by Summer Lee
“No. It was me who struck you.”
“Yes, it was you! You struck me down as a bolt of lightning.”
“Dearest, forgive me for hurting you. I will pray for you to heal quickly.”
Silently, Rachael asked God to give her strength to face her future. She wanted to trust Him completely. All she needed now was time.
She had a lot to think about.
Chapter Twenty-six
It was the Sabbath.
Rachael felt joyful as she sat talking to her father’s elderly cousin. “It is so good to see you again,” said Ava.
“I’m happy to be home for a while.”
“How do you feel?”
“I am well now after my…accident.”
“I heard. A bolt of lightning hit you.”
“Yes.”
“What does it mean?”
“To listen more closely to God,” Rachael said.
Ava said, “I will be attending worship today. Would you care to join me?”
“I certainly would. I have not been to a worship service since I left home.” Rachael folded her hands under her chin. “God is good to me.”
“Worship will be good for you as well.”
“I believe you are right.”
“Do you remember Lamech?”
“Yes. Mother’s cousin.”
“He is usually the speaker on Saturday, but today is different. Methuselah is making a rare appearance this evening.”
“That sounds fantastic!”
“Many spend the night there afterward. I don’t know yet what we should do. It depends on how dark it is when it’s over,” said Ava. “Is that all right with you?”
The answer was confirmed by the excitement in the way that Rachael agreed. “Certainly.”
“I usually walk for the exercise. Want to do that?”
“That would be wonderful. I need to get out after being inside for so long.”
Rachael and Ava dressed and walked to Buto, the next village over. The small town of Buto, with its buildings and walls built entirely with sun-dried mud bricks, lay just east of Alalakh and north of Khalab. The red clay that covered the hills supplied plenty of terracotta and straw to make the vermilion-colored mud bricks.
Rachael had always thought the town was beautiful in its own rustic way. “It has been so long since I was last here.”
As they arrived in Buto, Ava said, “I come here every time the prophet, Methuselah, speaks, just as I always came to hear the prophet, Enoch. I am excited to hear what he has to say today.”
The small town seemed to be buzzing with activity. Indeed, the two ladies were not the only such ones arriving. Dozens of people were appearing on dirt roads, all converging into town, and all filled with eagerness.
“Those people love your great-uncle,” Ava said to Rachael. “I do too. He feeds our soul and gives us fresh words from El, just like his father did.”
The two ladies joined the throng, and entered the large outdoor arena, looking for a seat. “The prophet should be here soon,” said Ava.
“I see Mother and Father down there. Let’s sit with them.”
Torches crackled around the perimeter. Musicians played as the large crowd quickly gathered. Many people sat on the grassy hill that overlooked the spot where Methuselah would be speaking. Beyond them was the temple, which was a massive edifice rising into the darkening sky.
The two ladies walked down the steps to the lower seats to sit with Rachael’s mother and father. “Hello,” said Kenana. “May we sit by you?”
“Hello to you. I didn’t expect to see you here. How did you get here?” Kenana asked with concern.
Rachael grinned, feeling proud. “Ava and I walked.”
“Where’s your husband?” asked King Asher.
“He doesn’t come to things like this.”
“Are you well enough to be out walking after such an injury?”
“Yes, I really feel quite well.”
“I’m so happy you’re feeling better!” Kenana smiled and hugged her daughter.
At that moment, someone stepped up and announced loudly that Prophet Methuselah would be speaking shortly. Rachael gasped and clapped with excitement.
After those in attendance found their seats, the loud buzzing conversations soon dwindled to a hushed silence. Rachael watched Queen Kenana with a happy heart. The queen quietly admired her uncle. When he stepped out to speak, walking carefully with his crooked cane, all cheered.
Standing in the middle of it all, was the seer, Prophet Methuselah. With him were his son and grandson: Lamech and Noah, who were both Rachael’s relatives. He lifted his hands to silence the crowd.
Rachael knew that her family was different, because they tried to live in righteousness and honor the Lord at all times.
After worshiping the God of Heaven in song, Lamech motioned for all to stay seated, he said, “We have a little surprise for you now. The occasion for this gathering is different than usual.” He motioned. “Come up here, you two.”
Tyro and Leah stood and walked up on the platform. Rachael whispered to her father, “Are they going to sing?”
“I have no idea,” said Asher.
Lamech spoke. “This young couple has asked to be married before you today.” Most people clapped and cheered. Kenana and Asher were clapping the loudest.
Lamech said, “Before Tyro and Leah take their vows, I would like to read a scripture. These are words recorded in heaven for couples who love each other.” He picked up a clay tablet and read. “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh how beautiful. Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shaved, coming up from the washing. Each has its twin. No one of them is alone.”
The prophet looked at the couple. “Do you agree to be kind and loving to each other always?”
“Yes, we do,” they said in unison.
“Well then, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
The whistles and cheers rang out.
“If you all would look behind you, you will see some oxcarts pulling up with food trays and drinks. We can’t have a wedding without food now, can we?”
Interlude – The Watcher
Sammael had found his replacement, but was not finished going to Heaven. He would pay for his disobedience. Every fallen angel automatically was punished severely for disobeying the laws of Heaven. They always reported before the throne of God the Almighty One. Sammael was no exception. El had a great gift of making all feel love when near him, even angels who knew that their punishment only came because of their disobedience.
Sammael always received so much spiritual inspiration whenever he was in the presence of the Holy One. However, he could not conquer his evil side, and angels had no redeemer, such as was promised to humans.
It was a time for judgments to be passed down. A meeting was called, and all spiritual beings were required to attend. Sammael saw Lucifer there with a long list of those who he condemned. Rachael’s name was on the list.
When Lucifer read Rachael’s name, Sammael stepped forward and defended her. “She just needs a clean garment,” Sammael said. “She needs a cloak of righteousness.”
Sammael had never known love like Rachael’s. The true feelings that he had for her had no words. Sammael had used manipulation to get Rachael to do what he wanted her to do…marry him. The eyes of his soul were being opened. Now he wondered what it was in his nature that caused him to be evil. Perhaps he should talk to Rachael and acknowledge to her the things he had done wrong in past centuries.
Having given a good word for Rachael caused Sammael to feel respectable. But he would never be forgiven, because there was no plan to restore fallen angels, even half-favorable ones. But, he decided, giving a good word for Rachael could not hurt.
He saw Aurora and asked her to speak for Rachael at the next council meeting. He wanted Rachael to be safe. Aurora said that the Son of God would someday come and die in the plac
e of people. They would only have to believe. She said, “Rachael believes.”
Yes, Rachael was one who descended from a line of righteous prophets. She had heard truth and she believed all that she had heard about God. Sammael would return to Rachael and love her as she deserved to be loved.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Sunset decorated the western sky with its coat of many colors of light, from vermilion to orange to russet to a royal purple. Excitement filled the air with people excited to visit with friends and celebrate the marriage of the hero of the land.
Attracted by the opportunity to be part of something fun, local vendors had donated pottery and food for the celebration. They arrived with garlands, flowers, and colored ribbons.
Cooks and servers were there laughing and tasting the food over the hot fires, making sure everything would be delicious.
The feast was served right out in the open to the entire congregation.
The musicians played on the platform below, giving joy to the people. Everyone laughed, danced and sang gleefully as the moon appeared brightly above. Rachael felt an arm slip around her waist. She turned into the face of Sammael.
“Hello, my love,” he said.
“Greetings, my husband.” She kissed him. She looked into his eyes. The evil Sammael was gone. His good side had returned. “How do you feel?”
“Wonderful!”
People were dancing all over the room. Rachael and Sammael first danced with others before they returned to one another. Sammael stole her away for the next dance. “Would you like to dance with your husband?”
Rachael laughed. “I thought you would never ask.”
He said, “It is so good to see you.”
“You, too.” She kissed him. “Welcome back.”
He sighed and returned the kiss.
“Were you in Heaven?”
“Yes.”
“How was your meeting with your replacement?” she asked.
“Good,” Sammael replied. “He will keep the demons away from you.”
“I am relieved and grateful.”
“I went to a meeting about you.”
“Me? Why me?” She stopped dancing.
He continued to hold her hand. Looking into her eyes, he said, “God loves you because you have so much faith in him. He told me so.”
“So, what was the decision about me?”
“You will always be cared for,” said Sammael. “No matter how my life on Earth ends, you will have your guardian angel to watch over you.”
“I am thankful to hear that about myself, but what about you?”
“You are my main concern now. I am happy that you have found favor with God.”
“What will happen next?” Rachael clasped his hands in hers. “Are we to return to Babylon?”
“Yes. But for now you should enjoy your family and friends. It may be a while before you get back to see them.” He reached for her hand.
Rachael clasped his hand and the two walked around visiting with those that Rachael had known while she was growing up. She introduced Sammael to the ones he had never met before. The mood was cheerful as the girls told her she had caught a good one. “I agree,” she said.
She saw Aaron talking seriously to Prophet Lamech. “I wonder what they are talking about.”
“Babylon,” he said.
“What is going on back home?” she asked.
“It is not good,” he said.
Rachael stopped to listen. She heard Aaron say something about Babylon. She wondered what had been going on while she was gone. He was saying, “Our city was attacked recently, and many buildings were destroyed. I will be taking soldiers with me to search out our enemy.”
“That is good,” said the prophet. “You want the palace to be safe before Princess Rachael returns to Babylon.”
“You are right. That is why I am sending some of our best soldiers ahead of us to scout the surrounding area.”
Aaron agreed that it was an urgent plan.
“Good,” said the prophet. “That is very good.”
Hannah had tears in her eyes as she kissed her new husband goodbye. Aaron held her tight and then moved away. There would be many such farewells during their marriage.
Rachael watched Aaron bow and depart. She knew he would now go to round up the soldiers. She looked into Sammael’s face. “Did you know about this?”
“Yes,” he said. “But Aaron knows how to handle it better than I do. I have not had much experience with human wars.”
A full moon was riding high above the palace now. The clouds were playing peek-a-boo with the moon, allowing shadows to fall on the people below.
She watched Tyro and Leah as they talked joyfully with friends. She went over and congratulated them. “Father is going to speak,” said Tyro.
“Great.”
About that time, an announcement was made. “We have asked the father of the bride and the father of the groom to toast the bride and groom.”
“Let’s go over to where Father is speaking,” she said to Sammael.
He agreed. “I need to know what is going on around here as well.”
As Asher walked up to the stage, she saw that her father was very serious as he spoke. Asher showed signs of becoming a more spiritual man now that he was older. It gave Rachael peace to see him stronger and more determined to be a better king. “Come up here, you two,” he said.
When Tyro and Leah approached him, he said, “I am proud of both of you. I believe your lives will make a difference in this world.”
He kissed them both on each cheek. The newlyweds stepped back.
Now the king was addressing his people. “Remember, God wants you to plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Cleanse your hearts and minds before the Lord. Confess your sins to God. Offer your sacrificial lambs and repent.”
He stepped down and said, “I will be sacrificing an animal at the temple for myself and my family and friends. If any of you want to join me, you can be free from guilt and shame, as well.”
Rachael glanced over at Kenana, who was watching Asher address the congregation. It was different with her. She was hardly ever by the king’s side anymore. Her attention was drawn away to more worldly interests now. All one would have to do was look for Tall, and Kenana would be close by.
Even now, as Tall walked up on the dais to toast the newlyweds, Kenana was by his side. After Tall gave his speech, Tyro led the crowd in a cheer.
King Asher would be spending his time alone with God in prayer. Rachael knew him well enough that he would let Kenana go. She had been a wild one that he could not tame.
She now looked around for her mother, and she was right. Kenana and Tall were sitting in the half-light of the moon, out under the arbor visiting and laughing. They were facing each other, conversing in low tones.
“Wait here for me,” she said to Sammael. “I will return shortly.”
Rachael was on the alert at once that something was not as it should be, so she walked over to where the two were sitting.
“What’s going on?” Rachael asked briskly.
Kenana said, “Tall and I are just talking.”
“Is that what you call it?” She felt rage inside for Kenana’s betrayal of Asher.
Tall looked Rachael in the eye. “It is obvious we are not making love. Is that what you are referring to?”
“I just know this is not fair to my father. While he is over by the temple teaching people about God, you two are over here making eyes at each other.”
It was obvious that Tall and Kenana enjoyed being together and laughing with each other, but that did not make it right. Kenana belonged by her husband’s side. That was how Rachael felt, but their marriage was over and Rachael knew it.
She felt Sammael walk up behind her. “Come with me, my love,” he said pulling her away from her mother and Tall.
Lamech stood on a chair and clapped his hands loudly to quiet the crowd. “I want to remind everyone to go to the temple tomorrow to
get your sins covered. When it comes time to offer the sacrifice, I have selected the best lambs to be sacrificed. Our king gave the finest gold for the purchasing of garments and curtains in the temple. Plus, he has enabled the priests to always look their best.”
There was a murmur of approval from the people.
“We want to show respect to the God of Heaven,” Asher said. King Asher had decreed a fifteen percent tax on all of a man’s earnings for every adult citizen in Alalakh. A tithe of that amount went to support the priests who maintained the temple of God. The money was to be set apart once a month.
Asher told Rachael that he wanted to set a good example for all to see that he served the God of Heaven. He was told at an early age that God had set him apart to be a Goel, one who could redeem the people. He had always been Kenana’s Goel.
“Father,” she said. “I think Mother needs a Goel now.”
“Are you referring to her relationship with Tall?”
“Yes,” said Rachael. “I think she is being unfaithful to you.”
Asher nodded. “I have felt her distance. You know, Rachael, you may be right.”
“What she needs is cleansing of her soul right now.”
Asher sighed. “My job has always been to watch over her, no matter what she does.”
“What is that?”
“I am sure she will return to Adah with Tall.”
“What will you do when she does?”
“I will spend much time with the priests. Tyro and Leah will take a leadership role as Prince and Princess of Mesopotamia.”
“Good choices.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
The time came for the Babylonian royalty to go home. She would take all of her childhood belongings with her. With her bags packed, Rachael was ready to depart. She stood alone in her empty childhood room as the sun’s early rays crossed the wooden plank floor and warmed her legs. She would miss this little room. A tear ran down her cheek.
The curtain at the window ruffled and her husband entered the room and stood by her.
“I see you are packing to return to Babylon.”
“Yes. I am taking everything that is mine.”
“You can store the things in your special room at the palace in Babylon.”
