CHAPTER THREE
ABRAM STANDS HIS GROUND
In the same night Terah had drifted into a dream. In the dream the Lord came and stood by him and called him.
The Lord: Terah, Terah…
Terah: Here am I, my Lord.
The Lord: Fear not to come out of this city, as thy son has spoken to you, for I have a purpose to fulfil with him in a land that I will give him. The abominations of this city have filled up the cup before me. I will do to her what I will do at the appointed time. Therefore, arise and leave this place. I will guide you on the way that you will go. Fear not. I am the Lord.
And the dream faded away. Terah woke up from sleep and was quite moved in heart. He didn’t know what to say, but he was sure of one thing. God has spoken! As he mused on that he saw Nahor approaching looking disturbed.
Terah: Shalom, son. Welcome! Is all well with you?
Nahor: Shalom, father. It has been peaceful since morning, quite bright, but with some chills too.
Terah: Yes, a dry season, it suggests.
Nahor: A bit early. The barley might be scourged, this time.
Terah: It might be? It will be, a punishment, by the divine hand. But you look disturbed…
Nahor: Yes, it is true, I am… has my brother briefed you about his experiences of late?
Terah: Of course.
Nahor: What do you think about it?
Terah: God speaks once, and that is all.
Nahor: You mean you are leaving next month?
Terah: Who said next month?
Nahor: Abram, of course.
Terah: I know nothing about that, but God must be obeyed, to be safe. You remember the flood…? They who refused to obey perished. God speaks once!
Nahor: So, we must go… Go right away? No problem with “going” but “right away”?
Terah: Well… Go pray over it. But don’t forget: God speaks once. It shouldn’t bother you. Safety is only found in God’s hands. They proper who walk alone in the way that the most high directs. Reason has always failed, but God’s word has never, not even once. It is time for you to prove your faith. No need of our words; they only brood doubts…the very shadow of hell!
Nahor: (With his heart pleading, as he shakes his head) Yes, I will pray. I need faith, this hour… so challenging!
Nahor leaves his father and goes towards his home; he arrives goes after his wife; she was in the garden with her maid.
Nahor: (disturbed) Dear, just a minute…
Milcah: Yes please, here am I, my lord.
Milcah walks towards the house, not guessing anything serious.
Milcah: What are people saying… About last Monday evening… All sorts of lies… Isn’t it?
Nahor: Most of them these days cannot discern left from right. All are taken up in their riot affairs… They will always pull the blanket their way. Lies are sweeter, of course, to any carnal heart.
Milcah: That is true. Vain men… All about them is vanity. By the way, have you met your brother, Abram, of late?
Nahor: That is why I have called you.
Milcah: Is he well? And Sarah?
Nahor: Yes, they are at peace, at least…but…
Milcah: But what…?
Nahor: That light of Monday evening… Abram has a word about it. But it is so challenging!
Milcah: I thought so! I saw him leave for the hill that afternoon, (I had gone there to see my sister) and something happened in my heart… So, indicative it was – a turning point upon the horizon. I knew something somewhere would happen. Prayers never lie.
Nahor: You speak as though you are aware of the turn of things. It is astounding!
Milcah: No, I don’t, but there is a God in heaven who touches hearts, suffusing them with reality… How that this city is weight in His balance and found wanting. We expect his voice about it.
Nahor: Why, you seem to know something, but you are hiding from me… Something about last Monday night. Has Sarai whispered to you?
Milcah: Sarai? No, we have not met since last Monday. I have no knowledge of anything as yet, but I am waiting on the Lord. I believe what He spoke to Abram Monday night. I know not what, but I believe it, with all my heart. Abram has a message, a message for this hour. God’s hand is on him. It is obvious. Dear, do you believe God’s voice in him? Do you?
Nahor: You know not what, yet you believe? How can it be? What if it is a lie?
Milcah: (With a tone carrying surprise) Oh, my lord! A lie? Every tree is known by her fruits, please! How can you gather briars from an apple? Impossible! I believe what God has been speaking by Abram. And when I saw him climb that hill last Monday, something said in my heart, “There goes a servant of God to hear from Him on our behalf!” So, I believe it. I rejoice in it too. Hearken!
Nahor: (With the voice full of contempt) Just shout, but if I tell you what he says, you might keep quiet forever.
Milcah: (With joy beaming in her eyes) Me to keep quiet? Oh, my lord, say it. I will shout the more. God’s word thrills my heart whatever the case! I believe it! I love it too. Glory! Hallelujah! Say it! Oh, dear me…
Nahor: Abram says that God told him that we should… my! quite a mouthful!
Milcah: My lord, please! A mouthful? Whose mouth? Not mine! Just enough for me to chew and swallow with no strain at all. I am ready to leave any time, even tomorrow! I am tired of the Chaldeans, how they are on rampage with their idolatry! How their worship has become a stench! How the streets are littered with half naked women, in little tight attire showing every cavity of their body. Quite hateful! Men rioting all day long in their liquor joints, cursing, fighting, killing… My! I am fed up! I am ready to start, even now.
Nahor: Quite worked up, but you might cool off before long. I don’t oppose the fact of leaving this place. It is dirty enough to warrant being forgotten, but we need order, order, order, please, lest we come to poverty.
Milcah: Regret? My lord, you speak like one who has never known God. What about faith in action? She knows no regret! We live only by faith. How are you sure you will be alive today evening? Only by faith! Put faith forward, your pilgrimage is all smiles to the end, but lay all upon carnal reason, your pilgrimage will be a sorry state. Be a solid man, please! I like some man with a backbone, not a wishy-washy!
Nahor: You call me “wishy-washy”? You should have some respects; true worshippers, being females, should reverence their husbands!
Milcah: That is why I address you “lord” and I mean it. But when it comes to spiritual grounds, I have a Lord in heaven who is your Lord too, or?
Nahor: Exactly! But calling me “wishy-washy”? That is too much.
Milcah: See how you rush into conclusions… I never said you are that. I said I like a man with a backbone… One who is ready to stand with the truth, come rain or shine… That is what I mean, my lord.
Nahor: So, you mean… I don’t have a backbone.
Milcah: No, my lord. If you stand with God’s Word, regardless of the consequences, you have a backbone. Do you?
Nahor: Which word?
Milcah: Like what God has spoken to us through Abram.
Nahor: Do you know what He told him? It seems you are hiding something…
Milcah: No, my lord, I hide nothing from you. Only I am a witness. God speaks to the hearts too.
Nahor: Tell me what he spoke to him.
Milcah: Will you believe it?
Nahor: Of course, if it is sound, I will.
Milcah: Of course, God’s word must be sound!
Nahor: Tell me before I tell you what Abram has told me.
Milcah: I have already told you, that when I saw Abram climbing the hill that day, something whispered to my heart: there goes a servant of God to hear from Him. So, I believe what he spoke to him, no matter! It is God’s word.
Nahor: What if he says that you are to die next week? Or that you should take wings and fly away?
Milcah: If it’s God who would have said it, I would believe it… Exactly! God speaks once… And no other response but “Amen!” I will die and rest in him or take wings to heaven. What difference does it make? Umm… I love it! Oh, the sweet word of God! Please, speak it to me again and again!
Nahor: Well, here are the strange news: that we should prepare to leave this city by next month. You are ready for it? True to your word?
Milcah: Has God said it? then mine is to say, “Amen!” I am ready to go… tired of the Chaldeans anyhow!
Nahor: But you have been claiming that you already know it, or?
Milcah: Is that what God told Abram last Monday night?
Nahor: Yes!
Milcah: I believe it. I am ready too.
Nahor: Ready? Please! Put things on an even balance!
Milcah: Exactly! God’s balance is the most even, my lord, or?
Nahor: Well… Well, we have to put things in place. For instance, we need some food. Barley is not yet ready. Another two-month needed to get it there. That is the right timing… When it just ripens. Or else what will you be cooking along the way. Your excitement won’t make a day for you. Please, sober up and listen.
Milcah: God who has commanded us thus, will provide for us. All the heavens of heavens are His, what can He not do? Obedience is the best response when God speaks.
Nahor: Yes, so obey, but the way might prove too long for you too soon.
Milcah: (Softly) I hope you also believe it, my lord… or?
Nahor: Believe it? Obvious! But order, order, order. You have been living in this city since you were born, why the hurry!
Milcah: God speaks once… Man is to respond with “Amen” and move on. Wisdom advises thus.
Nahor: We have heard it from a-many ships which never made to the shore.
Milcah: They recited it, chanted it, sung it, but unbelieve held sway in their hearts still; yes, religious persons have met such ship-wretch, but all who personally heard God in their day and believed Him made it. Certainly!
At that juncture Nahor left, not happy with the outcome. It appeared he was alone. He started feeling loneliness. Where was he heading to? To intercept his nephew, Lot, Haran’s son, his late brother. He didn’t know that Abram had already discussed it with Lot.
Nahor: Shalom, my son. Peace to you.
Lot: Shalom, uncle, peace back to you.
Nahor: Where from?
Lot: ‘Been checking on the herders and shepherds.
Nahor: Have you heard about the new development?
Lot: About what?
Nahor: Of course, but there is no other ground…
Lot: Then how will he start off.
Nahor: Ask him! He will say: “God knows,” and nothing else.
Nahor: Abram and so forth…
Lot: About his encounter with the heavenlies on the Difficult?
Nahor: Yes.
Lot: Yes, it has been whispered in my ear.
Nahor: Is it? What is your take?
Lot: Not very sure. Still weighing… Consulting too.
Nahor: Consulting who, for example?
Lot: You and the rest.
Nahor: The rest are for it. So, you better decide, what next.
Lot: No, you are the elder. Let me hear from you.
Nahor: The episode is all too wonderful to turn down. Any man with any sense knows this city is sinking. We have no city anymore. It is just a den of every foul thing.
Lot: True. No words strong enough to describe it.
Nahor: But we need some order to start off. Yes, our departure is long overdue, yet we have lived here all along. Why should we hurry?
Lot: Well, I don’t see the need either, but maybe God is about to sink her to hell, so we better hurry, or?
Nahor: Yes, but He also knows our needs. Barley is not yet ripe, we need it! We can’t pretend! Just a few weeks, seven or so and we shall have it all in our barns. We’ll shell, sale some and carry some. Quite a normal thing!
Lot: Well, maybe we will talk to Abram about it.
Nahor: He doesn’t give as much as an iota of his ear for it. You know him, don’t you? He isn’t a stranger to you. Once decided, he never gives reason a chance.
Lot: So, what do we do? Talk to my grandfather?
Nahor: He is already captured!
Lot: What of Sarai?
Nahor: You think anything else makes sense to her than what Abram says? Please, why talk ignorance? If my wife is already taken captive, then who else remains?
Lot: We can try sending Abram’s steward to him to try to convince him, sighting some reason concerning the flocks.
Nahor: You talk like a novice. When did a servant prevail over his master where his brother failed?
Lot: Well, still we must think of a way. Look, we can delay a little, then follow them after three or four weeks.
Nahor: Quite a bright suggestion, but already defeated. We may never know the way.
Lot: We should ask Abram to describe it.
Nahor: Describe it? He doesn’t know it either!
Lot: So, what next?
Nahor: Just wait and see.
Lot: A very shaky ground!
Nahor: I concur. Let us think about it as we pray. Let me check on the flocks.
Lot: We will still think about it. Meanwhile, let us consider prayer, it changes hearts.
So, the two parted, Lot to his house and Nahor towards his herds and flocks. Lot passed his house and went straight to Abram’s house, about three hundred meters away. Abram was not there, but he found Sarai.
Lot: Shalom aunt! Quite busy…
Sarai: Shalom! Welcome Lot. Yes, I have to set a few things in place daily, for soon and very soon we may start off. How is the going out there?
Lot: Fine. But it’s getting tough… Quite challenging I must admit.
Sarai: What is that challenging you, Lot?
Lot: Oh, you know what…? My uncle has briefed me about his prayer last Monday night. It is alright, I guess. But starting off too soon may be costly…
Sarai: (Wearing a serious countenance) Costly? In terms of what? No please, the Lord speaks once…! Next, is your obedience. Don’t you know that?
Lot: (Not sure of himself) True. That is the right way. Blessings come along that line…but taking a little time to get ready works better. The ancients have said “hurry-hurry” means disaster ahead.
Sarai: (rising up her head to face Lot) Of course… Why not? But who is hurrying? We are getting ready, putting all in place to ensure our pilgrimage sets off soonest. Are you also going?
Lot: If my grandfather and my uncles are going, then I can’t remain alone. I will have to.
Sarai: (With a stern countenance) It is better to have your own experience in it. Stand on your own feet as a spiritual man should… don’t just follow what others do. Have you prayed about it since?
Lot: (Emotional) Pray? I have just heard it today…about five hours ago.
Sarai: (Facing Lot) First, go pray. Set your heart right with God. Get his touch too. Faith is what wins in such times. You need a personal calling too, to serve the Lord. Don’t ride on another’s experience. It is not a group work. You will need a solid ground to prevail… The gates of hell are wild, only faith can tame them. You’re no more a kid. Stand on your own feet, as a man should.
Lot: (Appearing confused) Well… That is it. Faith brings victory. May God help us. It is a tough choice, though.
Sarai: Yes! Only the brave walks with God, for He is the bravest. You need some backbone too, if you will win the race. It is not all about what you think and do, it’s what God thinks and does. Once you have sold all your heart to him, the rest becomes a downhill. Believe me Lot. You need a personal experience.
Lot: I agree with you, aunt. I should pray, certainly. But it seems God hears some people easily…others can hardly get there.
Sarai: (With tenderness in her voice) Son, it depends on your level of dedication, and your motive too. The more you dedicate your life to Him, the more He moves closer; but if you go the religious way, you are most likely to hit a granite wall. As I have always encouraged you, seek the Lord diligently and you will find him. Let him be your First and Last – your everything, I mean.
Lot: (Looking troubled) I am willing. My heart is willing. The trouble is the flesh. Pray for me, please. I hope I will make it someday. I know Uncle Abram is right; he is quite spiritual too. I love to keep company with him. It is safe…
Sarai: God has no ear for the carefree man… the foolish who takes Him for granted. Don’t just desire the company of Abram, desire the company of God, for He keeps close to all who seek Him diligently. Remember the prayers of the religious makes no sense to Him. All prayer books in Ur are a vanity. God hears a broken heart; He remembers the contrite in spirit; yes, those who pour their soul to him as sweet incense. Forget those religious chants from the Ziggurat, they make no sense before God.
Lot: Yes, I will do.
Sarai: May His countenance shine upon you when your heart gets broken.
Lot: (Almost crying) Quite needy for it.
Sarai: Actions speak louder, son. If indeed you are needy, so needy in heart, then let your actions tell it all.
Lot: (A couple of teardrops trickle down his cheeks) Quite a challenge, aunt. It cuts through my soul exposing a lazy, indolent spirit. That is at the bottom of it all. ‘Drives me towards broad ways, the downstream. Sure, I need a change of heart. May the Lord lift his countenance upon me. Also remember my wife, quite a city-woman! She has it all in her heart… almost. A hard nut to crack. She needs an overhaul, a little more than I do, I suppose.
Sarai: You went after her, isn’t it? Nobody could have diverted you from her, I remember. You were cheated by her eyelids, taken prisoner by her deceitful smile, and now the birds have come home to roost. You reap nothing else but what you broadcast, isn’t it? But I will pray for you.
Lot: (Crying) I agree, aunt, I have heard it rough. I have to pay for it… but they say that our God is gracious…
Lot while sobbing profusely, started off to his home, hiding his face, to avoid embarrassment. He mentioned nothing about it to his wife. He knew better… a war will be the result.
It was about lunch hour as he entered the house. His wife had just arrived from the city square. She ran some small business in town. It was just starting off, picking up momentum.
She was studying him as he approached. She entered the house ahead of him. She had already got the difference upon his countenance, though he had tried hard to compose himself.
Norah: (Lot’s wife) What is this I am hearing all over?
Lot: You have not greeted me, dear, since morning, for you left before I was up.
Norah: (Sarcastically) Lacy men…! their sleep never can be exhausted… But why add insult to injury?
Lot: Well… What is it that moves you thus?
Norah: Of course, you know! Why pretend! ‘hate it to begin with!
Lot: I need to be informed.
Norah: You need to be what? Where are you from, and what have been discussing with your aunt?
Lot: Well, you had better come out clear. Many voices are out there.
Norah: Don’t pretend. All the city is aflame with nothing else but the wild claims.
Lot: What claims?
Norah: Pretence! I hate it! Are you also starting off to nowhere?
Lot: To nowhere? Speak with some grace, please. God must be feared if you hope to win.
Norah: Win what, along such wild endeavours? We must employ our reason. God did not give it to you in vain, that faculty. “A fool believes all he hears,” says the ancient, “but a wise man discerns what is good, and digests it too, before absorbing.”
Lot: But what have I done? Say it!
Norah: Abram is not the only man by whom God speaks. God speaks to us also. I have dreamed dreams, you know that. And you remember the one of last month, that we had started off to some unknown place and got lost in the deserts. I told you, but nobody took me seriously. It is now on your doorsteps. Be careful…
Lot: Give me time to pray, please. God answers prayer.
Norah: Yes, pray, but don’t be a fanatic. Give reason a chance. Use common sense too.
Lot held his peace and left for the hills. He couldn’t make it under such weather. Certainly, he needed a quieter place to reach out to God for another touch. His head was getting hot, just spinning. This time, in his prayers, for the first time, his heart was quite broken. He stayed on his knees for hours. He came home as the evening shades began to shade the hills.
Echoes From Paradise 