That You May Live Again: Biblical Fiction with a Purpose

That You May Live Again
by
Josprel

Part One

With apprehension, Odom and Chevva approached the spot indicated by Logos. Clad in the leaf aprons, they lifted their guilt lowered eyes, and were astounded by the scene before them. Trussed on a large, flat topped rock was a lamb a pure white yearling, uttering no sound. The couple never had seen any creature so handled. The animal was obviously uncomfortable on its stone bed.

Logos stood at one side of the rock, facing them. The ethereal presence of the Ruah occupied the other. Behind the stone was Jehovah, a long, narrow, fine pointed, slate blade in His right hand. The sight of the blade sent the unfamiliar sensation of cold shivers tingling along the spines of the First Couple; something terrible was about to happen!

From the beginning, Odom and Chevva never doubted the love of The Three. And, though they understood they were still loved, from the moment they ate of the Forbidden Tree, an alien emotion dominated them. It was internalized by horrible sensations of impending doom that discomfited the fellowship they always had enjoyed with The Three. Somehow, a veil seemed drawn between them and The Three, who now appeared inaccessible.

Turning towards the lamb, Jehovah pulled back its head with His left hand. Still, the lamb continued its silence. Jehovah plunged the blade into the stretched out throat and, with a forcible backward tug on the head, he made a deep, slashing cut that instantly severed the jugular. The lamb convulsed, heaving against its trusses, its eyes rolled back into their sockets. With a gurgle, tongue lolling from one side of its wide open mouth, the dying creature desperately vainly attempted to draw air. From the wound, the pulsating heart pumped blood mingled with red froth, spurting the gore to the cold, gray surface of the execution stone.

Legs rendered incapable of supporting her petite frame, with a soft moan, Chevva sank to the ground, her long, raven hair blanketing her trembling form. Hands hiding her face, attempting to erase the horror, she lay curled on her side, sobbing.

Odom also was profoundly moved by the spectacle. Wave after nauseous wave of revulsion surged through his being, their sequences seeming to correspond to the pulsating, red fountain issuing from the lamb. He quaked uncontrollably; only by clinging to a nearby tree did he prevent
himself from joining Chevva on the ground. Face ashen, stomach in revolt, he clung to his support desperately, eyes riveted on the lamb.

Finally, with a last convulsion, the creature lay still in the widening pool of its blood. Reflecting a deep crimson against the gray of the stone, the gore crept over the edge, widening into multiple streams that, descending the sides, flowed down to soak the ground.

Anguished gaze still transfixed by the sight, Odom's mind struggled to comprehend the horror. What happened to the lamb? A strange, profoundly uncomfortable sensation rose from the deepest well of his being; desiring to flee, he couldn't move.

Finally, with a great effort, Odom managed to tear his gaze from the lamb and set it on The Three. He sensed an ambiance of such profound compassion that, with remorseful tears, he joined Chevva on the ground. Penetrating through his mournful sobs, Logos said, "Do you see, Odom? Do you see, Chevva? This is death!"

Jehovah again raised his right arm, forefinger extended heavenward. Slowly, he lowered it in an unbending arc, indicating the lamb. Descending the sky, a brilliant flame struck the carcass, entirely consuming it.

Two more lambs suffered execution, but were not burned. Then Jehovah spoke, sorrow freighting his voice, "Your transgression has caused this. You have broken the commandment, and now you have learned what death is. As are these lambs, so should you be; they died because of your transgression.

"You have seen these creatures severed from the source of their lives. Thus has your disobedience severed you from the source of your lives your communion with The Three. You have died, and through you, your race also has died. Though you still exist, you are dead, but you may live again.

"To live again, your race must observe this Memorial throughout all their generations, until he who has done no transgression comes. He is perfect in his obedience. He is my lamb who shall offer himself for you. With his blood, he shall purge your transgressions, that you may live again. Those of your race who receive him also shall live again.

"The blood of these innocent Memorial lambs hides your guilt from my sight, but only until my lamb is sacrificed. His blood shall thoroughly purge those who receive him from their transgressions. Until he comes, you must do as you have seen me do, and your seed after you also must do so, that you may live again."

When Jehovah finished speaking, he began skinning the remaining carcasses. When the grisly task was completed, he summoned the couple and held out the fleeces still stained with blood. Cringing back, Odom and Chevva refused to accept them.

"Take them! Wash them in the stream! The red stains are from the blood. Cleanse the fleeces thoroughly and return to me. Don't dawdle. Work quickly and hurry back."

The First Couple backed away, but no reprieve came from The Three. Gingerly holding their malodorous burdens at arm's length, they headed for the nearby stream.

"Man has become as one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not partake of the Tree of Life and live forever in his transgression," Jehovah said.

Yes, Odom and Chevva must leave the Garden Reserve," agreed Logos, "but they shall attempt to return."

The Ruah said, "I have summoned one of the Shining Ones for that reason. Odom and Chevva indeed will seek to return to the Garden Reserve, but the Shining One shall prevent it. The time will come when Odom's race shall partake of the Tree of Life, but not now."

Continued in Part Two