by Sue Watkins
”We’ll eventually travel north to Japheth’s territories. We also need those from Egypt and Libya, and Crete and the lands beyond. It is not their lands we want, it is the people. Those who will perform the menial tasks necessary to build the city. The gods will aid us. These things shall take many years to complete but together we’ll build a great city. We shall govern the world from a great tower, the tower dedicated to Ba’el. The tower will protect us should there be another flood, and even more we shall make a name, a sound for ourselves. That sound will take us beyond our earth and into the heavens; it will give us the possessions and power of the gods.
“I killed five lions and in the same way, I will conquer the world. I possess the Golden Fleece and have the plans from Ba’el for the city. The fields, the wars, and ultimately the tower have all been shown to me. I entreat you to do as I say and within seventy years, we’ll have prosperity beyond measure. We’ll possess the wealth of the world. All trade will come to us and all will come to our city at least once a year for the festivals of Ba’el, and of course, to worship him.”
Picking up his wine glass, Nimrod drank the last of its contents and added, “Your alliance with me and my alliance with the gods guarantee us these rewards. I tell you I’ve seen the future, and it will be so. There will come a day when we shall not only control the world, but the heavens as well. The god of this village is Enki. He is the god of water. He’ll begin to choose servants from your village for the service of Ba’el.” Nimrod moved to stand before Shushan again. “It was he who gave you the well. It’s his assignment from Ba’el to train servants in the ways of Ba’el. You’ll soon see for yourself the shiny chariot of Ba’el. The night I marry Semiramis, Ba’el shall visit the village to celebrate the union between the houses of Ham and Shem, which I am told will unite us all in a common purpose.” Nimrod folded his arms, rocked for a moment and then sat down and waited for someone to say something.
Looking at each other, the men sat in silence. Finally, Shushan scratching his beard shook his head and said, “Some of what you say is not news to me. But I must have time to meditate. Tomorrow I will order a feast to celebrate the killing of the lions. I suggest the day after the feast, we gather to have a full explanation of what you claim Ba’el has said. I’ll seek for greater understanding. I too have my gods, and I must consult with them. In the meantime, I’ll make sure to have the marriage contract prepared. After I introduce Semiramis to you tomorrow evening, you shall decide, since your father is not here, when you shall take her for your wife.” Shushan waved and in so doing dismissed Nimrod and the others as he stood. “Being an old man, I need the comfort of my bed and to meditate on these things.”
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The people gathered at the edge of the village. Everyone wanted to touch and examine the lion skins. Stretched and hung to tan in the sun, the skins with the heads attached fascinated the children and adults alike. Children poked the animals’ heads with sticks and tested their bravery by touching the long sharp teeth with the tips of their fingers. As the admiring adults scrutinized the massive paws, claws, and teeth, they repeated the circulating stories. The progressive tales only served to establish the evolving belief that Nimrod possessed god-like qualities. Unquestionably, his capabilities superseded any mere man of their village.
The ten young men also garnered attention, each youth possessing at least one story, gave an account of how Nimrod tracked and killed the lions. By evening the exploits of Nimrod and his golden fleece had reached mythical proportions, even Raham had become a ‘flying’ horse, outrunning lions and communicating telepathically with his rider.
When at last Nimrod made his appearance at the evening feast, he was unprepared for the magnitude of accolades that greeted him. Given the seat of honor, he initially took no notice of anyone except Shushan who seemed to be ignoring him.
Settling into a comfortable couch at the place of prominence Nimrod felt someone adjust one of the large pillows behind his back. At first taking no notice, he waved his satisfaction and reached for the glass of wine that sat on the table before him. As he put the glass to his lips, his life took a swift change. A young woman took the small couch at his feet and as she did, she smiled and nodded a reserved but unquestionably friendly greeting.
When Shushan leaned in and whispered into his ear the words, “Semiramis, my granddaughter, your betrothed,” Nimrod was overjoyed. Her beauty exceeded all of his expectations. Brown almond-shaped eyes glistened as she again smiled and nodded in his direction. And when she tilted her head and spoke, Nimrod knew he wanted this marriage, “My lord, I hope you’re pleased with the feast?”
Long lustrous black tresses mingled with iridescent strands of scarlet material attached to a small golden crown at the top of her head. The hair and material draped softly across her shoulders and melded into a glistening stream flowing into a pool of loveliness in her lap. Speechless for a moment, he held his wine glass to his lips and stared. Spellbound by her graceful movements, he did not recover his senses until she picked up her wine glass and toasted him, “To your health, sir, it is an honor to meet you.”
Finding his voice, he said simply, “The honor is all mine.” Having recovered his wits he tilted his wine glass and drank the entirety of its contents. Slowly removing the goblet from his mouth, he tipped it in her direction, “Had I realized your beauty, I would have insisted we meet sooner.”
“Thank you, my lord. You should know Lord Ba’el will not approve of our spending time together just yet.”
“Ba…Ba’el, you know Ba’el?”
“Yes, he visited me.”
He needed to know more, he stood and offered his hand, “What do you mean he visited you? How did he visit you? Come, we must speak.”
Semiramis, unable to read his thoughts directly, could however read the ones written across his face. Accepting he needed answers, she too stood, and moving swiftly through the crowded courtyard, maneuvering a path to the outer wall, she turned and waited until Nimrod stood beside her. Together and in silence, they walked away from the noise of the celebration. Once comfortable they would not be overheard, she paused and responded in soft but clear tones, “He came to me in a dream when he first visited me.”
Tall and statuesque, even so Semiramis could in no way attain to Nimrod’s height, as she spoke she raised herself to stand on tiptoes. “Maybe you don’t know... my grandfather has had many dreams for many years. He has spoken of them to me since I was a small girl. He has seen a great city very near here.” She pointed to the east, in the direction of the river, “He told me that when I was born he dreamed I was the queen of that city.”
Nimrod threw his head back and laughed, “That old goat, he’s known all this time.”
“Grandfather said he was fairly sure who you were the moment you first rode into our village. You’re the man who is the builder of that city.”
Reaching out to put a hand on his arm she steadied herself as she flexed on her toes and continued, “He knew you would kill the lions. The night you left to hunt, he told me you would return with a white lion cub. He told me the lions were sent here by the gods to test you and prove that you are the one who would build the great city.” Pausing, she looked around, there were people coming in and going out of the courtyard and its surrounding brick fence, occasionally someone would stop and look their way, but no one yet approached them. “Come, let’s walk. We’re being watched.”
Tucking a hand under one of his arms they walked as she continued revealing the inner workings of her grandfather mind, “My grandfather and his father serve different gods. Grandfather, since he was a small boy has seen things. Most of the things he sees, he shares with no one, that is, until I was born. Ba’el is my grandfather’s god. Grandfather came to this valley because Ba’el told him to, and speaking of Ba’el, we must announce our betrothal on the day you take leave to travel west to the land of my forefathers.”
Stopping abruptly, she looked around. When confident no one w
as listening she stated in a matter-of-fact tone, “But I’m not to let you touch me until I bring forth my first child who will be a son who I am to call Marduk.”
Nimrod looked at her in astonishment, “He told you this?”
She nodded.
“Remarkable, and is there anything else I should know?”
Again she smiled, “Ba’el said you and I could have children together but not until I have a god-child. He said I’d have a son, a promised son, because I am a virgin. The son I have will rule a kingdom greater than the one you establish.”
“The Mazzaroth story…” Nimrod stood motionless without finishing the thought. He didn’t hold to the idea that another kingdom would exist that would be greater than his would. Hoarsely he whispered, “What else?”
“He said in the west you will meet a man named Terah. You are to send him to me, immediately! You’ll also meet Peleg and you must convince him to come back with you to build the city.”
“You are very handsome, you know. You will be a great warrior and you will establish a great kingdom. A government that will never diminish. Oh, yes, I’m to establish a religion that shall control all others. It will be a religion of worship, making Ba’el supreme god.”
Nimrod, having difficulty following the reasoning behind her words, and the randomness of her thoughts put up a hand, “Wait a moment, back up. I know who Peleg is, who has not heard of him? But who is Terah?”
“He is the son of Nabor who is of the linage of Shem. He’s an idol maker.”
Turning to continue with their meandering pace Nimrod asked, “Do you know him? Why do you need an idol maker?”
“I’m to see that great statues of Ba’el are placed at the gates of the city. Also, I should place images about my living quarters so that while I’m with child I may look on them continually.”
“Ba’el told you much; did he also tell you that he’s from the stars?”
“Yes, he said that the next time he comes to me, the night of our betrothal, he’ll take me to the stars in his star chariot. I didn’t understand that part.” She looked up at Nimrod and shook her head, “Grandfather has never spoken of star chariots.”
Nimrod folded his hand over hers as it lay upon his forearm. “Well, I can tell you from experience no matter how much you know nothing will prepare you for the star chariot.”
She smiled, her head bobbed and then a silence fell between them as they strolled in matched steps. Suddenly she turned to him, and without hesitation posed a question that again brought surprise. “How does it make you feel to know I’ll have a child by a god, a child that is not yours?”
Hesitating, Nimrod looked down at Semiramis’ seemingly young and innocent face. He pondered if he should answer honestly or discreetly. Choosing discretion, Nimrod said, “Jealous but honored. How does it make you feel?”
Returning his gaze and then arching a perfected eyebrow she said slowly, “I suppose I’ve known all of my life that I’d be chosen for something great. To be the mother of a god. To give birth to a religion that will unite the world, such power I cannot imagine.”
“You’re right,” he nodded, “we’ve both been chosen and gifted with great powers. Even beyond what would seem our normal right to expect. What a perfect union! We shall have a marriage made by the gods.” Picking up her hand, he put it to his lips before he continued to speak, “One government for all people, as well as one religion. Just think what power we will have!”
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It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free, and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. Revelation 13:16-18, NIV
As she came to an awareness, she attempted to open her eyes, but quickly discovered no matter how hard she tried her upper lashes were matted with the lower ones and her eyes were not going to open. In an attempt to lift a hand to rub her eyes, she couldn’t lift either hand. Emeleigh panicked.
Blinded and alarmed she silently began a systematic process of inventorying her body. Only to discover she couldn’t lift her legs, either. And, as if that were not enough, her right hand burned as if liquid fire was flowing through it. The pain was excruciating, her panic deepened.
Angry and frustrated, she made repeated attempts to see through the matted lashes. Finally, the left upper lash gave way enough to form a slit that enabled her to see a portion of her surroundings. Scanning the room as best she could, she grasped the reality of a few pertinent facts. She was strapped to a gurney, attached to a monitor, and her right hand had a small bandage. Assuming she was in a medical facility, she asked herself, how did I get here?
Hearing a deep moan coming from across the room she knew she wasn’t alone. Turning her head slightly in an effort to see deeper into the room, she realized the lighting in the room was insufficient. However, she managed to see at the foot of the gurney she laid upon, a stainless steel cart with various instruments splayed across its top. It was obvious some sort of medical procedure had taken place and by the look of the bloody patches of cotton gauze scattered among the tools, she quickly surmised it was her hand that had suffered during the process. As she stared at the instruments, the bits and pieces of memory began coming together.
Laying back and closing the open eye, she forced her mind to start with the last thing she could easily recall, and that was of receiving a text from Kirsten as she packed her briefcase. With that memory as her starting point, Emeleigh began the analytical process of filling in the blanks.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not remember being in an accident, and her reasoning told her an injury to her hand would not necessitate the kind of restraint that was being forced upon her. She wasn’t in pain other than the burning throb in her hand and perhaps the most puzzling was why did she feel such fear?
Determined to make a full assessment of her situation one more time, she lifted her head slightly higher, batted both eyes, forcing the lashes further apart and managed to see the four thick metal bands holding her captive to a stainless steel bed. On her right side was a small black box with four green and blue lights that flashed in soundless repetitive syncopation. In the process of painstakingly examining every detail, she heard another moan.
Her voice barely more than a whisper she asked, “Who’s there?”
From the shadows across the room came a weak but deep throaty voice whispering, “Emeleigh is that you?”
Hearing the familiar voice of her younger brother snapped something in her. She remembered feeling fear for him, but she wasn’t sure why, “Elijah,” she cautiously whispered.
“Mmm, do you have any idea where we are?”
“No, are you okay? I’m bolted down to some kind of gurney, what about you?”
“I’m tied down, too, but I’m okay...” Clearing his throat Elijah continued, “I can’t move my hands or my feet, my body is stiff, but it’s my right hand that hurts; throbbing and stinging like crazy, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, my right hand hurts…Elijah,” she laid her head back onto the gurney, and sighed deeply. She was relieved he was okay, and she was glad not to be alone, but fear still gnawed at her insides. “I can’t seem to think…” The tears were forming behind her eyes, her voice cracked, “Do you remember anything about what happened?”
“I’ve been laying here trying to piece things together. Emeleigh we were…” He paused, “I remember a dream…we are in Jericho…wait I remember now that I said that out loud, we are spies!” She could hear him swallow as he paused, “Emeleigh someone is about to come in here! There’s no time for questions, pretend you’re asleep and whatever you do, don’t scream! Please don’t scream, we’ve been abducted by…aliens…hang tight, they’ll only be here for a moment.” Elijah spat the words in a hoarse whisper b
ut the urgency in his voice drove the words like nails into her brain.
Just as he finished with his admonition, the door swished open. Closing her eyes quickly she heard the footsteps as they approached her gurney. Her mind processing Elijah’s words, she began a mental argument. But Elijah is wrong, these aren’t aliens, they can’t be. We weren’t abducted I would know, I would remember. Suddenly her heart was filled with words coming from a source beyond herself. Emeleigh, stay focused on peace. Don’t allow the negative thoughts to capture your imagination and affect your emotions, if you do, they shall see the emotion of fear. Praise God or recite the word, just don’t focus on what you are afraid of, or they will have power over you. Remember who you are in Christ Jesus, remain in peace.
Emeleigh fought the fear as instructed. She commanded her thoughts to gravitate toward the word peace. She spelled it out, p-e-a-c-e jogging her memory for all the biblical meanings she knew associated with the word peace. She called to mind her Hebrew class; the word for peace is shalom, she reminded herself. She rehearsed the Hebraic meanings of shalom and as she did as she claimed all of the implications of the word and the blessings of shalom. Yet, no matter how hard she tried an overwhelming curiosity to open her eyes kept invading her thoughts. The person standing next to her suddenly leaned over and she could feel him inches from her face. Panic overtook her as the smell of sulfur filled her nostrils and her thoughts returned her to the nightmarish reality of her unimaginable situation. Oh God, it’s that stinking awful sulfur smell. I’m going to vomit.
Clenching her teeth tightly she willed herself to think of the Prince of Peace and mentally quoted scriptures about peace and then, just as she slipped into a peaceful realm she heard the undeniable sound of an electronic beep. With a beep, beep, beep, beep the bands constraining her hands and feet opened. Trying very hard not to react Emeleigh clamped down tightly on her back teeth as a cold rough hand encircled her right wrist while another hand poked and prodded her injured hand. Willing herself motionless, knowing she had to remain silent, she sang the children’s song, Jesus Loves Me within her thoughts.