Pharaoh’s Palace
1.
An exhausted, blind and weary Ham wiped spittle from his lips. “Water,” he croaked.
“Get him water,” Pharaoh said.
Feet pattered. Clothes rustled. Water gurgled into a cup. Princess Taia approached and put the cup into his hands.
Ham drank it dry and held out the cup until it was lifted from his grasp.
“What happened next?” Pharaoh asked. “Nimrod died and then what?”
Ham shook his head. “It was an awful and confusing night. No one understood anyone but close family members.” He frowned deeply.
“What?”
“Ah, it was a terrible time, Pharaoh. As I’ve said, as soon as Noah spoke his curse the change occurred.” Ham shut his eyes. They had done the work of Jehovah together, Noah and him, and because of it, they had been separated. He’d wanted to tell his father so many things, things he’d held back during the long walk from Mount Ararat to Babel.
“You couldn’t speak to Noah,” Pharaoh said, “only to Menes. That explains why you came to Egypt.”
“It wasn’t Egypt then, Pharaoh. It was just another swamp among many. Yet here is where Menes stopped and began anew. And that’s what happened after Babel. Each family member left with those he could speak to. Some went north, some south, others east and a few west. Semiramis the Harlot Queen kept Babel, with Gilgamesh as her King.” Ham smiled. “Odin and Hilda went to the Far North.”
“I’m intrigued by one aspect of your story particularly,” Pharaoh said.
“Yes?”
“Taken as a whole, your story shows that civilization has in a sense only begun once,” Pharaoh said, “in the Antediluvian Age.”
“Or to be more precise in Eden,” Ham said. “Well, perhaps after Eden. Cain built the first city and his descendent Lamech bore clever children. Jabal was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother Jubal was the father of all who play the harp and flute. Tubal-Cain forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. His sister Naamah I’ve of course told you about.”
“What I mean,” Pharaoh said, “is that you brought that civilization over on the Ark. Nimrod could build ziggurats because the methods of constructing them had already been developed in the Antediluvian Age. He didn’t have to discover how to build them.”
“And our pyramids here in Egypt as well,” Taia said.
“Exactly,” Pharaoh said. “These civilizations haven’t risen from the dirt, but are merely remembered from the first one.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Ham said. “It is one continuous civilization since creation. Only it was harder keeping civilization alive after Babel than after the Flood.”
“Why?” Pharaoh asked.
“After the Flood we had all the tools we needed for starting over in the Ark. We had Noah, Japheth, Shem and their wives, people of great wisdom and remembrance of the days of old. All we had to do the first time was wait for the needed numbers, the extra hands, and teach them.”
“You had all that after Babel, too.”
“Not so, Pharaoh. Many families fled far, taking very little with them. They had recourse to stone tools only. In time and as numbers increased, they began to use copper and then bronze once they found enough tin. But during those times, families and the growing clans stumbled upon one another. They brought what we never had to worry about after the Flood. War! Warfare and raiding and making others slaves retarded the rebirth of civilization except in a few key locations.”
“As in Egypt?”
“Yes, Pharaoh.”
“Interesting, I suppose. But now you must tell me why you’ve told me all this and how I may be cured of my sickness.”
“Before I do so, Pharaoh, I ask that you let me eat and that you bring Sarai and her so-called brother Abram here.”
“You mean he lied to me?”
“Let me eat first and regain my strength. Then I promise to tell you all.”
2.
On Taia’s arm, Ham shuffled back into Pharaoh’s bedroom. He took a seat and listened to the whispering.
“They are here,” Pharaoh said. “You must delay no longer.”
Ham rose and cleared his throat. “Here is the lesson of my tale, Pharaoh. Jehovah will not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The Antediluvian Age sowed rebellion and sorcery and reaped the Deluge. The builders of Babel and its Tower likewise sowed rebellion and apostasy and reaped confusion. You, Pharaoh, have stood in the way of the Living Jehovah and are about to reap death. For you have taken the wife of one who is dear to Jehovah.”
“I’ve done no such thing,” Pharaoh said.
“Abram, are you here?”
A man rose. “I am, lord.”
Ham recognized the shepherd’s voice. “Sarai, are you here?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Pharaoh,” Ham said. “For reasons known only to them, these two have not spoken the full truth. Abram is Sarai’s husband.”
Silence descended upon the room.
“Is this true?” Pharaoh asked.
“It is true,” said Abram. “I beg your forgiveness.”
“You, Pharaoh,” Ham said, “have been inflicted with these diseases because you are forbidden to touch Sarai and so defile her. Abram is a friend of Jehovah as Noah was, and is under similar protection.”
“What have you done to me?” cried Pharaoh. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife?”
Abram spoke in a defeated voice. “Ah, Pharaoh, as we were about to enter Egypt I told my wife, Sarai, ‘I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”
“Take her and go.” Pharaoh next spoke to his men. “Load Abram with gifts, cattle and donkeys and see that no harm befalls him in Egypt. Make certain his wife Sarai is with him and that everything he owns leaves Egypt with him.”
After the people left and the doors closed, a panting Pharaoh said to Ham, “Is there more I must do?”
“Pray to Jehovah that He heals you.”
“I know not this Jehovah. You pray over me, son of Noah.”
Princess Taia guided Ham to her father. Ham put his hands on Pharaoh and prayed. After he was done, he said, “You must sacrifice to Jehovah and to Him alone.”
“It will be done as you’ve said,” Pharaoh said.
“Now, Taia, take me to my room. I’m very tired.”
“Go,” said Pharaoh, “go with my blessing and the blessing of all Egypt.”
3.
So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
Meanwhile, back at the Palace, Pharaoh and his household were healed of their afflictions.
While that night, Ham, the son of Noah, passed from this world and to the next.
The End
What’s next? I hope you’ve enjoyed Wives of the Flood. If you wish to see more Genesis-inspired novels, I encourage you to write a review. Let me know how you feel and let others know what to expect.
Vaughn Heppner
Wives of the Flood Page 95