind,” if only he had stopped right there, the moment might have been salvaged, “and… and for you to be—strengthened together.” Rapha raked a frustrated hand through his hair. Why couldn’t he make any sense while those wide eyes were fixed on him?
“So Adam was incomplete without me?”
“Well, no. And yes. I mean, you are both complete, but it is a matter of—fulfillment.” There. That sounded better. “And reproduction, of course.”
“Will we ever be more like you? Will we ever be able to become—malleable—and perhaps fly?”
If Rapha’s own emotional state had not been so jumbled he might have read her intent. But he was so glad the conversation had landed on safer ground, he unwittingly ensnared himself. “If mankind grows in harmony with Adonai, nothing will be impossible.…”
“And one day my kind will no longer be necessary for offspring?”
“What? No! That is not what I meant….”
But she had added the known facts and assumed the inevitable. “So it’s only because Adam is less… developed… that I am needed.”
Rapha rushed to redeem the moment. “I am discovering daily the wisdom of Adonai’s plan in creating two individuals who complement and strengthen each other,” he rushed on, though he could tell that her jumbled thoughts were not absorbing his words. “I often wonder if our angelic… completeness… might even be viewed as a weakness… and whether interdependence is actually a strength….”
Adam jumped in, “I would never want to be without you. If being like a celestial means leaving you behind I will remain as I am.” His hopes to score points with his tender speech were dashed.
“That is ridiculous, Adam. Do you think I would thwart Adonai’s plan?”
“No! That’s not what I meant…” He spluttered, echoing Rapha’s predicament.
The girl jumped to her feet and started walking away. After one helpless look at each other they clambered to join her, but she stopped, rolling her eyes in frustration. “Please, I want to be alone.”
She pushed through the trees as Rapha and Adam stood blinking. When the angel probed the girl’s emotions he encountered confusion; she desired to be alone and yet was lonely. He walked to the black leopard that usually shadowed her. Rousing the cat from slumber he held the animal’s gaze, communicating his request, then watched the sleek animal follow the girl’s path. Hopefully, by sending the cat he had provided a subtle presence that would soothe her. Besides, he had noticed a natural aversion among the animals to Lucifer’s presence and, while he didn’t want to voice his fears to Adam, he felt better knowing the animal’s instincts would accompany her. But just to be safe, Rapha kept his awareness open to the girl. If she felt threatened in any way, he would know it.
In a few moments his watchfulness relaxed. She was with the Maker. He could feel the hard knot of hurt unravel as her confusion disappeared.
He took note of the words that finally brought peace to her heart.
“My wholeness—justice and mercy, love and discipline, beauty, and might—is too great, too complex, to be present only in man. Your offspring will better understand Me and the reflection of My holiness is more complete, when the two become one.”
Their conversation continued, deepening her understanding of her destiny, of the balance and strength she would contribute. Like the tiny roots that hold the soil together and yet keep it broken and fertile, she was indispensable.
“Thank you, Adonai,” Rapha exhaled with relief and passed on the news to Adam who celebrated by climbing the cliff. For Adam, emotions required a physical outlet.
Later that day, their delicate balance restored, Rapha watched as the young man and woman made their way to the evening’s rendezvous with Adonai. Each brought a gift, something that was most precious to them. On the girl’s forearm perched a large, brightly plumed parrot, which she had succeeded in teaching several words and phrases. With pride she brought the bird forth, encouraging it with rewards of seeds to show off its skills as the animals pressed around their Maker, nuzzling His hands, climbing on His shoulders or leaning as close as possible with unabashed adoration. Each brought something—a piece of fruit, a rock, a flower—whatever they deemed most valuable.
Even the trees leaned closer and a shower of blossoms fell on the path creating a confetti-strewn carpet for His feet. A large, lumbering sea turtle with a mollusk held in its hooked mouth moved as quickly as its bulky body would allow, inching closer and closer, vying for attention. One female chimp chattered, her voice rising in volume until Adonai turned toward her and laid a hand to her wrinkled, brown face. With unbli
nking trust she swung her baby from her back and, with the slightest glance of longing toward her child, she held it toward Adonai.
A hush fell among the animals as the large, bright hands cradled the baby and the Maker snuggled it closer to deliver a kiss to its forehead. Adonai whispered in its ear, gave one more hug, then His eyes fell on the mother who looked on with brimming eyes. The smile He gave her was blinding; each one present was rendered speechless by the intensity of love that flowed between them.
“This shall not be forgotten,” His words radiated throughout the clearing. He reached an arm toward the mother who chattered and leapt to His side. Absolute silence prevailed except in the circle of His arms where the breathtaking drama was taking place. He held them close for a moment as tears ran down His cheeks. The mother whimpered and nestled closer while the baby appeared stupefied, one tiny hand grasping a fold of His robe.
“The gift is received, a living sacrifice, holy and eternal.” With another kiss, He knelt to place the mother on the ground and then handed the baby back into her arms. As Adonai turned to attend to others, both chimps continued to glow, encased in His light.
Adam had yet to present his gift, the large diamond he and Rapha had used for their game, polished to a brilliant sheen. Now he hesitated. But Adonai beckoned to him and the boy stepped forward to bow and offer his sacrifice. Rapha sensed that Adam had hoped to increase his gift’s importance with a pompous presentation, but all it accomplished was to accentuate the contrast between his offering of a gem when the simpler creature had handed over her heart.
However, Adonai embraced the boy, and then held the precious stone aloft. Stars of light danced, transforming the clearing into a magical, glittering prism. A lion cub pounced and chased the points of light and the girl laughed at its play and even joined the pursuit. While the other creatures were distracted by the game, Adam knelt, a grateful smile lighting up his face. “Thank you, Adonai, for transforming my gift into something that brings joy to all.”
The Maker’s reply was inaudible but crystal clear to Rapha as it was written onto the boy’s heart. “I am not greedy. I only desire that My good gifts never separate us.”
Adam’s eyes were drawn to the laughing girl, desire and love etched on his features. When he looked back into Adonai’s eyes, he could not hold the penetrating gaze for long.
Rapha shuddered. Lucifer would be seeking just such a weakness, just such a chink in Adam’s armor. He met the Maker’s eye. Yes, they would address this at the earliest opportunity.
The next day, Rapha tried to prepare them for the inevitable—an encounter with Lucifer.
The two young people were climbing a huge tree, grappling for handholds in their ongoing efforts to outdo each other. The girl was able to climb higher, her lesser weight making it possible to navigate the topmost branches. To deepen the drama of the moment she let go and inched along the thin branch, hands held out for balance.
“Okay, I’m very impressed. Now stop,” Adam’s voice had a commanding edge.
Rapha sensed the girl was pleased with Adam’s concern. In fact, her present mood bordered on giddiness as she wavered and her foot slipped. In truth, the little faker was in no danger and had the balance of a cat, but she loved to tease and could not help bursting into giggles when Adam gasped and crouched on his branch as if prepared to dive to her rescue.
Rapha climbed to join them, not shaking a single branch or leaf with his passage.
“What a showoff!” the girl pronounced. “But it is nice to know with Rapha around someone would catch me if I actually did fall.”
“Still, perhaps it’s wise to not push the limits.” Adam’s voice sounded a bit pompous even to Rapha.
The girl snorted, “This from the one who slipped this morning attempting three back flips from the highest ledge! You seemed awfully grateful to have an angel on hand.”
“It was worth it to hear you scream my name,” he took on a feminine tone, “Oh! Adam!”
The girl blushed. “Well, now you know how it feels.” She stole a glance at him through lowered lashes.
Adam’s heart pounded so hard Rapha could feel it throb through the branch where he perched. Heaven help them if the girl ever realized the true extent of the power she possessed.
Eager to change the subject, she looked out to the lands that stretched beyond their domain on the other side of the garden’s wall. “Just how far does the land go? Does it end where the sky begins?”
“No. If you were to stand at that place, you would see yet more land stretching to another point that seems to reach the sky, then another, then another, following a gentle curve until finally, after many, many times, you would end up right back here.”
The girl’s brow puckered a moment, then she laughed, “You’re teasing, right? Can you imagine animals on the other side standing upside down?”
“Just because you cannot imagine something does not make it false,” Rapha said.
“Alright,” her eyes took on a calculating gleam. “Take me flying. Show me the other side.”
“Hey! She’s not going anywhere without me!” Adam protested.
“We are not allowed to take you outside these walls.”
“So,” she said with a pout, “we’ll never get to explore what’s out there?”
“I do not perceive everything Adonai has in store.”
She pondered a loophole. “We can just dig down until we reach it! We need never go outside the wall!”
Rapha smiled. If only things were so simple. “Do you see how far it is until the earth and sky meet?” He gestured toward the horizon, “Could you dig that far?”
“Well….” she hated to admit defeat. “If we worked long and hard enough….”
“Through solid rock?”
“Oh.” Even her irrepressible will could see his logic.
Adam said, “I don’t see why we should be so desperate to explore the outside. Look around. We could explore for years and never see everything within these walls. Besides, is there another place in all the earth as beautiful as this?”
“No. Adonai has seen to your every need and desire. He has even provided those who can answer your questions about the outside.”
“So what is out there?” she asked as her hungry eyes scanned the horizon.
“The rest of creation; the other men, animals, birds of the air, inhabitants of the water, and things that grow from the ground. These, as you can see, are not the only trees; and every animal has those of its kind outside the garden.”
“Then why were we separated from them, these other men and animals? Do these walls hold us in or keep something bad out?”
Rapha regarded her a moment as he sent a silent plea to Adonai for wisdom. “Actually, the greatest threat is also within these walls.”
That got their attention. Both young people stared at him until a light dawned in her head. “Oh. I remember. You said we are our own worst enemy when we, uh,” she scrunched her forehead, “‘want what Adonai has not put in our reach’ or something like that.”
“No, it was, ‘led astray by their evil desires,’ and you were talking about what caused the wars between God and His creation.” Adam shot a satisfied smile her way.
“Good. You listened. But that is not the enemy to which I refer.”
“The creature in the lake?” The boy wondered, unable to conceive anything more dangerous than that.
“This evil one desires to discover your greatest weakness and lure you to destroy yourself,” Rapha said. “He will manipulate your highest aspiration and make it your master.” As Rapha’s description continued, the sun dimmed and the joyful chirp and chatter around them grew silent. “Then he will devour you as slowly and excruciatingly as possible, feeding on your tortured mind and soul until life becomes a constant torment.”
Rapha hated the effect of his words on the young faces before him. Revulsion shadowed their brows but there was also, playing across their faces, something which concerned him much more—
a gleam of fascination. Words like “torment” and “devour” had no context for them. Even the larger animals in the garden feasted on plants, nutmeats, and fruit. None were prey. How could they comprehend Lucifer when they could not even grasp the words to describe him?
“Do you speak of Lucifer?” Adam’s voice was low, almost reverent. When Rapha nodded they both leaned closer.
“Is it true he can bend others to his will just by the sound of his voice?” her eyes blazed with curiosity.
“He makes what serves him best sound best for all,” Rapha answered. “He is very… seductive.”
“But you used that word when describing mating,” Adam blurted. Immediately a deeper red lit his cheeks, and his eyes, when he turned to her, were warm with anticipation.
“Alright you two. Pay attention,” Rapha said with mock severity. “The word ‘seduce’ can also imply ‘tempting to do wrong.’”
Their brows furrowed in tandem. The young people had no experience with falsehood or trickery beyond a friendly jest. How could he make them understand?
“Outside these walls,” Rapha began, “animals and humans devour each other, the strong prey on the weak and… horrible things happen.”
“No. Adonai would never allow it,” the girl stated.
“Understand. This is not what Adonai created. Long ago, Lucifer seduced mankind. He tricked them. They chose his corruption in return for power.”
“But why didn’t Adonai stop him?” Adam asked.
“What? Force Lucifer to obedience? Is that Adonai’s way?”
“Well, no, but Adonai knows everything, right? Why would He create Lucifer when he knew he would cause so much trouble?”
“What Adonai created was good. Lucifer was His beloved child, like you.”
Adam’s mouth gaped. “No. I would never be Adonai’s enemy.”
“There was a time I would not have believed it of Lucifer,” Rapha said, his face twisting with grief at the memory of that glorious head resting against Adonai’s breast.
