Read Online Rising Darkness by D. Brian Shafer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: D. Brian Shafer
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tonight, to do with Daniel?”
Gabriel looked at Bakka with compassion.
“Study the man,” said Gabriel, ignoring Bakka’s question. “Discover why he feels the way he does. Many destinies hang in the balance this evening, and as with all human destiny, it is a matter of his choosing.”
The two walked to the crest of a hill overlooking the sleepy little town, leaving the shepherds at their fire. The area was beginning to light up from the many angels who were gathering. Bakka was puzzled.
“Gabriel?” asked Bakka. “What is to be decided tonight at Bethlehem?”
Gabriel looked at Bakka and then at the great star.
“Everything,” he answered quietly. “Everything.”
“And so, boys,” Eli continued, “as to the remainder of the conquests…Refreshed with a new sense of holiness and mission, Joshua led his people through Canaan in victory after victory over the wicked nations that had made their stronghold in the land of promise.” He cocked his head back and sighed aloud. “Those were glorious days for our fathers,” he added, imagining the great clashes of armies.
He leaned in and said dramatically, “And many a devil lost his seat of worship, I can tell you! Places of detestable worship and religious wickedness were destroyed by Joshua’s advancing armies. As for Joshua—he was to become one of the greatest generals we ever had!”
The shepherds all turned in the direction of some footsteps out in the darkness. It was Bezael, returning with a bit more wood for the little fire. He placed it on the embers and in a few moments, the fire crackled back to life.
“I like Joshua,” said Jarod. “I wish we were in a war right now!”
“Oh we are, boy, we are,” said Daniel, who was eating a bit of bread. “The enemy is right down there.” He pointed toward Bethlehem. “Remember all the people we saw earlier today streaming into the town? They are proof of our enemy’s control over us. The emperor ordered that all of Israel be taken up in the census so we can pay for the privilege of their occupation.” He spat on the fire. “Roman census!”
“It’s true our nation has fallen on hard times,” agreed Eli. “Augustus’ decree goes throughout the empire, though, and not simply our little part.”
“Well it’s our little part that concerns me,” snapped Daniel. “The rest of the empire be hanged!”
“I’ll bet Joshua could drive them out if he was here,” chimed in little Joshua.
“You keep dreaming those things, boy,” said Daniel sarcastically, staring vacantly at the new star that hung over Bethlehem. “Maybe someday a Joshua will return.”
As he said this he looked at the boy, who wasn’t sure of what to make of Daniel. All little Joshua knew was that the wonderful stories of old Israel and the rekindled fire had made it a very cozy night. And he desperately wanted to stay awake as Eli continued speaking. A few of the other shepherds had themselves fallen asleep, having switched off the night’s watch.
Jarod, the older of the boys, also determined to stay awake the whole night with the other men, something he had never yet successfully done. This seemed the best night to do it—what with the great conversation, the talk of war with the Romans that was always bandied about, and the strange star that had been haunting the Bethlehem nights for a few weeks now.
Eli, refreshed with some food, was now ready to continue his storytelling. The other men implored him to continue, for they enjoyed his ability to cast the old days in such refreshing and lively terms. Only Daniel had objected to his speaking, but he was now asleep.
“So what happened after Joshua took Canaan?” asked Jarod, excited to get the conversation going once more.
“Well, Jarod,” said Eli, “Joshua was never able to convince the people to conquer everything that God had promised them. So they took possession of most of the land, but left some of it unconquered. Such a shame.”
But what did
Gabriel looked at Bakka with compassion.
“Study the man,” said Gabriel, ignoring Bakka’s question. “Discover why he feels the way he does. Many destinies hang in the balance this evening, and as with all human destiny, it is a matter of his choosing.”
The two walked to the crest of a hill overlooking the sleepy little town, leaving the shepherds at their fire. The area was beginning to light up from the many angels who were gathering. Bakka was puzzled.
“Gabriel?” asked Bakka. “What is to be decided tonight at Bethlehem?”
Gabriel looked at Bakka and then at the great star.
“Everything,” he answered quietly. “Everything.”
“And so, boys,” Eli continued, “as to the remainder of the conquests…Refreshed with a new sense of holiness and mission, Joshua led his people through Canaan in victory after victory over the wicked nations that had made their stronghold in the land of promise.” He cocked his head back and sighed aloud. “Those were glorious days for our fathers,” he added, imagining the great clashes of armies.
He leaned in and said dramatically, “And many a devil lost his seat of worship, I can tell you! Places of detestable worship and religious wickedness were destroyed by Joshua’s advancing armies. As for Joshua—he was to become one of the greatest generals we ever had!”
The shepherds all turned in the direction of some footsteps out in the darkness. It was Bezael, returning with a bit more wood for the little fire. He placed it on the embers and in a few moments, the fire crackled back to life.
“I like Joshua,” said Jarod. “I wish we were in a war right now!”
“Oh we are, boy, we are,” said Daniel, who was eating a bit of bread. “The enemy is right down there.” He pointed toward Bethlehem. “Remember all the people we saw earlier today streaming into the town? They are proof of our enemy’s control over us. The emperor ordered that all of Israel be taken up in the census so we can pay for the privilege of their occupation.” He spat on the fire. “Roman census!”
“It’s true our nation has fallen on hard times,” agreed Eli. “Augustus’ decree goes throughout the empire, though, and not simply our little part.”
“Well it’s our little part that concerns me,” snapped Daniel. “The rest of the empire be hanged!”
“I’ll bet Joshua could drive them out if he was here,” chimed in little Joshua.
“You keep dreaming those things, boy,” said Daniel sarcastically, staring vacantly at the new star that hung over Bethlehem. “Maybe someday a Joshua will return.”
As he said this he looked at the boy, who wasn’t sure of what to make of Daniel. All little Joshua knew was that the wonderful stories of old Israel and the rekindled fire had made it a very cozy night. And he desperately wanted to stay awake as Eli continued speaking. A few of the other shepherds had themselves fallen asleep, having switched off the night’s watch.
Jarod, the older of the boys, also determined to stay awake the whole night with the other men, something he had never yet successfully done. This seemed the best night to do it—what with the great conversation, the talk of war with the Romans that was always bandied about, and the strange star that had been haunting the Bethlehem nights for a few weeks now.
Eli, refreshed with some food, was now ready to continue his storytelling. The other men implored him to continue, for they enjoyed his ability to cast the old days in such refreshing and lively terms. Only Daniel had objected to his speaking, but he was now asleep.
“So what happened after Joshua took Canaan?” asked Jarod, excited to get the conversation going once more.
“Well, Jarod,” said Eli, “Joshua was never able to convince the people to conquer everything that God had promised them. So they took possession of most of the land, but left some of it unconquered. Such a shame.”
But what did
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