The Sounds of War (The Genesis Series Book 2) (10 page)

Ham begat his firstborn Cush; he gave him the garments in secret and they were with Cush many days. And Cush also concealed them from his sons and brothers, and when Cush had begotten Nimrod, he gave him those garments through his love for him, and Nimrod grew up, and when he was twenty years old, he put on those garments. And Nimrod became strong when he put on the garments, and God gave him might and strength, and he was a mighty hunter in the earth, yea, he was a mighty hunter in the field, and he hunted the animals and he built altars, and he offered upon them the animals before the Lord. Book of Jasher 7:28-30

R
ising from the ground, Enmerkar dusted dirt and grass from his tunic, and as he did, he remembered his sack attached to Raham’s saddle. The lambskins were always in the saddle sack. A glimmer of hope pushed past the despair, releasing a deep sigh, he spotted Raham. The steed, gingerly grazing on the slope a hundred yards away, looked up intuitively. Putting lips tightly across front teeth, Enmerkar blew a shrill summons. After an acknowledging neigh, followed by the toss of his majestic head, Raham pranced toward his master.

Enmerkar didn’t immediately mount the steed
. Instead, took the reins in one hand and rubbed the horse’s nose with the other. Together they walked aimlessly toward the nearby brook that made its way lazily through the ravine below them. Bending at the waist, Enmerkar cupped water with his free hand, and when the horse began striking the submerged rocks as if to communicate he too was thirsty, he let go of the reins and dropped into a hunch to wash his face.

Feeling refreshed he led Raham to the place where he had so angrily discarded his bow, arrows and quiver. Gathering the scattered arrows one by one, he carefully placed each into the pouch, and then after re
attaching the quiver along with the bow to his breastplate, he gathered the horse’s reins and mane, twisting both into his thick fingers, swung his long legs up and over the back of the horse and settled into the saddle. For the moments it took him to complete the process, Enmerkar pondered what was next beyond the hunt.
Is there a possibility of finding permanent peace, if so where?

Once comfortable in the saddle, he nudged Raham to climb the incline of the mesa, and continued with his thoughts.
What god is the god of peace
, he wondered and then asked of himself,
is there a god of peace?

The climb was treacherous and required
the strength and physical skills of both rider and horse. It was necessary for Enmerkar to stay alert as the horse carefully maneuvered the slippery slope. He forgot his fears until he noticed the dark clouds gathering overhead.

Childhood stories of the Great Flood rushed into his mind, fear again gripped his heart. He had heard
the stories all his life, his grandfather Ham had told him flood tales so often he knew them by heart. Having experienced the global flood, Ham never seemed to move past the experience. He still took every opportunity to speak of how the flood was the result of a judgment upon men, when in all actuality the giants were the cause of sin. Enmerkar remembered hearing once that the giants had fought among themselves and were virtually extinct by the time of the flood.
‘S
o why was El Elyon so angry
,
’ he had asked. No matter how many times he had asked the question, no one had given him a satisfactory answer.

The sky was growing darker with each moment that passed, the distant thunder echoing and reechoing through the mountain’s ravines
drew near. He needed immediate shelter. Seeing a protrusion of rocks that formed a deep recess, Enmerkar goaded Raham sending the horse into a gallop just as a streak of lightning pierced the low-hanging clouds, striking the ground behind them.

Clouds began blowing into his face, the wind stinging his eyes, and adding insult to injury, a strong downdraft kicked up mountain sand, creating a dust devil that skirted across the path in front of his horse making it impossible to see. Putting an elbow over his face, he fought to keep his eyes open
. Luckily, Raham had neared the recess but unlucky, before they could enter the mountain’s rocky haven, sheets of rain began drenching him.

The overhanging rock formation was a natural fortress, large enough to serve as protection for both he and his horse
. He dismounted, dropped the reins, and moved to hover against the back wall of the stone recess. After slinging the water from his head and neck, he removed his bow and quiver, gently laying them down with one hand, while blotting the raindrops from his arms with the other. Nervous, he wrapped his arms across his chest and began to pace the perimeter of the rocky ledge as he stared into the storm.

Fidgeting from one foot to the other, he peered at the blackened clouds, and then at last, no longer able to restrain the built-up pressure in his chest, he cried giving partial release to his trepidation, “Okay, you have my attention. What do you
want of me?”

“El Elyon did not send the storm
. He promised never to destroy Earth again by water. Did not your grandfather tell you of the rainbow and the covenant of El Elyon? You have seen the rainbow; do you not accept its meaning? Or perhaps it is that you do not trust the giver of the rainbow to keep his promises?”

Enmerkar jumped swinging full
circle, as he looked for the voice that spoke.

“I will show myself, do not fear me.”

“Ah…okay, show you…yourself.” Swallowing against the lump of fear in his throat, Enmerkar stepped back.

Light flow
ed from the rock like water, forming a shape of a man. Instinctually, Enmerkar reached for the knife strapped inside the boot of his right foot but then thought better of the action. With all the fortitude he could muster he asked, “Who are you? Are you from the god, Ba’el?”

“I come from the throne of El Elyon, the one who calls himself Ba’el is not of El Elyon. Ba’el is not a god
. I come so you will not to continue to walk through the door of his deception and into darkness. You must choose to seek the light of righteousness while you can still find it. Redemption waits for you, seek the one and only true God, the God of Noah. Go to Noah, let him teach you of El Elyon,” the voice within the light was soothing and full of peace as it spoke aloud, not telepathically.

Enmerkar, tensing as his mind raced, tried to guess at the pur
pose of this supernatural visitation. Reasoning he should demand an explanation, but at the mention of Noah’s name, his heart filled with distrust. Doubting the honorable intent of this visitor, he found his voice again and asked, “Of what do you speak, what door of deception?” Squaring his shoulders he continued with this confrontation, “What do you mean Ba’el is not a god? I spoke to him, I saw him with my own eyes.”

“Did you see him or did you dream him? The one time you built an altar to El Elyon, you offered a blood sacrifice from an animal you hunted. It is required you raise the animal you sacrifice, is it not? Your offering cost you nothing, who taught you to offer sacrifices not given from cost? And were you taught to drink the blood of the sacrifice?”

“What is wrong with that? No one has declared me wrong.” Enmerkar spit the words as he shook his head and defied his visitor, “Never my father Cush, nor his father Ham. Sacrifices are made from animals and I did that, no one has ever told me drinking blood is wrong, it was not human blood.”

“The offering of something that already belongs to El Elyon is not a sacrifice. If no person has taught you this, surely your own soul has de
clared it true. Nothing else is mitzvah. Doing what is right is your moral obligation. To obtain forgiveness, you perform the sacrifice with pure intent.

“You have allowed the spirit of pride and rebellion to control you
. It would be prudent to learn from Cain. If you do not know his story, seek to gain knowledge of him. Self-control is as important as righteous offerings. Why have you not sought to follow the God of Noah and his teachings?” The Light stepped forward as he questioned Enmerkar.

Enmerkar stepp
ed backward matching each step of the Light as it moved toward him. Protesting as he moved Enmerkar spewed the words, “Noah is an old man. What does he know about these matters? His God, El Elyon, brought the flood, so how can he be a good God? I do not think El Elyon is the only God, my father has taught me of others, he said they are in the stars, and he said El Elyon no longer has a voice, he is gone, I think this must be true.”

“There is but one God, Enmerkar do not travel down a path that will lead to your destruction. Who is Ba’el that you should listen to him? Did he offer y
ou peace? Did he offer you love? What can he give? Humble yourself and worship El Elyon, he offers you peace and he will protect you. Repent and offer the right sacrifices, he will deliver you from all you fear. He will forgive you and be your God. His truth will keep you from judgment. Make him your God; he will protect you as he did Noah and Noah’s entire family during the flood.” From out of the Light came a man’s hand, extended with the palm facing upward. The hand beckoned as the Light stepped slowly back toward the rock wall, “Come Enmerkar, come humble yourself!”

Enmerkar knees weakened
. He closed his eyes and dropped to the ground. Gritting a whispered answer he proclaimed, “I am Enmerkar. I am a prince. I do not need to humble myself!”

The Light vanished, but the voice continued to speak, “You not only don’t know Noah’s teachings, you don’t know his God, El Elyon. The nature of Noah is not in you, if you knew Noah and his God, then you would know every judgment ren
dered by El Elyon goes forth in mercy. Judgment comes because righteousness demands it.” Enmerkar, the nimrod, heard the voice leave a final instruction, “Seek the counsel of Noah. Seek Noah’s understanding of the stars and his wisdom concerning El Elyon. Return to Noah what rightfully belongs to him, and when you do, I shall return once again.”

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1, NIV

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. Psalm 50:6, NIV

The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:6, NIV

B
efore the flood, there had always been a man who served as the Melek. The first Melek was Adam, the second, Seth. After Seth’s death, Enoch and finally, Noah’s grandfather, Methuselah, the last melek before the flood. Methuselah had died the week prior the deluge. The title of Melek had passed but Noah did not serve as Melek until after the flood.

Melek Noah, the last of the great ancients, possessed intellect beyond normal human measurements. Adam taught by the Creator, had educated the young
Methuselah, and Methuselah taught Noah. He understood many of the mysteries of both the past and the future, and furthermore, his experiences of life had taken him past his Great Year. Noah was fully versed in the complexity of the cosmos, the geophysical earth, mathematics, and he had an almost limitless knowledge of the mechanics of design. His engineering skills were far superior to any of his day. To be a student under Noah’s tutelage even for a short time was a great honor.

As the population increased and fewer men understood the ancient ways, many would travel great distances to see the
engineering feats of Noah and to learn from him on how to build and construct their edifices. Noah had invented a solar-powered plant that produced electricity. Using power from the sun and water from a nearby waterfall, Noah used the earth’s electromagnetic fields to both cool and heat his home. Among his other accomplishments, he invented precision tools that harnessed light and sound with the exactitude of a laser beam. Using these tools, he cut stones from the nearby mountains and built not only a home, but also a fortress.

Noah
was a man who loved his God and desired to teach others how to do the same. Taking delight in the sharing of what he considered the simplicities of life as shown to him by his God, Noah often met and divulged his secrets with any who asked. On any given day, Noah and Naamah welcomed and entertained many visitors. Their home acquired the affectionate title, the Melek’s School.

Head held high, he allowed only his eyes to move as he followed the young student
to Noah’s private sitting room. Once he entered, he stood at attention waiting for the proper announcement of his presence. Only after Noah stood and opened his arms did Enmerkar step forward.

“Welcome to my home, my boy, welcome, it’s good to have you here.” Noah affection
ately patted both of Enmerkar’s shoulders, “You’ve never visited my home before have you?”

“No, sir,” shaking his head, Enmerkar looked about, admiring the room
. In its center was a circular fireplace. Logs crackling as flames added light and warmth offsetting the cool evening breeze floating in through open windows. The chamber was pleasing and affable. Spacious, and at the same time full of interesting memorabilia that had been accumulated throughout a long and prosperous life.

“It’s been way too long, Grandfather, since last I saw you.” Enmerkar pretending fondness, smiled and seeing no harm in his deception continued the flattery, “No, I’ve never been here, you have a lovely home, I’m quite impressed.”

“Yes, yes, but look how you have grown, you’re so tall now. You were only a lad of ten last I saw you, it was at your grandfather’s house, and we were celebrating something or other as I remember. You’re no longer a youth, but a man
. I wouldn’t have known you...except for the eyes...they’re the same as your father’s.”

“My father sends to you and your household his blessings.”

“Thank him when next you see him, and return my blessings to him and his.”

They exchanged family news for a few moments then Noah, always the one to get to the heart of a matter asked, “What brings you to me? I’ve a feeling it’s more than just a casual visit.” As he spoke, Noah pointed toward the chairs surrounding the fireplace and motioned for Enmerkar to join him there.

“I came seeking knowledge of the cosmos. As you know, there is no probability I shall ever possess my father’s throne. Hence, I would like to travel and explore the world, perhaps find a land that will be my own. Peleg might be willing to assist me in this. However, first I need your permission to seek for an undeveloped territory that will become my kingdom. If I search for such a place, the skill of reading the stars would be most prudent. They...they guide us...my father advised me no one knows the cosmos as you do...” Enmerkar did not finish his sentence but looked sheepishly at his great-grandfather, hoping that his adulation would be the key that would lead to prosperity. Reminding himself of why his father had granted him the permission to make this journey, he decided what he had already disclosed was enough information. Grandfather Noah need not know the truth or purpose of his visit.

Noah smiled and began talking of Seth and of the cosmos
, Enmerkar however allowed his thoughts to drift to the day he had returned from hunting and sought out his father, asking if it would be beneficial to visit with Noah to learn of the stars. When Cush readily agreed, Enmerkar was surprised. He could still hear his father’s words, “Yes, indeed visit your great grandfather but go to learn not just the wisdom of the stars,” his father had pointed a finger in the air, “but go because Noah is the Melek.”

Then Cush reminded him of the curse spoken by Noah, and warned Enmerkar to be wary of Noah’s fanaticism about his God
. “But nevertheless,” his father assured him, “it was only my younger brother, Canaan, who received a curse. Noah has divided the land between my father and my uncles, Shem and Japheth. Japheth and the majority of those of his lineage are so far north it matters not. But, Shem and those of his tribe are becoming very numerous. I foresee trouble, especially since Canaan insists on living in the land given Shem to rule.

“Shem is very close to Noah, and most likely to be appointed the next Melek by Noah. As you know, the honor of Melek is much as an appointment as a birthright. And I guarantee, when Noah no longer lives, and Shem is Melek you will have trouble with the tribes of Shem unless you take steps
to ingratiate yourself now to Shem through Noah. Not only do they live in close proximity to one another, but also they think much the same way. If you have Noah’s blessings, you have Shem’s as well.

“
Your older brothers will keep you from this land when I die, but if you gain Noah’s favor, and thus Shem’s favor, perhaps they will help you possess territory beyond theirs, perhaps if you play the game correctly, you can receive Canaan’s land, more especially because he acquired it by subterfuge.

“The land that Canaan struggles to maintain is the center of all Earth
and it has the mystical powers of the past hidden within its rocks. Upon the mountains of that land, agreements made and sworn to by the Celestials, still have power and their words are not void. I know my brother and I know why he wants that particular land.

“You have the garments, keep that a secret until the time is right. You must pull all of the elements together to work in your favor.
But remember Noah is no fool. Appear sincere and listen well, this will someday be to your advantage. Learn at Noah’s knee. Allow him to teach you of not only stars but also how to build and harness nature. Listen to his every word, even when he speaks of his God, this will gain you knowledge, the knowledge of Enoch and Methuselah, but also of the giants and their fathers. If you go about this in just the right way you can become a favored grandson, he has the ability to make you greater than any of your brothers, remember I see you someday as Melek of Earth.”

As Enmerkar returned his thoughts to the present, Noah was laughing and seemed to be in the middle of a sentence,
“…if that’s what you desire we must start with the beginning. Do you understand what man is doing here…on Earth?”

Not wanting to appear ignorant, he shrugged his shoulders as he responded, “Why don’t you tell me?”

“All right,” Noah, rising slowly from his chair walked to one of the large open windows and sat on its sill. While looking out at the night sky he pointed upward and proceeded, “There is a story written in the heaven we call Rakia and by the way, I’m sure you understand there are seven heavens.”

Puzzled, Enmerkar shook his head as he
placed both hands together and rested his chin upon the tips of his fingers, “No, that’s something I’ve not heard.”

“Then we have our first topic, which I shall use to launch your education of the cosmos, but first, let me say that I shall give only an outline tonight. Tomorrow we shall proceed into
full detail, and as a way of warning, let me also say I have a tendency to ramble, you might have to keep me focused. This is, after all my favorite subject, so be forewarned.” Noah laughed and then added, “Besides, there are a lot of stars.

“The Dok is the night sky we see every evening as
the sun lowers into the horizon. It begins with twilight and ends with the breaking dawn. It was at the appearing of the Dok when the serpent deceived Eve. Beyond the Dok is the Rakia, the completed terrestrial universe. The Rakia goes beyond what we can see with our eyes, and even beyond what we see when we look through special lenses. I’ll show you these lenses when we examine the stars later. I call them my star viewer.

“Within the Rakia is the Mazzaroth, all the stars, inclu
ding the sun, moon, and planets. Many refer to the planets as the moving stars, but they are not stars and we shall also discuss that subject in greater detail. Anyway, going on with tonight’s subject. The Shechakim is the atmosphere or, if you prefer it’s the air, we breathe. We interact with the Dok, the Rakia, and the Shechakim daily, the three heavens or dimensions our terrestrial bodies can detect.

“Zevul, a dwelling within the everlasting Celestial world contains a city and also a temple not built by created beings
. The temple and city were spoken into existence. Michael the Warrior, who happens to be one of three reigning archangels, has the responsibility to protect Zevul. The city and temple stand protected for a future time. Someday it shall become the most important city for all humanity. Since it’s a Celestial place, we cannot yet enter the city, but there is an appointed time when it will descend and be part of Earth.

“Maon is another Celestial dwelling
. From Maon the Malakhim and other ministering spirits enter and leave our dimensions. Moan is the place of portals; it is between the two universes. When not in our realm angels stand at these portals and sing to Earth. Adam heard these songs, but that was before sin. Sin corrupted the ability to see or hear into the Celestial.

“The heaven the ancients called Machon is the location, which acts as a storehouse or Celestial treasury for elements. The elements needed for our planet...for all creation actually, are in this storehouse, well except for human life
, there is a second storehouse for human life.

“Aravot is that Celestial vault that contains the elements for human life and blessings. Aravot isn’t just a Celestial vault, but also the place where the throne of God’s government sits. It’s where the Ophannim, the angels who guard the presence of
El Elyon, dwell. Also, the Seraphim, the burning ones who sing to the Eternal God…uh…I mustn’t forget the Chayyot, the four living creatures who worship him as the Melek over all. He is the Melek of both universes, and he rules from the Aravot.

“The Chayyot are special created beings, they continually abide in Aravot. Only rarely do they enter into the Maon and almost never into the realm of Earth
. Aravot is the holiest of all holy places, except for the Eternal. As I said, man only interacts with the first three of these seven heavens. We can see the Dok and the Rakia, and our bodies live because we partake of the Shechakim. The Celestials live within the other four heavens. Zevul, Maon, Machon, and Aravot and they can only be accessed by mortal man through faith and prayer, unless El Elyon grants a divine, special appointment.”

Noah paused and held up four fingers of his right hand, “Growing up, I was told by my grandfather that his father, Enoch, visited all four of these Celestial heavens.” Noah made a fist with his left hand and wrapped his right hand around his left. Locking his hands tightly together he explained, “You see, Enoch said the universes are much like this, my left hand is inside my right
. The terrestrial is inside the Celestial. In other words, what we call our universe is surrounded by the Celestial universe.” Noah moved away from the open window, returning to his chair, “Any questions?”

Enmerkar smiled, using the opportunity to shift in his seat, “No, I’m following
.” Grinning he added, “This is very interesting, please go on.”

“First we need to go down a side trail. Originally ruled by an angelic being whose given name was Helel ben Shakar, Earth existed long before Adam. Helel was the first of the
archangels created. A brilliant being of light, a glorious creature, who portrayed the great majesty of El Elyon’s wisdom. Helel possessed, as do all Celestial beings, the ability to travel and manifest, both in the terrestrial and Celestial universes. However, he corrupted this great beauty when he abandoned his duties to El Elyon and sought for his own glory.