TITLE: The Exiled Intro to chapter 2. 20th June 2017 By Elaine Hemingway 06/30/17 |
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CHAYA
How interesting that an old friend, Xarlon, is amongst the angels in attendance. He tells me he has been on the Mission fields with Margaret, and has been giving her warning signs that she will be involved in Marla’s recovery, though the spiritual is likely to take longer than the physical, as we all realise. I remember him so well from when his charge was a man called Zadok, and we worked together during the Exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Our charges then were related for I watched over Zadok’s daughter, Shaina, who was drastically caught in the dramas of the exodus from Jerusalem, when the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar razed the city of David. Xarlon was a strong co-worker then and I know he will be helpful now, for his wisdom is well recognised amongst the host.
Strangely, as I recall those days. Zadok, and his wife Eliana , also lost twins, though they were babies, and Shaina was a young girl of four years with a brother, Jadek, who was then about six. The city of Jerusalem was attacked by the army of Nebuchadnezzar and the family had watched from afar as thousands of their countrymen were taken captive. The learned, the artisans and the defence forces were all captured and taken by force to Babylon. That was the first of the attempts to destroy the temple and remove its treasures. Elyon had warned – and it was so --- Xarlon helped Zadok in his understanding just as I now have to help Marla.
It can be hard for Believers to reconcile words like the ones in the Psalms, when life throws them curved balls, but together we will guide them into a realisation that Elyon’s ways are not always theirs. If they read the Word they will know that He commands His angels concerning them to guard them in all their ways.
*Psalm 91:11
I was not aware that Elyon was allowing Marla to have dreams. As I watch over her I have rejoiced with the other angels at the bedside of my charge, so that together we could discuss the links being forged that had brought these characters together.
I cannot read my protégée’s thoughts. Only Elyon can do that, but I can read from her words and actions, so usually can follow quite clearly what her choices will be.
Who is she looking for? It appears that she is seeing, or somehow sensing, the same Shaina I knew.
A foreboding shadows my memories and I foresee the Spiritual warfare that Margaret is sensing so well, but will this be as taxing as then? It began with a disaster and a chain of choices but as with all choices, the consequences continued, like falling leaves in the wind.
For now, I continue to watch my charge, and wait. What happens next may reveal what Elyon is planning, not only for her, but for those who are now brought into her life.
I have high hopes for Margaret, especially as her angel is Xarlon who protected his charge, Zadok, through seventy years of exile almost three millennia ago.
Through our discussions together we can link the two eras that are now challenging us all as we look to the similarities and dangers of present times.
Chapter two
587 BC
Eliana ben Hadad looked at her husband with fear etched in the frown across her face. “Are you sure that it is so urgent, my dear one?â€
“Indeed, I am sure. Daniel sent this message moons ago for it to reach us now.†Her husband, Zadok, drew his fingers gently down her cheek, and guided her to a stool. “I know it is hard, and I realise it is difficult to leave all this behind, but this time there is no hope for Jerusalem.â€
“I’m sure you’re right, dear one, but the memories come back and haunt me. I can’t help wondering who we will lose this time in the madness. Our babies, my mother and father, Josef, all gone in the fighting and the conscription of nine years ago. Who next, Zadok?†Eliana preferred to keep out of her mind the memories of the first attempt to destroy Jerusalem. “I was almost destroyed then, Zadok, not only the city.â€
Zadok took her hands and caressed the fingers, so nimble and work worn from her needlework as a seamstress. His dark eyes looked into her hazel ones seeing the fear and apprehension dissolve as he drew her to himself in a gentle caress. He knelt beside her seat, his gown settling in the dust, and his dark curls shadowing his strong features. “You worry about Shaina and Jadek? They are old enough to understand and actually be helpful on the journey we are about to take. Already they have realised our departure is unavoidable and have helped in your preparations. They will understand that we must delay no longer.â€
“So what has Daniel to say that has precipitated your decision?†She burrowed her face into his palms, and he felt her determination to be optimistic. “I saw the tradesman passing through and giving you the scroll. I wondered all day what was in it so was not unduly surprised when you came back from the Sheep Gate with your news.â€
Zadok released her hands and stood to take a scroll from his long skirts. “I’ll read you some or it,†he said as he unrolled it, resting it on the table. “As one privy to the Court, I know that King Nebuchadnezzar has determined to finally raze the walls of Jerusalem and to bring the last of the treasures from the Temple to his own temple of Marduk. He has already started to send contingents of soldiers who will have no mercy. I urge you to take your earliest opportunity to leave. He is determined to attend to the final destruction himself so will follow his army very soon.â€
990 words
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