by Sue Watkins
“Sorry sir I was not sure it was you, you are different and you have been gone so long. Did you go far? We all worried…” The boy took the reins but kept his head down not wanting to stare at Nimrod.
“What do you mean I have been gone for so long? I left yesterday.” As he disputed the boy’s words Nimrod looked about, everyone was staring, even several were pointing at him. Perplexed, he grabbed the boy’s arm, shook it, as he demanded to know, “What has happened?”
Without looking into Nimrod’s eyes, the boy did his best to answer, “Sir, you have been gone for two months. A search party found your camp but not you or the horse. We believed you had left us, sir. What happened to you…the horse is the same…but you are different.”
Reactively Nimrod asked, “Different, how so?” When the boy’s words penetrated into cognitive though he shook the boy’s arm again, “Two months? That is not possible, I left only yesterday.”
“Not so my lord, you have been gone for two new moons,” the boy pointed toward the sky to make his point. “Sir for the first eight days and nights, men searched. They found your camp and followed the tracks of the horse to the ravine, but then sir, all trace of you and the horse disappeared. When after twenty more days of searching without a trace, they gave up.”
Shocked by this, Nimrod let go of the boy and went directly to the house of Shushan.
************
Nimrod did not lie but neither did he tell the truth to Shushan. He simply said he had found Enki and had gone exploring with Enki. He apologized for the inconvenience and for the worry and concern his actions had caused. Then he simply avoided the subject. Several days passed and then Nimrod sought for and received the permission he needed to find ten strong able-bodied young men to help him implement his plan. The right artisans found, his bow was restrung, his knives balanced and calibrated, his spears and arrows shaped and fashioned to his specifications, and leather drums were made according to his demands.
He tested and re-tested the tension in his bow until it was perfected. He drilled the drumbeaters until they performed without hesitation upon at his hand signals. Then he trained five of the young men in the art of throwing spears, lecturing them as to what to expect, and how to anticipate the behavior of the lions. He explained in detail the importance of standing their ground and watching for his signals. Each signal rehearsed, repeatedly, until both the drumbeaters and the spear throwers could all act as a unit of exacting precision.
Confident the ten would not be a detriment to the accomplishment of his goal, Nimrod announced he would leave the following morning after breakfast and not return until all of the lions were dead.
Two weeks had passed since he had returned to the village, and yet the opportunity to inform Shushan he possessed the garments had not presented itself. But now, he could wait no longer; he had to announce he possessed the lambskins.
The morning he was to leave, Nimrod excused himself from breakfast, withdrew to his room and pulling his rucksack from its hiding place behind a chest, he unrolled Adam and Eve’s lambskin garments. He put one of the lambskins over his blue tunic as a vest, and the other he laid across his shoulders as a mantle.
Securing lambskins by a leather girdle, he ran his hand over the nubby fur and debated whether to place his breastplate over the skins. Weighing the pros and cons, Nimrod decided the breastplate would weaken the effect he desired. The dark brown leather belt blending with the golden fleece of the lambskins was the imposing iconic image he wished for, all that was needed was the golden clasp of his father’s insignia. The clasp in place, the lambskins in place, Nimrod removed the quiver and detached his bow from the disregarded breastplate, then using a leather tie he fashioned the quiver onto his back and hung the bow over his shoulder. Satisfied, he cavalierly rejoined Shushan and his guests at the breakfast table.
Upon noticing Nimrod, Shushan jumped to his feet, unwontedly showing surprise he exclaimed, “You…you are wearing Adam’s lambskins!”
Throwing back his head in unbridled mirth Nimrod laughed at his host’s shock. His long black braid swung back and forth with the movement of his shaking head while he replied, “No, I’m wearing the provision of Ba’el.”
Shushan reached out to the intimidating figure of the younger man and ran his hands over the lambskins, “Do you mean those aren’t the lambskins given to Adam?”
Still chuckling, Nimrod shook his head again, “No… I mean Ba’el gave me the skins. As I told you Enki found me.” Nimrod stroked the soft wool splayed across his chest as he added, “Enki gave me these to empower me for the hunt. You can praise Ba’el. It was he, who made sure I would have the skins for this occasion. And yes, of course, they are the garments of Adam. Do they not have the markings of a melek upon them as well as the blessings of the gods?”
“Why are they gold, have they always been?” Shushan felt the mystical charge when he touched the lambskins. He knew there was something he had not been told, but he also appreciated he had to precede with caution, he too had his secrets. Shaking his head he muttered, “I never knew they were gold.”
“No, that is Ba’el’s doing.”
Bowing slightly Shushan backed away and said, “Then Semiramis will be yours when you return, that is, if you kill all of the lions.”
Narrowing thick black eyebrows Nimrod folded both arms across his chest, “You doubt that I can?”
“No…that’s not,” Shushan put out a hand in protest, “of course, when you return with proof that the lions are dead, she will be yours.”
“All right, I will bring you proof. And here’s something for you to think about while I am gone. Ba’el gave me a plan for a great city.” He rocked on his heels as he spoke, “A city that’s to be built here. I’ll discuss the matter with you when the lion’s skins are rugs before your fires. We will have a great many things to discuss when I return. I’ll send you word if, for some reason we cannot return by three to four days hence. Now, I must ride while the day is still young.”
Mid-morning the following day, Nimrod and the young men were still searching for signs of the lions when suddenly they came upon tracks. Even though the tracks were not fresh, feeling certain they were near the lions’ liar, Nimrod sent the ten back to their camp and he went on alone.
Raham catching the smell of water began to prance. Nimrod knowing his mount well gave the animal its head, and sure enough, Raham took him straight to water. Dismounting, Nimrod walked the perimeter of the small spring fed pond, in the tall bulrush, near the water’s edge, Nimrod found fresh tracts and a distinct trail. Climbing back in the saddle he stood in the stirrups and looked carefully in all directions. Upwind on a grassy knoll, due west, was a single lion basking in the midday’s sun.
Speaking gently to his horse, Nimrod positioned Raham and released the reins, his mount would not move unless he signaled him with his knees. He removed the bow from where he had it attached to his shoulder and prepared for the kill. Slowly making only slight movements, he retrieved two arrows from the pouch on his back. Lifting the bow, he placed one arrow in his mouth, the other he laid across the bow. He eased the string back against his right shoulder until it was impossible for the string to give further. When he was confident he would hit his target, he whistled through the shank of the arrow in his mouth. The sound, a high ear piercing shrill startled the lioness. Leaping to her feet, she readied for attack, at that moment, Nimrod released the bowstring and the lioness fell where she stood.
Having killed the first of the lionesses he prepared for the next. While two of the young men fetched the carcass of the dead lion, the remaining eight went to work digging a pit as instructed near to the pond. When satisfied the pit met to his specifications Nimrod sent several of the young men to capture three gazelles. Using the gazelles, he baited the trap and strategically placed the young men around the pit.
For two days, Nimrod armed and ready, waited, the lads tired and bored, waited, the pit disguised by branches and leaves, waited, even the gaze
lles fighting against their restraints, waited. Yet nothing happened until the third day. Early the third day two lionesses driven by thirst and hunger sought the prey offered at the pit. Catching the scent of the approaching lions the gazelles panicked. Their cries accomplished what Nimrod had hoped. Coming from the north the unsuspecting lions broke into a run thinking they had trapped the gazelles. The bodyweight of the rushing lions collapsed the branches and the startled lionesses fell onto bamboo stakes. Unable to escape, the lions were easier to kill than the spearing of fish in a shallow pond.
After assigning the chore of removing the two dead lions from the pit, Nimrod set out again, and as before, he went alone, backtracking the lionesses’ trail. It had stormed early, before daybreak and the ground was still moist. Going in the opposite direction of the paw prints was child’s play. Easily, he located the den and seven cubs of varying ages.
Male lions don’t hunt if the females are able to find prey. Nimrod knowing this knew he had to make sure the male was not near the den in order to carry out his plan. The first time around the den, he walked his horse, and then thereafter, each time widening the loop he cantered Raham around the outer limits of the den, making the circle four times. Fortune with him, the male was nowhere that he could detect.
Nimrod armed himself with a knife and his bow. Riding Ramah up to the lair’s craggy opening, he dismounted. As he got off Raham’s back, he took a hasty survey of the cubs. Easily counting seven cubs, ranging from three to four months to under a year of age, he deduced these cubs were the extent of the litter. Taking six arrows from his quiver, he prepared for the kill. As he inched forward toward the older two cubs he heard a mewing from behind, turning he looked over his shoulder and saw a white cub approaching. The cub, less than eight weeks old, would be the cub allowed to live.
Using arrows to kill the older cubs as they ran in fear of him, he waited until he was sure all were dead, and then turning to the youngest he began slitting their throats. One by one and until all six had been drained of blood. Then he gathered the six carcasses and stuffed into two large pouches, which he laid across Ramah’s shoulders. Catching the white cub by the nape of its neck, he stared at his newly found treasure, and then gently tying the paws of the cub with a leather string, he mounted his horse and laid the cub across his thighs.
Making his way back to the pit he would sporadically remove one of the dead lion cubs and drop it on the trail. When he reached the pit, he found it uncovered with the young men nowhere in sight. Furious he returned to the camp and some minutes later, Nimrod and a newly disciplined entourage of young men trotted in a single file back to the pit. The white cub was gently lowered into the pit and then fresh branches laid down as cover. Nimrod took his place and waited, at dusk the wait ended.
Nimrod had planned for the adult male to seek vengeance. Anticipating the animal would act on instinct and track the trail he had so cautiously laid he expected the lion to approach the pit from the south as he had. What he didn’t count on was the cunningness of the lion. The lion didn’t come from the south. He came from the north.
The lion had not tracked the dead cubs, but instead tracked Raham. Not wanting to endanger his prized possession, Nimrod had left Raham at the camp grazing. He never thought the lion would outsmart him.
When Raham caught the scent of the approaching lion, he instinctively sought his master. Running at full thundering force, he led the lion to the pit.
As Ramah sped toward him, Nimrod instantly deduced the reason and began to shout for the drummers to make noise. On the run, he gathered the needed arrows from his quiver and loaded his bow as he mentally prepared for the attack.
Confused by the drumming noise the lion slowed for a second giving Nimrod the opportunity he looked for. Ready for the exact second, Nimrod released three arrows. Two arrows hit and the third went beyond the speeding lion. The two that hit unfortunately did not stop the advancing lion, one grazed a shoulder and the other stuck in a flank. Writhing in agony the lion twisted and snapped to stop the pain, but he nonetheless kept running. The lion’s momentum slowed and that gave Nimrod the needed second to implement another plan.
With only one arrow left in his quiver, Nimrod removed it and as he did, he shouted for the spear throwers to move forward. Positioned between the lion and the spear throwers, Nimrod motioned for the youths to move in closer. As they came closer, the lion moved toward him.
The lion crouched, prepared for a lunging attack, but as the young men crept forward and their movements distracted the lion, Nimrod gathered the few seconds he needed. Keeping his eyes on the lion, Nimrod waited and then when he saw the slight tuck of the lion’s head, Nimrod signaled. The spears all released simultaneously missed their mark. While no spear hit the lion, Nimrod’s plan hit its mark. In that one brief moment that it had taken for the spears to fall, Nimrod prepared for the rush. His bow ready he went down on one knee, and at the precise second the lion lunged, he released the arrow in his bow. Upon release of the arrow he tossed the bow aside and rolled and reached for the knife he held in his teeth. However, Nimrod did not need to prepare for combat because his arrow penetrated the lion’s heart. In mid-air, the lion released his fury and his breath as he fell beside Nimrod, dead.
27
“Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering, with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of Gods holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. Revelation 17:1-6 NIV
And Terah had twelve gods of large size, made of wood and stone, after the twelve months of the year, and he served each one monthly, and every month Terah would bring his meat offering and drink offerings to his gods; thus did Terah all the days. Book of Jasher 9:8
Nimrod ordered the lions to be stripped of their skins, and their headless bodies burned. Once the task was complete, the hunting party packed up their camp and returned to the village. They arrived at sunset the following day. Too late in the day for a victory celebration but not too late for a private dinner with Shushan.
Harmon and Abedah, Shushan’s brother and eldest son joined Nimrod as the guests of this small dinner party. After the removal of food and dishes, the small group lingered sipping wine and listening with great amusement as the guest of honor animatedly recounted the hunt and kill, but then without warning Nimrod abruptly changed the subject.
He began speaking of his visit with Enki and then spoke of Ba’el. Nimrod told his audience of the plans for a great city named Babylon. That it would be the gateway of the gods. “And in the city we’ll build a tower and it will reach to the stars,” Nimrod leaned forward and tapped the table. “While I was with Enki, Ba’el appeared. He showed me the layout of the city. The temple of course will be built to honor him…”
“Uh,” irritated Shushan interrupted. Placing his wine glass on the table, he leaned forward. “You want to build a city? And who is to do the work?” Drawing an imaginary circle around the room with his index finger, he asked, “Us?”
“Yes, and I’ll need to build ships and form an army as well.” Nimrod nodded and stood, not realizing the arrogance of his words. “I must travel to the west into the territories of Shem to find needed craftsmen. While I’m gone the people in the village must begin to prepare the land for wheat and other such grain for we’ll need to feed an army of builders.”
“Do you think those of my father’s house will return
with you?” The elder man shrugged his shoulders, “I cannot see a member of Shem’s family agreeing to build a city for one of Ham’s family.” The more he thought of this the more incredulous the concept became; he was struggling not to show the ire he felt. “Who are you that you can command them, or me, for that matter? You should keep in mind the land is not yours, it’s mine!”
“Of course you’re right the land is your territory.” Nimrod walked the short distance between them. “That’s why I need for you to travel with me. The city will be yours to govern…for Ba’el…not for me.” Laying a hand on Shushan’s shoulder he continued, “Look I’m the messenger. These plans aren’t mine. We all need to work together to make this happen.” Patting Shushan’s shoulder, he turned away, “I know nothing will happen without you, but I alone have seen the plans. I alone, however, cannot make this happen. We must band together to put Ba’el’s plan into action. If you wish, I’ll go look for Enki and bring him to you. Maybe you’ll believe me if he confirms what I say to you, nonetheless, it’s my assignment to build an army of warriors, and it’s yours to build an army of artisans.”
Turning to Abedah, Nimrod asked, “Do you know how to build an agricultural system that’s capable of feeding an army?”
Abedah stood and nodded his assent, “Yes, but only if my father agrees. What do you mean you will build an army of warriors? Where will you find warriors? With whom will you war?”
“The plan is this, Shushan and I will travel to the tribes of Shem. Once we are in the villages of Shem’s tribes, we must persuade them to join us. Some will come to build and some will come because they’re willing to fight against the growing numbers of Canaan’s sons. That’s where the wars must begin, with Canaan’s sons. They will serve our purposes, and once I’ve trained the tribes of Shem, and once we control Canaan, I’ll go into the territories of my brothers, and we’ll make war with them.