by Sue Watkins
Enmerkar didn’t know until late in the day there was a problem in the village. Having agreed to hunt the lions, he had spent most of the day looking for their watering hole. Knowing animals create routines of behavior, he concluded if he found their watering hole, he could backtrack to their den.
The tall savannah grasses of the river had given way to mounds of dried clay and white limestone crags, any of which would serve as an ideal den for the lions, but the day had remained fruitless, he had not found the watering hole, nor a single track of anything other than field rats.
As the sun’s shadows deepened, Enmerkar turned Ramah and headed back to the village. As he neared, he could hear the sounds of wailing, the sounds of mourning were unmistakable. Someone had died. Dismounting Raham, he led the animal slowly toward a gathering crowd. The same lad who had cared for his horse the day before spotted Enmerkar and came running with the news, two young men, shepherds were dead, they had been killed by the lions.
Enmerkar handing Raham’s reins over to the lad immediately questioned, “Were they killed in the pasture? Did the lions take them off? Did the lions mutilate them?”
“No, they were mauled but not mutilated,” the boy answered. “Lord Shushan wishes to see you, sir. He’s in his house. He’ll answer your questions, sir.”
Upon entering Shushan’s home, Enmerkar surmised from the number of men in the house, a village council was in session. Shushan spotting Enmerkar as he entered motioned for the younger man to come to his side. Bowing respectfully, Enmerkar whispered, “My condolences, I was told of the tragedy.” Turning and looking about, he asked, “Does anyone know exactly what happened?”
“The young shepherds were attending the flock when two lionesses approached the herd.” Shushan closed his eyes and shook his head as he continued, “Sensing the danger the sheep scattered and the predators gave chase. I suppose the boys thought they could somehow frighten the lions but instead managed to trap themselves between the lions and the sheep. The lions did what lions do; they eliminated the obstacle that stood between them and a meal.”
Shushan pointed to an empty couch. ”I must sit.” As Shushan moved toward his couch he continued, “The other shepherds distracted the lions long enough for both the injured shepherds to crawl to safety. Before everything was over, several sheep were sacrificed to the lions as decoys, but most unfortunately of all, both young men died late this afternoon.”
Shaking his head, Enmerkar commiserated, “That’s a great shame. It’s rare that a lion kills a human. Yet, once they do, they are apt to do it again. We need to kill these lions as soon as possible. I’ll sleep in the pasture tonight.”
That evening Enmerkar left Raham in the village and walked to the pasture where he joined the shepherds preparing for the night watch. He did not expect the lions to return to the pasture so soon after a kill, nevertheless knowing there was a possibility he could be wrong, he prepared for all contingencies by arming himself with everything except the lambskins.
Walking about the pasture, Enmerkar’s thoughts kept returning to the matter of the lambskin garments. Shushan believed Enki would restore the garments. If he suddenly showed up wearing them, he would need to explain how he came to have possession of them. His mind imagined all possible scenarios he could invent. He had to have a plausible explanation in order to put on the lambskins and wear them before setting out in search of the lions.
His father had said no prey would escape him if he wore the garments. To his thinking, it was imperative to wear the garments to hunt the lions, especially since the lions had tasted human blood. And it was equally vital, if he were to remain in the territory to have a reasonable explanation concerning the lambskin garments.
Time passed quickly and soon the dawn began to break, having not slept during the night, Enmerkar spotted a small grassy knoll, strolled the few hundred yards from the camp and stretched out on the grass. Locking his fingers behind his head, he continued to think upon the lambskins as he stared at the fading night sky. One thought led to another, and he began to wonder why everyone believed Shem would succeed Noah. Shem was the second son not the first. By the rights of firstborn, Japheth should inherit the garments, if Noah still possessed them. His body tired and his brain weary of thought, Enmerkar began to drift into sleep when he heard, what is it to you, or to Japheth, if El Elyon should choose to bring the Promised One through the lineage of a second son rather than the first? The garments did not belong to Ham. He dishonored his father. Do not follow his example. There is no magic in the garments. They represent the forgiveness and mercy of a loving God. They were given to the first Melek. They belong to the Melek. El Elyon loves you, son of Cush, son of Ham and he extends his mercy to you. He seeks you. Forgiveness waits for you!
Enmerkar sat up and looked around, no one was near. “Is there someone here?”
No one answered.
“Forgiveness for what?” He paused then asked, “If you hear me, what is it that I have done?”
You do not believe in El Elyon’s provision for redemption, nor have you accepted him as the only God, the true God.
Rising upon his knees, Enmerkar argued, “El Elyon destroyed Earth…and Ba’el exists, did not Shushan say this place is the territory of Ba’el, the master god?” Then standing he covered his mouth with one hand and put the other on his hip as he contemplated the strength of his beliefs, “I am right, I know I am. Ba’el is real.”
After some moments, he dropped to the ground again and looked to the eastern horizon where the sun’s rays were breaking through the night’s darkness. Defiantly he asked, “Why can’t there be more than one god? Why should I worship only El Elyon? How can El Elyon be the only God, as you say? Who was the one who wore the breastplate of gold?” Not expecting the voice to answer, he was surprised when he heard; El Elyon cannot share your heart. No one can have two masters. You will hate one and love the other. You heard the story from Noah as he gave you great wisdom. He told you of the war that is depicted by the Mazzaroth. Accept the One who sits on the Throne of Aravot. Redemption cannot be yours because of the garments, nor can your reward come because you kill a lion. If you trust in the love of El Elyon, he will lead you to redemption. El Elyon is willing to transform you through his acts of love, and if you accept this, he will reward you and give you immortality of life in Zevul.
Enmerkar sat up on his hunches and thought about everything he knew about the gods. All his life he had believed in the superiority of his father over the common man. Told repeatedly that he was different and had a destiny of greatness, he believed his father. Whoever was speaking to him from the invisible world promised nothing He wanted greatness. Enmerkar stood and then said with no remorse, “I do not accept what you say. I shall go to the river and find the one who is called Enki. He will reward me. I’ll kill the lions and men will bow before me. I do not need El Elyon. I possess the garments of Adam. They already empower me as my father foretold.”
No one answered.
After making his way to the village just after daybreak Enmerkar informed Shushan he would be absent for a day and a night. The shepherds must keep the bonfires burning until he returned. Gathering all of his belongings and tying them to Raham’s saddle, he set out to find Enki.
It was late in the day when the signs indicated he was in the same area that Jared and his friend had been when they encountered Enki. Pulling back on the reins, he halted Raham and then scanned the vista. From the cliff where he was to the river, looked to be the same as Jared had described.
In the distance, the Euphrates looked like a ribbon of navy blue as it twisted into the green horizon of the river valley. Enmerkar once again had the feeling he was in the land of the gods. He made the decision to go no further. This place would offer a safe haven for the evening. Thirty minutes later, he had dug a small hole and laid the wood for a fire. After completing the preparations for a night camp, he inexplicably felt compelled to remount Raham and search for Enki.
Riding east
toward the river, he felt an inner beckoning. Raham sensed something as well, the animal was attentive and alert and seemed to be headed toward someone or something. Coming to a sloping hill, Raham picked his way cautiously down it and into a cropping of oak and poplar trees that grew alongside a slow-moving tributary of the river. At the stream, Raham slowed to drink and Enmerkar took the opportunity to assess their surroundings.
Darkness was overtaking them. The narrow deep ravine had captured the hues of purple in the twilight sky and turned them black. Enmerkar felt a shiver, a foreboding that warned he would not get another chance, if he continued he would enter perpetual darkness. A chill ran down his spine as the premonition of death tightened its grip. Enmerkar had the thought, if I continue to move forward I will die and live in everlasting torment.
As he picked up the reins to turn Raham a more compelling thought entered his mind, if I continue to press forward I will find my destiny of greatness. Perplexed for some moments, Enmerkar weighed his options, and then goaded Raham forward.
As his horse plodded through the stream, the woods grew eerily silent. Other than the occasional clicking of Raham’s hooves against the pebbles in the stream, there was no sound. Every animal and every bird had grown silent. Even the sounds of insects were non-existent. The absence of sound seemed to have removed the oxygen from the air, his taut muscles compressed beyond endurance as nerves seemed to dangle endlessly outside his body. He began to doubt the wisdom of continuing, and then precipitously Enki stepped into view.
From the dark obscurity of the trees, the creature that Enmerkar knew instantly was Enki moved toward him. Telepathically speaking Enki commanded him, Leave your horse, and follow me.
Shade and shadow fell across the creature’s features, yet the supernatural essence was undeniable. At least twenty feet tall, the creature stood upright on two legs, arms and hands dangling past what should be knees, it was difficult to assess the full nature of the beast other than he was not human.
An aurora floated around Enki that invoked fear and produced a sick feeling in the pit of Enmerkar’s stomach. Yet, he could not turn away. He was spellbound, almost to the point of mindlessness. Without warning, Enki began to run, leaving Enmerkar behind. Enmerkar quickly dismounted his horse and ran, following as best he could, like a puppy on its master’s heels.
Thirty minutes later, Enmerkar barely had the creature in sight when the woods gave way into a clearing. Enmerkar averted his eyes to familiarize himself with the new surroundings. When he looked back to where Enki had been, he was no longer there. Then suddenly Enki was standing less than ten feet from him pointing into the night sky.
Enmerkar had to come to an abrupt halt or risked running into Enki. Trying to slow his body, heart, and mind, Enmerkar put both hands on his hips and looked heavenward as he dropped to his knees. What Enki pointed to looked like a falling star. However, as Enmerkar continued to gaze at the star he realized it wasn’t moving across the night sky but was coming toward them from out of the night sky and growing in size. Enmerkar realized he was looking at what Noah had tried to describe, a flying vessel.
It is the chariot of Ba’el, Enki informed.
Laughing at Enmerkar’s continued astonishment, Enki threw his head back in a mocking gesture and demanded, Come now; let’s not keep the master waiting. Motioning for Enmerkar to stand beside him, Enki twisted his body around Enmerkar’s, threw Enmerkar into the air, and then caught him as if he were a mere toy.
Slung onto Enki’s back as if he were a mantle, Enmerkar quickly surmised Enki possessed the ability to fly. Holding his breath, but keeping his eyes open, he watched as they flew over the river and then landed like a bird onto one of the Euphrates’ larger islands. Sliding off the back of the giant, Enmerkar immediately spotted the chariot of Ba’el. It had preceded them to the island.
As they neared the chariot, Enmerkar knew why Noah had found it so difficult to describe the flying vessels of the Nephilim. That the vessel was not of Earth was certain. It wasn’t a chariot, nor was it a ship; it was unlike anything he had ever seen. There was no word known to Enmerkar that gave description. The flying vessel simply had no name.
The unnamed vessel suddenly lit up. Lights flashed randomly around the circular craft and it began emitting a low-pitched hum that caused the hair on his forearms to stand. As Enki approached the silver craft, it shimmered like the morning mist and opened with a hiss, Ba’el emerged.
Shocked Enmerkar found himself suddenly pushed to a kneeling position by Enki. Unable to protest, Enmerkar remained speechless as Enki greeted Ba’el, “My Lord, welcome to your kingdom. We welcome your return. All is in place and awaits your approval.”
Ba’el smirked and waved a hand toward Enki, “It has been more than two hundred years since I stood on the soil of Earth. It’s good that you are prepared for me.” Ba’el turned and reentered the vessel, as he did he motioned, indicating that Enki and Enmerkar were to follow.
Enki grabbed Enmerkar by the nape of his tunic and almost dragged him into the vessel. Enmerkar more dazed by the strangeness of the vessel than by the roughness of his treatment, followed complacently. In awe of the strength of Enki, and bewildered by the mystical Ba’el, he could not pull his wits together.
Ba’el, reading Enmerkar thoughts, said, “You are yet naive, but you shall quickly learn.”
Weakly nodding Enmerkar found his voice and asked, “My Lord, who are you?”
“I am Ba’el, master god of the land in which you live. I’m from a place far and beyond the brilliance of your sun.”
“From this night forward, you will be the one who is from Orion. I take you there, now. You shall be the builder of great cities and the hunter that knows no fear. The garments you have will become the color of gold. This will be a sign to you and others that you possess the prosperity I give. Tonight, I make you a demi-god as I put you on my altar to alter you.”
Ba’el laughed aloud at the play of his words and when his laughter subsided, he winked at Enki and continued. “The ability to succeed in purpose and plan is the prosperity I grant you. You will build for me great temples, and I shall grant you the affluence of a great ruler. You shall bow before me, and people will bow before you. Riches and success beyond your dreams await you when you wear the fleeces of gold. Even before Noah dies, you will become the Melek of Earth.” Ba’el paused and putting a hand upon Enmerkar’s shoulder, he looked deep into the soul of Cush’s son and said, “You have been chosen, but you must also choose. If you are willing, then tonight you become as one of the gods. If you choose to become as one of us, then tonight and for the entirety of your existence, you belong to me. Tell me now what you choose.”
Mesmerized, Enmerkar widened his eyes and replied without hesitation, “I choose you my Lord, of course!”
“Then when you return, you will begin to implement the plans I give you. I shall show you what shall be and how you shall accomplish all that I set before you. I shall equip you for war. There are great wars to come, but you will conquer all that oppose you. I shall give you the power to make war on your brothers and on the tribes of Shem, and indeed on all who rise against you.”
Nimrod bowed at the waist, but before he could say anything Ba’el continued to speak, “I give you a warning and a command. Semiramis must remain a virgin. She will bear my child, not yours. How we mate is not for you to know, but it is not in the way you understand. You must protect and prepare her for that honor. All the same, I shall give you a son, and that son will inherit from you great wealth and power.”
Nimrod nodded, he did not know what else to do.
Telepathically Ba’el continued. I give you Enki as your advisor. The two of you shall become one in the days to come. He is the enabler of all you shall do. Ba’el stood, Come, let me show you Orion, as you have never seen it. Then I will show you the plans for my city, which you shall call Babylon, for it is to be the gateway for the gods.
Nimrod, taken into an inner chamber of the craft was pl
aced upon a cold wedge of crystal. There he learned many things, none meant for mortals. Blueprints and plans, sciences and mathematics, his bandwidth increased as download after download expanded his knowledge.
Endowed by Ba’el with new abilities, many super-natural, Nimrod became Nephilim. Nimrod from that time forward never considered himself a mortal. Rebelling against everything in him that was human, Nimrod became the spawn of the Prince of Babylon. Not birthed through a woman as the pre-flood offspring of fallen angels nevertheless, Nimrod was undeniably Nephilim.
When Nimrod disembarked from the starship, Enki returned him to his camp. Enki asked to hold the lambskins. As Nimrod handed them over, the garments became the color of gold as foretold by Ba’el.
26
There is also another error of the demons, which they suggest to the senses of men … but they are not concealed from us, who know the mysteries of the creation, and for what reason it is permitted of the demons to do those things in the present world; how it is allowed them to transform themselves into what figures they please, and to suggest evil thoughts, and to convey themselves, by means of meats and of drink consecrated to them, into the minds or bodies of those who partake of it, and to concoct vain drams to further the worship of some idol. The Recognitions of Clement, chapter XIX, book IV
His appearance had changed, no one could state with certainty the difference, but all knew the man who had left their village was not the same young man who returned. Even the dogs barked as if he were a stranger, and when the lad who had grown so accustomed to caring for Raham came running to greet Nimrod he too stopped and backed away.
Alighting from the horse and removing the saddle sack Nimrod turned to the boy and thumbing over his shoulder said, “Raham is hungry.” Giving the boy a quick glance as he intended to pass by, he noticed the strange look upon the boy’s face, “And pray tell, what is the matter with you?”