Chapter 19 Cont: Ezekiel is Called to Speak

“What the king did not tell you is that he plans to journey soon to Pithom.  It is a new city which has been built near the canal the Egyptians are digging to house the workers who labor on that project.  There Zedekiah seeks to consummate a bargain with Hophra:  Laborers in exchange for gold,”  Ahikam, who had been cutting a slice of roast lamb while he spoke, paused to take a bite of the meat he had just carved.  Jeremiah, Baruch and Ahikam’s son Gedaliah said nothing, so the old man continued.

          “He has the backing of the merchants, for they will gain from the influx of Egyptian coin.  And, Zedekiah will have the resources he needs to pay his tribute to Nebuchadnezzar.  He will do so only as long as he feels he needs to.  The kings of Tyre and Ammon have done a good of job of making him believe that, united and with the backing of Egypt, they can break the yoke of Babylon.  That is why he does not wish you to tell our people in Babylon to prepare for a long stay.  Zedekiah hopes to encourage them to create turmoil for Nebuchadnezzar – at least enough so that he will not notice what the league that is forming is up to.”

          Jeremiah broke off a piece of bread and dipped it in his wine goblet before taking a bite, and looked around him.  He and his friends had once again retreated to their safe room at the Inn of the Two Rams.  Their strength and support was often times the only comfort he had.  He had had such great hopes that Zedekiah would listen, yet even his former pupil seemed bent on taking the path that led to destruction.

          “In Babylon, our people are beginning to worship idols – they do it here now and believe that will save them,” said Jeremiah.  “To think that our people have forsaken their great God for stupid idols.  Look around and see if any other nation has ever traded its old gods for new ones!  They forsake Jehovah God, which like a spring is a fountain of living waters.  Now, they build for themselves cisterns which contain only stale, dirty water.  In the end, they will see that these cisterns are broken.  So it shall be with the League Zedekiah is attempting to forge.”  With that, Jeremiah walked out of the room, leaving the other three to their meal.

          Baruch looked at father and son, and shrugged his shoulders.  “Jeremiah is under a great deal of stress.  Not long ago, we went to his old family estate where he sought to sell some land to raise funds.  Members of his own family tried to kill him.  He is greatly distressed over the turn of events with Zedekiah.  However, we do have a plan.”

          “What is it?”  Gedaliah asked, speaking for the first time. 

          “As you know,” Baruch began, “Jeremiah has given his word not to communicate with the exiles in Babylon.  But, now that Ezekiel is there, nothing prevents him from bringing the word of the Lord to our people in exile.”  They all knew that given Daniel’s duties with the Court of Nebuchadnezzar, he was unable to perform that function.  Father and son nodded their heads in agreement with what Baruch proposed.  “As for dealing with Zedekiah here, Jeremiah is seeking the Lord for an answer to that question.”

          “I am not sure what can be done,” Ahikam replied.  “If Zedekiah solidifies this league with a formal treaty, I guarantee you that one of the other kings will provoke Nebuchadnezzar.  When Babylon responds, they will call on us to honor our pledge.  That will mark the beginning of the end.”

          The three continued to finish their meal in silence, waiting for Jeremiah to come back from wherever he had gone.

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Chapter 19 Continued: The Letter

Jeremiah sighed.  Several weeks ago, he had traveled to his home at Anathoth, where he had sought to sell some of his holdings to raise money for his own living expenses.  Warned by his mother that his own brothers were planning his murder, he had been forced to flee before they could spring their trap.  Now back in Jerusalem, he faced the wrath of King Zedekiah’s advisors.  It seemed that no matter how he entreated the Lord, family peace alluded him.

 Outside his chamber doors and down the corridor in the Great Hall, several of the priests were assembling to confront Jeremiah over his recent actions.  They expected the young king to support them in their petition, knowing full well that Zedekiah was loath to act against his former teacher.

 Jeremiah rose as those who had come to give the new king a backbone entered the room.  Because the second wave of exiles had included many of those loyal to Jehoiakim, the court of Zedekiah had few holdovers from the old regime.  Jeremiah’s old enemy, Pashur, had been replaced by Zephaniah, the New Keeper of the Door.  Ahikam, though still in Jerusalem, was not privy to Zedekiah’s inner circle.  Of those here to confront him, only General Elnathan, son of Achbor, had been part of Jehoiakim’s court.  He had taken the surrender to Nebuchadnezzar hard, but now seemed to have regained his sense of confidence.  Jeremiah felt alone and embattled, but steeled himself to say what had to be said as he accompanied them to where they would meed the king.

           Zedekiah entered the Great Hall, and walked to his throne, signaling that the proceedings could begin.  Jeremiah took sudden comfort from the warm, though brief smile the young king shared with the prophet as their eyes locked.  Jeremiah had spoken little with Zedekiah since his coronation, and in that moment realized the error of his aloofness.

           “We have received letters from Babylon,” Zedekiah began, looking at Jeremiah.  The king paused, waiting for the prophet to respond.  Jeremiah determined to say nothing until spoken to, forcing himself to retain the appearance of calm.  Agitated by his silence, Zedekiah said, “These letters concern you, Jeremiah.”

           “Indeed, what do they say,” Jeremiah responded.  Not without his own sources, Jeremiah knew that the false prophets had become incensed over his own pronouncements to the exiles, urging them to prepare for a long stay in Babylon.   Jeremiah had expected that their reaction would have come sooner than this.  As he prepared to listen, he wondered what had triggered their response after so long a delay.

           Zedekiah turned and nodded to Zephaniah to proceed.  The new Keeper of the Door unrolled a parchment scroll which he held in his hand, a triumphant grin crossing his lips as he briefly cast his gaze in Jeremiah’s direction.  “I, Shemaiah, a sojourner in Babylon, write to Zephaniah, the Keeper of the Door in the Temple of the Lord …”

           As Zephaniah continued to read the introduction to the letter, Jeremiah closed his eyes and replayed his memory of the time in the court of Jehoiakim when Shemaiah had denounced him as a fake prophet who should be stoned.  Now, the one who had wrongly foretold the victory of Egypt at Carchemish once again was striking out from his lair in Babylon.  Jeremiah resigned himself to the realization that his enemies would never rest until he was dead.  With difficulty, Jeremiah forced himself to pay attention to Zephaniah’s reading of the letter.

           “The Lord has appointed you to replace Jehoiada as priest in Jerusalem.   And it is your responsibility to arrest any madman who claims to be a prophet, and put him in the stocks and collar.  Why haven’t you done something about this false prophet Jeremiah of Anathoth?  For he has written to us here in Babylon saying that our captivity will be long, and that we should build permanent homes and plan to stay many years:  That we should plant fruit trees, for we will be here to eat the fruit from them for a long time to come.”

           “Jeremiah,” Zedekiah interrupted, “I have called you here to have Zephaniah read this in your presence so that I may ask you, before God, whether these are your words?”

           “They are, indeed, my words,” Jeremiah said in a quiet voice as he looked his former student in the eye.  Then, looking away at no one in particular, Jeremiah continued.  “Not only my words, but the words of the Lord.  Hear now, for thus says the Lord:  ‘Behold, I will punish Shemaiah and his descendants.  He shall not have any one living among this people to see the good that I will do’.”

           “The good the Lord will do!”  shouted Zephaniah, re-rolling the scroll and shaking it in Jeremiah’s face.  “Do you know that Nebuchadnezzar has declared Jehovah to be a member of the Babylonian Pantheon?  That he is a servant of Marduk, and that graven images are now being made of Him and sold to our people by the metal smiths of Babylon?  And you ask our people to worship the Lord without a Temple?  Without sacrifices?”

           “I don’t know what you are talking about!” Jeremiah replied hesitantly, suddenly unsure of himself.

           “Nebuchadnezzar read a portion of your letter to the people, twisting it to make himself out to be the messiah prophesied for our people.  He has used your words to destroy the faith of our people.”  Zephaniah spat out the words at his rival and then sat down, throwing the letter on the table to emphasize his point.

           Jeremiah could not believe what he was hearing.  The letter had been intended for delivery into Daniel’s hands.  He would never have given it to Nebuchadnezzar, would he?

           “Jeremiah, I want what you want:  The restoration of our people to the Lord God,” Zedekiah said, rising from his chair.  “But what you are doing is causing more harm than good.  I command you to cease communication with our people in Babylon.  If you fail in this, I will be forced to imprison you.”

           “May I go?”  Jeremiah asked, eyes downcast.  He needed to retreat to pray, and to speak with his friends.  He had no more stomach for what they had to say.  He only knew that he must leave this place as quickly as possible.

           “Not until you give your word to cease your efforts to communicate with our people in Babylon!” Zedekiah said, shaking his finger at the prophet for emphasis. 

           Jeremiah did not want to give his consent, knowing that the Lord wanted his message preached to the captives in Babylon.  How could he give his consent?  And then, he saw the answer:  “Yes, I will obey your command,” he replied to the king.  A guard opened the door, and with head bowed, Jeremiah left the Great Hall.

Chapter 19: An Invitation to Rebel

It was a sunny, hot summer morning.   Lingering near the window, he looked out on the Kidron Valley, the small brook running between the Mount of Olives and David’s City, the oldest part of Jerusalem.  The source of the city’s water supply, it was the place where his father Josiah had brought out the idols of Baal and destroyed them.   How ironic that his half-brother Jehoiakim had brought the worship of them back to Judah.  Zedekiah savored the moment and reflected on the letter he had received from Pharaoh, inviting him to come to Egypt as a way to bolster his courage to meet the wrath of Jeremiah.

          In his letter, Hophra had spoken of the work on the canal, and the completion of the city of Pithom since the defeat of Nebuchadnezzar at the battle of Migdol.  It was there that the laborers on the canal dwelt.  Capable of managing a population of thirty thousand, Hophra had proposed an attractive offer:  In exchange for ten thousand workers, Egypt would pay two hundred shekels per head.  Such an exchange would solve several immediate political problems.  First, it would alleviate his immediate problem of raising tribute to pay Nebuchadnezzar.  Zedekiah would not be forced to raise taxes, as he had originally planned.  He would now be able to go to the people and make this pledge, thus endearing himself to their hearts. 

          Second, it would buy the loyalty of the merchant class.  There were still those in Jerusalem who viewed his nephew, Coniah, as the rightful heir.  With their support guaranteed by economic gain, Zedekiah would be able to dismiss as right wing extremists those who viewed him as a mere caretaker.  As long as the people’s purses were full of coins, they would not listen too closely to those priests who still called Coniah the rightful heir to the Throne of David.

          Beyond the economic gain that Zedekiah would reap, Hophra had explained the greater geopolitical strategy now unfolding, and had told him of the prominent role he would play.  Within the next year, Hophra and Ithobal of Tyre wanted to hold a war council for the league that would be formed here, in Jerusalem.  With the House of David seen as leading this alliance against Babylon, Zedekiah was certain that he could convince his people to turn from their worship of the Babylonian gods.  Since the death of his father Josiah, the increase in idolatry had been unabated.  And, who could blame them?  They saw the defeat of Judah as the defeat of Jehovah God.  By throwing off the yoke of Babylon, the people would return to the Lord.  The military leaders would clearly favor this.  Zedekiah hoped that he could get Jeremiah to see the benefits of such a strategy, and give his blessing to it.  Though the prophet’s following was a small one, still, Zedekiah craved the approval of his old teacher.  Deep down inside, Zedekiah knew that if he were to truly have the blessing of Jehovah God, he must first have this one prophet’s blessing.

          It was time to go and convene the meeting.  Zedekiah took one last gaze at the Kidron Valley, and turned to make his way to the Great Hall.

Have you jumped into the middle of The Brotherhood of the Scroll and want to catch up?  Access the achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

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Chapter 19: Beelzebub, Lord of the Flies

          The red star in Orion’s belt twinkled as a ruby in the clear night sky.  As Hamon looked out his window at the stars above, he savored the sense of elation which coursed through his veins.  Nebuchadnezzar had heard and agreed to his plan – one which would acknowledge the events of the other evening, but which would position the Hebrew god as being wholly subservient to Marduk.  And they owed it all to Daniel’s teacher, this so-called prophet named Jeremiah. 

          Neither Hamon nor Nebuchadnezzar could allow the escape of the three Hebrews from the fiery furnace to go without explanation.  So, Hamon had devised a scheme which allowed Nebuchadnezzar to not only take credit for their survival, but claim that the king had himself been the agent of their escape from the furnace.  Hamon had written a decree, which Nebuchadnezzar had signed and was now being distributed throughout the kingdom.  For perhaps the twentieth time, Hamon again read the parchment containing the decree as he drained his wine goblet.

          The prophet Jeremiah has written the exiles in Babylon, saying:  “Build houses and settle down.  Marry, have sons and daughters.  Increase in numbers, do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city of Babylon, praying to the Lord for it, because if Babylon prospers, you too will prosper.  The God of Israel has appointed Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, as his servant – to bring salvation to your people.  He is the Messiah of the Hebrews.”

          Yet, some of the Hebrews have doubted the will of their god, so Nebuchadnezzar put you  to the test.  Of all the Hebrews, only Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego passed that test – to trust in the God of Israel, who has sent you to Babylon to serve Nebuchadnezzar.  Praise be to the God of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!  They trusted in Him, and did not worship the gods of the Babylonians.  With the blessing of Marduk, their god saved them from the fiery furnace, so that the Hebrews would honor his command to dwell in Babylon and serve her king.  For, how else could the god of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego save them if it were not the will of Marduk?  Therefore, because of their faithfulness, these three will be given positions of power in the Kingdom of Babylon

          Furthermore, the God of Israel will be given a place of honor with the Gods of Babylon, and sit at Markduk’s right hand.  From this day forward, to commemorate his inclusion into the House of the Gods, his name shall be called Beelzebub.

          Hamon laughed as he read that last line, for in the language of the Hebrews, the name Beelzebub meant “Lord of the flies.”  The effect would not be lost on his people – which both he and the king agreed was needed to restore their faith in the gods of Babylon after what had happened.  Hamon looked up again at the red star in Orion’s belt.  He knew there was no explanation for what had happened the other night.  But, rather than deny that it had happened, they would embrace it – claiming that it had been the will of Marduk all along – and that the god of the Hebrews would join the Pantheon of Babylonian gods pledged to serve Marduk.  As the people on earth were assimilated by their Chaldean masters, so too their god would be assimilated by the gods of this land.  It was a simple solution to a complex problem.

Hamon heard the woman approach behind him, felt her wrap her arms around his chest and slide them down to his waist before proceeding further. 

          “I grew tired of waiting for you to come back.  Still thinking about your triumph from earlier today, eh my Lord?”  Timnah asked.

          “Yes,” Hamon answered, still looking up at the stars.  “And what was best was Daniel’s reaction to the good news.”  Hamon savored the memory as he prepared to tell his mistress.  “We summoned the Hebrew after Naaman gave his report.  Nebuchadnezzar announced that the god of the Hebrews would henceforth be called Beelzebub, and added to the Pantheon of idols to be celebrated in the future New Year’s celebrations.  Even now, the goldsmiths have been commissioned to form idols for purchase by the people – especially the Hebrews living in Babylon. 

          “But why wouldn’t Daniel see that as a good thing?,” asked Timnah, slowly caressing the Chief Priest.

          “Because they refuse to make idols of their God – in fact, their religion forbids it.  Daniel recognized that by making his God one of the Babylonian Pantheon, the religion of his people will be compromised.  Not only that, but as the greater has the power to change the name of the lesser, Marduk is elevated over the god of the Hebrews whose name is now Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies.  In a generation, they will lose their distinctiveness, and be of no trouble to anyone.”

          “And now that Daniel has been discredited before the eyes of the king, what do you intend to do?” she asked, turning the man around to look into her eyes.

          “Nebuchadnezzar fears the power of Daniel.  He has appointed the Hebrew to a position of power, and cannot undo that.  But, at a time of my choosing, he will take an action which will force Daniel to defy a royal command, and thus forfeit his life.  For now, that is all I can say.”  Hamon crushed her to himself and kissed her passionately.  But as he did so, he resolved to be much less free with the information he shared with the Queen of Ashkelon, for one question still ate at him – had Daniel been forewarned of the plan to force the Hebrews to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar?  Daniel’s sudden appearance with an excuse to be out of the city during the New Year’s celebration had been far too convenient.  If Daniel had been alerted by someone, Timnah’s name would lead a short list of suspects.

          He would have to satisfy his suspicions, and if it proved that she had betrayed him, take the steps necessary to insure her future silence.  

Have you jumped into the middle of The Brotherhood of the Scroll and want to catch up?  Access the achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

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Chapter 18 Continued: Ithobal Comes Courting

Hananiah took his place beside his new king.  It had not been a month since Zedekiah had been made King in Jerusalem, and already the kings of the neighboring states were coming to visit.  Ithobal of Tyre was the second king to come – Sihon of Ammon had left only three days ago.  And, it had not escaped his notice that the noble families of Jerusalem  were abuzz with the hope for profits from doing business with these nations – and their liege lord Hophra of Egypt.  Clearly, Troas had acted quickly on his advice on how to sway the heart of the new king.

           Hananiah leaned over to speak softly into Zedekiah’s ear.  “My Lord, it is said that it is Ithobal of Tyre who set in motion Egypt’s plans to build the canal.  It is said he is wise and a hard bargainer, but that his word can be trusted.”

           The young king nodded his head and waited as the doorkeeper announced the arrival of his counterpart.  Though equals in title and sovereign powers, Zedekiah felt very much like a young maiden being eyed by a potential suitor before negotiating the wedding price.  “Greetings Ithobal, King of Tyre and Protector of all sea faring merchants,” Zedekiah said.

           “Blessings on he who sits on the Throne of David,” replied Ithobal.  “I knew your father, Josiah, and have been blessed by the wisdom of the scribes he sent to tutor my own son years ago in the ways of your language and your God.”  Ithobal bowed and motioned for his servants to present the gifts he had brought:  Myrrh from Persia, fine gems from the southern tip of Africa.  Even a fine cloth known as silk from a land so far to the east that it was known only as the Land of the Rising Sun.

          Once the gifts had been presented, Zedekiah thanked him, saying “All Jerusalem is blessed by your presence.  I have prepared a feast in your honor this evening.  Please, accept my hospitality and refresh yourself before we dine tonight.”

           King Ithobal bowed, hands spread.  “Your highness is most kind.  But see, the day is yet young.  I would enjoy the King of Judah’s company for a stroll in your fine gardens.”  Standing to his full height, he stretched out his burly right arm in the direction of the royal gardens, inviting Zedekiah to lead him in a tour of the grounds.  His grin broadened into a smile when Zedekiah rose to indulge his request.

           “So, King Ithobal, tell me what business brings you to Jerusalem so soon after my ascension to the throne?  You never paid such an honor to my dead half brother, Jehoiakim,” asked Zedekiah as they walked into the gardens out of ear shot of the other members of the court.

           They walked down a green lawn flanked on either side by well-tended red and yellow tulips.  A cool breeze blew in from the mountains.  Ithobal, a master of diplomacy, was in the element he most enjoyed.  “Jehoiakim was an able leader, but he suffered from a flaw fatal to too many who rise to the place of a king:  He was ruthless and unprincipled.  He sought only his own advantage, not that of the people he governed.  I prefer not to deal with such men.”

           “And what leads you to believe that I am different?” asked Zedekiah.

           “My man, Troas, whom you will meet, tells me that you are.  He was here for your coronation.  It was he who suggested I come to pay my respects – to see for myself if you might be the kind of leader he believes you to be.”

           Zedekiah’s raised eyebrows emphasized the surprise and inquisitiveness in his voice.  “And what kind of leader does he believe me to be?”

           “Zedekiah, my friend, the same as I.  One who chafes under the oppression of an overlord.  One who would see his people free from tyranny.  Answer me truthfully, when you took the vow to serve the King of Babylon, was your heart in it?”

           Zedekiah shifted his gaze to the ground as they slowed their pace.  Finally, he answered:  “No, it was not.  But the prophet Jeremiah says it is the will of our God that we serve Babylon.”

           “I thought as much.  Troas told me that you were, shall we say, less than enthusiastic in pledging fealty to Babylon.”

           “But what else was I to do?” pleaded Zedekiah.  “The armies of Babylon surrounded us at every turn.  I had to submit, or see Jerusalem destroyed.”

           King Ithobal indulged Zedekiah’s excuses for another ten minutes, nodding his head in sympathy with the young king’s plight.  But when he again brought up the prophet Jeremiah’s name, and how he had instructed the new king that Judah must submit to Nebuchadnezzar, Ithobal determined that it was time to turn the conversation in the direction he wished it to go.

           “I have heard of this Jeremiah,” said King Ithobal.  “I have heard he is a great wizard.  Rumor has it that he is the teacher of the Hebrew wise man who advises Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel.  Is this true?”

           “Yes, it is he.  Why do you ask?” Zedekiah responded cautiously.

           Ithobal placed his arm around the younger man’s shoulder and leaned closer to his ear, as would a father to a son.  “I have learned much of this prophet, and I fear he seeks only to aggrandize himself at your expense.  He once served in a prominent position under the reign of your father, Josiah.  He lost that position when Jehoiakim came to power.  Now, with his disciple advising Nebuchadnezzar and you under the spell of his powers, he seeks to elevate himself at any cost.  I would wager that he has kept secret from you the recent triumphs of Pharaoh Hophra and his growing power.”

           “Indeed, of what triumphs do you bear news?” asked Zedekiah.

           The King of Tyre recounted the story of Egypt’s victory over Kush.  He told of how Babylon had tried to use that nation to open a second front on her enemy’s southern border, coming so soon after Nebuchadnezzar’s own loss at Migdol.  He also spoke of the canal project, and the city of Pithom which had been built to house the nearly thirty thousand slaves and craftsmen who now worked to complete it.  And then, Ithobal dangled his surprise carrot in front of the young, impressionable king.

           “Within a year,” Ithobal said, “Pharaoh Hophra plans to travel on a diplomatic trip to foster trade and economic cooperation with the states of the Gaza Plain.  The Pharaoh is especially interested in coming to pay you a visit.”

           Zedekiah’s slow pace through the garden now came to a complete halt.  “Interested in visiting me!”  exclaimed Zedekiah.  “Why, in the name of Jehovah God, would he wish to do that?”

          “As I said, my friend, you are a king who chafes at the thought of your people suffering the tyranny of the tyrant from Babylon.  Pharaoh Hophra wishes to solidify an alliance against Babylon, but you are the key to making that alliance a reality.  Hophra knows that.  That’s why he wishes to come and pay his respects to you here in Jerusalem.”

           Ithobal watched Zedekiah’s reaction carefully.  At this point it was necessary only to sell Zedekiah on the prestige of having Pharaoh Hophra pay him a personal visit.  Step two would be to convince the new king of Judah to hear the arguments for forming an alliance against Babylon.  Each stage would give Zedekiah the ability to deny to Jeremiah or anyone else that he was openly betraying his allegiance to Babylon.  In the mean time, through economic incentives, Tyre and Egypt would buy influence among the merchants of Jerusalem.  Eventually, it would be their calls for supporting Egypt which would cause Zedekiah to renounce Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon.  This prophet Jeremiah could rant and rave all he liked.  In the end, the power of gold would triumph, as it always did.  King Ithobal was not disappointed by the impressionable king’s response. 

           “I will receive Pharaoh with honor when he arrives,” said Zedekiah.  “Even Jeremiah will see the necessity of keeping on good terms with Egypt.  After all, I will not violate any trust to which I have sworn with Nebuchadnezzar.  It is good.  Now, come, we should return to make ready for the banquet I have had prepared in your honor.”

 As the two walked back to rejoin the others at court, Ithobal silently congratulated himself on moving his agenda forward.  Truly, he would enjoy the evening that awaited as his just reward.

Have you jumped into the middle of the story and want to “catch up”? Go to achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

Would you like to read The Brotherhood of the Scroll whenever you want?  Order the ebook at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz2.html

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Chapter 18 Continued: The implications of the Vision

         No matter how many times Naaman returned to Babylon, its beauty never ceased to amaze him.  Now within the inner wall, the city gates loomed large and magnificent against a deep blue sky.  But for all its beauty and the anticipation of his return to her ramparts, Naaman could not put the worries that crowded his thoughts out of his head.

          Last night at camp, Daniel had told him all that had transpired – of Timnah’s coming to warn him of Hamon’s treachery, of how she had urged him to use the excuse of going into the mountains to pray for Nebuchadnezzar as a ruse to get him out of the city.  And Daniel had told him of the vision he had had of his friends in a fiery furnace.  His own fears of Zedekiah being a weak vassal who would eventually turn against Babylon,  Naaman kept to himself.  But clearly, the omens did not look good.  Not a superstitious man by nature, Naaman concluded this was one of those rare times which he might want to visit a soothsayer and ask the gods what he should do.

          Arriving as they had on the day after the feast of Akitu, the city stood in eerie silence, the residents for the most part sleeping off the effects of the seven day-long festivities.  As a result, the turnout to welcome Naaman’s return was smaller than usual.  Only a ceremonial guard awaited them.  What struck Naaman as extremely odd was the way they acted toward Daniel, the way they looked – No!  Did not look at him, but rather averted their eyes and kept their heads bowed in his presence.  Something had happened, but what?

          “You, there,” Naaman said to the sergeant in charge of the ceremonial guard sent to welcome them home.  “Where is King Nebuchadnezzar?”

          “He is in counsel with Hamon the High Priest.  They are discussing what to do regarding the omen which was seen during the great feast.”

          “What omen?”  Naaman asked, thinking about the vision which Daniel had described to him.  The guard stole a quick glance at Daniel, clearly fearful of answering in the presence of the Hebrew holy man.

          “A great and awesome event occurred while you were gone, Lord Naaman.  It is that about which they speak.  I have been ordered to escort you to the King,” the sergeant hesitated before proceeding, afraid to look at, let alone speak to Daniel.  “King Nebuchadnezzar wishes for the Great Belteshazzar to await him at the temple of Entemenanki.  He will greet you there, and thanks you for your prayers and fasting on his behalf.”

          Naaman looked at Daniel.  “Something has happened because of your vision, Daniel, which has frightened my people terribly.  Go and pray to your god for mercy, for I fear an ill wind blows a storm which will engulf us.  I will go and see what has transpired.”

          “I have no power to see my future, or yours, Naaman, but of this I am certain,” said Daniel.  “No harm will befall me.  Therefore, do not fear for my sake.  Rather, think about what we have spoken in the past.  Our God has brought us to Babylon to be cleansed of our sins.  What is happening now is part of that process.”  Daniel turned aside, and accompanied by Ezekiel and his original escort, proceeded to the temple of Entemenanki.

          Naaman left the rest of his command in the care of his aide-de-camp and allowed the sergeant to lead him to the Court of Nebuchadnezzar.  He thought back to that first time when he had met Daniel and spoken to him; how Daniel had said his God had ordained they would be taken into captivity for seventy years as a punishment for their sins.  Naaman had from the beginning feared that the policy of bringing different conquered peoples to Babylon would affect his people.  Though he liked and respected Daniel, Naaman had increasingly come to fear the power the Hebrews had to influence his own people.  And he knew that part of his fear was based on the fact that he was himself drawn to the idea that only one god, not dozens, held the fate of the world in his hands.  Naaman shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts.  Again, he thought of going to a soothsayer at his earliest convenience.  But for now, he must place his thoughts in order, and prepare to give his report to Nebuchadnezzar.

Have you jumped into the middle of the story and want to “catch up”? Go to achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

Would you like to read The Brotherhood of the Scroll whenever you want?  Order the ebook at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz2.html

Do you have a Bible Study that’s looking for new material?  Consider The Study Guide to the Brotherhood of the Scroll.  You can find it at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz3.html

 

Chapter 18 Cont.: Vision of Fire

Daniel loosened his traveling cloak as the midmorning sun warmed his body.  Looking back over his shoulder, he saw a mist still clinging to the mountains from which they had just descended.  In a few hours he and his escort would reach the trade route that, in a day’s ride, would bring them to Babylon.  Two of the ten soldiers escorting him had ridden on ahead to intercept a large caravan they had seen headed their way to learn who they were.  This close to Babylon, it was unlikely they would pose a threat, but his protectors wished to take no chances.  

Daniel rode in silence, paying little attention to those around him, even Ezekiel, who had joined him at the last minute as they departed Babylon.  Daniel had seen his old friend amongst the newly arriving exiles and had taken Ezekiel with him to pray and fast in the foothills of the Zagros mountains.  Daniel’s heart had rejoiced to again see his  friend, to learn of his family and his people.  Yet this had not been a time set aside for celebration, but for fasting, prayer and intercession.  Last night, those prayers had culminated in a vision as clear as the one he had had the night he “saw” Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

       And it had terrified him.  It was as though he had been there, in person, walking around in a fire which burned hotter than the sun itself.  In that fire with him had been Shadrach, Abednego and Meshach.  As hot as the flames had been, they had not been consumed by the blaze.  The vision had ended when the three exited the furnace, and Hamon had left with Nebuchadnezzar to discuss the meaning of it all.  The look on the king’s face showed that he was clearly afraid.  Up until now, Daniel had seen Nebuchadnezzar as one who would lend his protection to Daniel and his people.  Now, he was not so sure.  For the first time in four days, Daniel turned to his friend to share what was in his heart.

           “Daniel, what is it you hope to accomplish?  And what is it you fear?,” Ezekiel asked when his friend had finished describing the vision of the fiery furnace and Nebuchadnezzar’s newfound fear of the Hebrews.

           “Ezekiel, I am convinced God has led our people into exile as a way to refine us, as a way to prepare us for something.  With the exception of Josiah, our kings have led us further and further astray.  By being taken into exile in Babylon, we have been forced to look inward and examine our hearts, to renew our spirits.  I want to accomplish that task, and am convinced you will play a key role in that endeavor.”

           “But, Ezekiel, I fear the implications of my vision.  The Feast of Akitu is a time when the king of Babylon takes on the powers of Marduk.  Nebuchadnezzar could easily view what happened last night as a terrible insult to his god.  If that happens, what is to prevent him from taking revenge on our people?  Should my fears come true, whatever dreams the Lord has in mind for us will die unborn.”

           “But what of the scrolls, Daniel?  You have been here nearly five years and have had time to study them.  You told me yourself Nebuchadnezzar has made available to you his magicians, mathematicians and astronomers.  Have you been able to learn anything?”  Ezekiel asked

           “Oh, there are some things that I have learned,” Daniel replied, not sure what he should reveal of his studies.  In the last two years, the Lord had led him to write out on large pieces of parchment ten-by-ten arrays of the text of the Torah.  Daniel had become convinced that one could find embedded in the sacred scrolls divinely ordained messages by the skipping of equal intervals of letters.  Daniel laid out the text of the Torah in these ten-by-ten arrays so he could eliminate the spaces between the words.  The more he studied in this way, the more he had become convinced of patterns that were hidden therein.  Already, he had found several references to the ninth day of the month of Av, and had begun to develop a theory as to what it meant. 

           The scroll of Isaiah made mention of a conqueror who was to come, one called Cyrus.  Without giving voice to the prophecy, Daniel silently recalled what Isaiah had written:   “Thus says the Lord to Cyrus His anointed:  God shall empower his right hand and he shall crush the strength of mighty kings.  God shall open the gates of Babylon to you; I will shatter the doors of bronze, and cut through their iron bars.  And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, in order that you may know it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.”

           But there was a darker secret which revealed a prophecy that Daniel could not bring himself to share with his friend.  It was a prophecy of judgment which revealed not only that the temple would be destroyed, but also the exact date on which that event would take place.  The thought that these things would happen was too terrifying to think about, let alone discuss with Ezekiel.

           “Yes, there are some things that I have learned, still other things that remain hazy to me.  I cannot discuss them now, but know this:  My vision of last night portends events far beyond what we can now imagine.  We must leave it in God’s hands, knowing He will provide a shepherd who will restore our people at the right time.”

           Their conversation was interrupted by one of their Babylonian escorts, who called for the party to halt.  Out of the west, two horsemen galloped toward them – the scouts who had been sent out earlier to investigate the approaching caravan.  The horses, snorting and shaking their heads, were reined in by their riders.  Before the steeds settled down, the two warriors dismounted and approached, saluting their captain.  “Give me your report!,” he commanded.

           “Lord Naaman himself leads the troop which even now comes our way.  He orders us to join him in his triumphant return to Babylon.”  Turning to Daniel, the scout added, “Lord Naaman expresses his good wishes to you and eagerly anticipates your joining his command.”

           As their party resumed its trek towards Babylon with the intent of joining up with Naaman, Ezekiel turned to Daniel and said, “Now we shall have a rare opportunity to learn what he thinks of Judah’s new king – and what relationship our people can expect to enjoy with Babylon.”

           Daniel nodded his head, and said a prayer for his people.

Have you jumped into the middle of the story and want to “catch up”? Go to achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

Would you like to read The Brotherhood of the Scroll whenever you want?  Order the ebook at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz2.html

Do you have a Bible Study that’s looking for new material?  Consider The Study Guide to the Brotherhood of the Scroll.  You can find it at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz3.html

 

Chapter 18: Surviving the Blazing Furnace

The fire of the furnace leapt nearly fifteen feet into the air.  To the right of the furnace stood the idol of the god Marduk.  In the courtyard before the Isthar Gate, the people danced and sang as the musicians played their instruments.  Looking down on the crowd from atop a raised platform built for the occasion, Nebuchadnezzar sat with his new bride on their couches.  To the king’s right, Hamon had taken his place.  It was his show to preside over, and while he did not have Daniel in his clutches, the Chief Priest took satisfaction in knowing Daniel’s top three advisors would soon depart this world.

          At the king’s command, the furnace had been stoked to an unbearable level for those standing anywhere near it.  Their wrists bound, ankle shackles linked the three Hebrews together as they were dragged through the Ishtar gate into Nebuchadnezzar’s presence.  Though they offered no resistance, six soldiers beat them and picked them up to cast them into the furnace.  As one, the three were thrown into the flames.  Like the mouth of a hungry animal, the fire roared, snapping out a tongue of flame.  Two of the soldiers were caught by the fiery eruption, and cried out in agony.  Though more soldiers attempted to extinguish their comrades, the two were burned beyond recognition or hope of survival.

          The music stopped.  The dancers ceased their whirling to watch the death of the two soldiers.  A piercing scream from Nebuchadnezzar’s bride jerked the Chaldeans’ attention back to the furnace, as she grabbed the king and pointed in its direction.

          “Hamon!” Nebuchadnezzar said, his breath coming in ragged gasps.  “Were not three men thrown into the furnace?”

          Unable to take his eyes from the furnace and its contents, Hamon answered weakly.  “Yes, O King.”

          “By the gods, I see four men loosed and walking about – and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”  The king looked around him at his people; saw the panic in their eyes.  At the moment that Marduk’s power should be celebrated, the Hebrews instead were making a mockery of his god.  If he did not act quickly, the panic hiding behind the onlookers’ eyes would quickly turn into a riot.  Nebuchadnezzar walked down from the raised platform in the direction of the furnace, and called for the three to come out.  All of the courtesans gathered ‘round the three Hebrews as they emerged from the fire unharmed.  Not only had they not been harmed by the blaze, but their clothing was untouched – not even smelling of smoke!  Yet their bindings were gone, burned off their wrists and ankles.

          “You are free to go,” Nebuchadnezzar said in a hushed voice to the three.  Once they had left, the king grabbed Hamon by the shoulders, a look of fear and desperation in his eyes.  “Now, for the first time, I fear Daniel and those whom he has chosen as his closest advisors.  In the face of our most sacred occasion, his God has made a mockery of us.  We must go and talk.  I need your help in knowing what to do.”

          Hamon was taken aback by Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction.  Surviving the fire had been a cheap magician’s trick.  He didn’t know how the three Hebrews had done it.  That did not matter.  What mattered was that they find a way to seize this opportunity to glorify Nebuchadnezzar, demonstrating that the Hebrews were still servants of Marduk and the other gods of Babylon.

Now, perhaps, he would have a chance to enlist the king’s aide in disposing of Daniel.  Yes!  There was still hope that he could eliminate the one man who stood in his way.  He smiled at the King, and put his arm around Nebuchadnezzar’s shoulder.  Hamon knew just what to do.

          “Come, Nebuchadnezzar, let us go speak in private.  I have a plan.”

Have you jumped into the middle of the story and want to “catch up”? Go to achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

Would you like to read The Brotherhood of the Scroll whenever you want?  Order the ebook at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz2.html

Do you have a Bible Study that’s looking for new material?  Consider The Study Guide to the Brotherhood of the Scroll.  You can find it at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz3.html

Chapter 17 Cont. The Parade of Idols

          “It will not be long now,” Meshach said to his two friends.  “Look, here comes the barge carrying the statue of the god Anu, father of the Babylonian gods.”  Along with Shadrach and Abednego, Meshach watched as the great idol was brought to shore and off-loaded where Nebuchadnezzar sat at his gold table awaiting its arrival.  The idol had been transported downstream from its shrine.  This was the signal for every temple in Babylon to open.  Out of each shrine all the gods of the city, both great and small, were brought out to join Nebuchadnezzar and Anu as they traveled down the Processional Way to Esgalia.  The mass of priests, idols, officials, scribes and soldiers choked the Sacred Way as they transported the idols.  Behind them, the masses of the people followed, all intoxicated with mystic faith.  Behind them, soldiers herded members of the various exile communities forward.  Because they had been made overseers under the authority of Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego led the procession of the Hebrews toward the ziggurat of Entemenanki, and beyond it, Esgalia, the temple of Marduk.

          With Nebuchadnezzar at the head of the procession, he stopped at the base of Entemenanki.  There, priests brought a white bull to him.  Dazed from a drug so that it would pose no danger to the king, it stood by the altar awaiting its end.  Taking a long gold-hilted knife, Nebuchadnezzar cut its throat.  In a stupor, the bull stood for a few moments as its life’s blood spurted from its jugular before collapsing.  “O divine bull, thou art the shining light which illuminates the darkness!” Nebuchadnezzar intoned.

          The priests took the bull and burned it.  As the flames leaped up to consume the bull’s carcass, white smoke rose into the air.  In unison, the people behind Nebuchadnezzar chanted, as the king cried out, “Come out, Bel-Marduk!  The king awaits you!”

          “This is the moment we have awaited,” Abednego said.  “When the time comes, we must do as Daniel told us and not bow down.”  The other two nodded their assent, and watched.

          In response to Nebuchadnezzar, Hamon recited the last part of the Creation Poem, taking now the voice of Marduk:

If I, your avenger

Must make you live,

Exalt and proclaim my destiny.

Let the word of my mouth, even as yours, establish destinies.

Let all that I do remain unchanged.

          It was now high noon, the sun directly above the temple of Esagila.  Slowly, the gate to the temple swung open, a young nubile priestess strode into Nebuchadnezzar’s presence.  Dressed in wedding attire, she would become his wife for the coming year, joining his harem thereafter.  Behind her a fifteen foot statue of the god Marduk was rolled out to greet the king, signaling the god’s resurrection.

          This was the signal to the musicians to strike their cymbals and chimes.  Along the east wall of the ziggurat Entemenanki, thousands of servants in unison lifted placards into place.  When seen from afar, they displayed the symbol of Babylon, a lion with eagle’s wings.  The face on the lion was that of Nebuchadnezzar, their king.  The people bowed down to worship their god-king, who was now the god Marduk incarnate on earth, as Hamon called out:

I will praise his godhead,

Proclaim his might,

Sing his strength,

Celebrate his valor!

Marduk the compassionate, the merciful,

To whom it is profitable to turn!

He it is who hearkens to my prayer,

Who grants the favors which appease the hearer!

          Amidst the noise and shouting, Nebuchadnezzar turned with his new queen, the statue of Marduk behind them, to lead the march back across the Processional Way.  Along both sides of the road, as the music played and the priests chanted, all the people bowed down to worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar upon the wall of Etemeniaki.

          All except the three Hebrews.  As Nebuchadnezzar came upon them, he stopped and pointed at them.  “You are servants in the Court of Babylon,” he said.  “I command you to bow down as have all the rest, or die.”

          Shadrach, the eldest of the three, stepped forward to speak for all of them.  “Great Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, what you ask is impossible for us to perform.  Do with us as you will.  Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the furnace you have prepared.  But even if He chooses not to do so, Oh King, know that we can never bow down and serve any image of any god.”  When he had finished, Shadrach stepped back to stand with the others.  They stood in silence, knowing that their actions invited Nebuchadnezzar to order their deaths.

          Finally, Nebuchadnezzar could stand it no longer.  “You will be thrown into the furnace which Hamon has prepared,” he said , his voice trembling with rage.  “Tonight, at the rising of the Full Moon, your charred corpses shall illuminate the feasting that all Babylon shall partake in.”  As a dozen guards knocked the three to the ground to bind and carry them off, Nebuchadnezzar led the Procession of the Gods forward.

achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

Would you like to read The Brotherhood of the Scroll whenever you want?  Order the ebook at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz2.html

Do you have a Bible Study that’s looking for new material?  Consider The Study Guide to the Brotherhood of the Scroll.  You can find it at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz3.html

 

Chapter17 Cont. The Feast of Akitu

          The feast of Akitu was in its fifth day.  Celebrated in the month the Hebrews called Nisan during the spring equinox, it marked Babylon’s New Year celebration, exalting herself, her riches, her science, her king and her gods.  For the last five days, the city had been engulfed in one unending carnival, interrupted with religious ceremonies conducted by the priests.  All thought of the people’s daily lives had been put aside as the priests focused their attention, between drunken parties, on what the New Year would hold if the city was blessed by Marduk.

           At precisely sunrise of the sixth day, Hamon walked out onto the second level of Esagila.  Raising his arms, he began the Poem of Creation, crying out to Marduk:

“Marduk, unequaled in thy wrath,

Marduk, kind King, Lord of the Lands,

Who makes the Great Gods favorable,

Lord of Kings, Light of Mankind,

Who dost allot portions,

Thou dost control oracles; with thine eyes thou dost give the law.

Lord of the lands of the city of Babylon,

Have mercy on the children of Babylon!

          Behind him, eunuchs purified the sanctuary with water from the Euphrates River.  A chant rose from the lips of the temple priests, who swayed to the rhythmic beat of their words.  The sound reverberated throughout the city, as the population joined in the chant.

          Then, abruptly, the chanting stopped.  Hamon again took up the Narration of the Poem of Creation of the world by the gods:

E-Nu-Ma elis la na-b-usa-ma-mu

When the heaven above was not named,

And the earth below had no name,

And no name was uttered, and no destiny was established,

The gods were created, one after another, and time went by.

Then Tiamat, god of Chaos, mated with her husband Kingu,

Giving birth to unspeakable monsters,

And Kingu led them in an assault on heaven,

Against the army of evil, the gods arrayed themselves,

And Marduk alone was capable of commanding them.”

          At that, the population of the city erupted with shouts of praise.  For if the gods had chosen Marduk, the god of Babylon to be their master, did it not follow that Babylon was called to be the mistress of the world?  After the cheering subsided, Hamon continued the narration, intoning the reply of Marduk to the gods.

If I, your avenger,

Must chain Tiamat and make you live,

Make an assembly; exalt and proclaim my destiny.

And so the gods did as Marduk requested, saying,

We have given thee the kingship over the whole earth.

Let thy destiny be first among the gods,

To destroy and to create.

Speak, and it shall be so.

But cut off the life of Tiamat.

          The pitch of his voice rising, Hamon recounted the slaying of Tiamat, and how Marduk divided her like a fish into two parts, the day and the night, thus creating the world.  He recited the age old story of how Marduk then took the blood of Kingu, the husband of Tiamat, and created Man.  Then came the portion of the story which elicited great cries of grief from the people.

Then Bel-Hittiti, the god of the underworld,

Grew jealous of the glory that was Marduk’s.

And so he came upon our god,

And as he slept, slew Marduk.

            A ripple of cries went forth from the citizens of Babylon at the utterance of this portion of the poem.  Then, with one voice, they cried out:  “Call Marduk back to life!”

achieves at http://wisejargon.wordpress.com/2008/10/and go back to October, 2008 to find the Prologue.

Would you like to read The Brotherhood of the Scroll whenever you want?  Order the ebook at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz2.html

Do you have a Bible Study that’s looking for new material?  Consider The Study Guide to the Brotherhood of the Scroll.  You can find it at http://www.wisejargon.com/orderpages/orderlantz3.html