The Household of God
Volume 2
Rise and spiritual prime of the first world empire Hanoch
- Chapter 278 -
THE STRANGER WITH PURA, NAEME AND GHEMELA IN DISCUSSION ON THE HILL OF BEGETTING. THE OTHER WOMEN ARE HORRIFIED (22nd March 1843)
When the man had overtaken the two, and that a considerable distance closer to the spot where the two could have reached the other women to flee with the same into the hut of Uranion, they began to call for help.
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But the man said to them: "Listen to me, you two, you, Naeme, and you, Pura!
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"I tell you truly and faithfully not to be so afraid of me; for I have no evil intentions with you but am planning only something exceedingly good, something that will benefit you in the highest degree.
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"So proceed without fear with me in the direction of Purista's hut, and about thirty paces from the hut, by the beautiful cedar in the middle of a grassy hillock, we will discuss glorious and important things."
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When the two had heard this from the man they felt relieved and Pura, emboldened, dared to ask the man who and from where he was since he knew their names and only wanted to do them good, for they could not possibly remember having seen him anywhere, either in the lowlands or on the height.
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Thereupon the man said to them: "My beloved daughters of an exceedingly good Father, is this something miraculous in our present already very populous time?
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"Look, you are at home on the full height of the main patriarchs, and they are well-known to all dwellers of the height; thus also you are known since, as I said, you are at home with the main patriarchs. So if I, too, recognize you, what is so miraculous?
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"Whence and who I am, you will surely be able to fathom without much reflection. For you saw me come from midday, and this answers the 'whence' automatically; for from where I come, from there I am.
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"Since you certainly see in me a man and by no means a bird or other animal, the answer to the 'who I am' will be clearer than that to the 'whence'.
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"So do no longer ask me about things which, as far as is needed at present, must catch your eye at once, but rather go with me at once to the destined spot! There I shall clearly inform you as to how matters stand with the lowlands; for I was a witness from beginning to end of all that happened during that time in the lowlands and even know precisely what is going on there today.
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"So join me so that for your great consolation you may learn about all this earlier than all the others in the hut of Purista; for to my knowledge you were praying during this time most frequently and fervently day and night to God for the deliverance of the lowlands from perdition. Therefore it is right and proper, and so follow me."
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Hearing these assurances, the two did according to the man's bidding and at once went with him without further fear to the destined spot.
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But the two did not know that this spot was a hallowed one which no female was allowed to enter; thus it happened that when the other women noticed from Uranion's hut that the two proceeded to this hallowed spot, and that with a stranger, they rushed up to them and full of fear informed them about it. Even Ghemela called the two back timidly.
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But the man asked the women and in particular Ghemela: "What about this spot? Is not the whole earth created by God and thus equally hallowed everywhere?
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"If you women are not allowed to enter this spot because of its holiness, you may just as well remove yourselves from the entire earth; for no place on it is less holy - than this here!
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"You yourselves follow the somewhat foolish lawful custom of copulating under this very same tree before sunrise because in the region of the morning a copulation elsewhere is declared a sin.
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"If you believe not to defile this spot with your carnal desire, these two with their purest spiritual desire in God should do so even less.
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"So you can retreat again; for I with my two beloved shall not leave this place! - But you, Ghemela, are allowed to come up to us; for I know you and that you are faithful in your love."
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But Ghemela answered the man: "What are you demanding of me? Do you not know that the Lord has tied me to Lamech and that my heart must remain in the Lord always and forever?"
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But the man spoke to her: "Knowing that, I call you up to me for that very reason! But as always, it is up to you to follow this call or not. If you want to, come, and if you do not want to, return at once with the others to Uranion's hut."
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Thereupon Ghemela said to the man: "Good, wise man, your voice mightily attracts me to you; If you would and could make my excuse to Lamech, I, too, would like to go to you."
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But the man replied to Ghemela, saying: "Not I, but Lamech, your husband, will excuse you personally, namely, to me! So do what you think fit."
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Here Ghemela tore herself away from the other women, rushed up to the man with the two and, sitting down at the man's feet, soon admired the cleanness of the same.
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But the women standing below were sulky at the boldness of the man and in particular at that of the, by now, three females.
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And Uranion's wife gave a loud scream and said: "Today of all days such unheard-of disgrace must be brought upon us as the Lord is being expected in the hut! What will the fathers say when they see such disgrace? Three women and, what is more, the most beautiful! - with a strong-looking man in broad daylight in the place of copulation! - O disgrace, disgrace, disgraces!"
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But the man spoke: "Yes, indeed a great disgrace, - but not on me, but on your great folly! Now go and be quiet, or I shall know how to seal your mouth!"
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Here the women fell silent and the man began to reveal to the three all that had happened in the lowlands and how matters now stood there.
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When the three had heard this in convincing clarity, they began to rejoice loudly and glorified and praised God for such great mercy.
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But the other women thought that the man was having an affair with the three; and they ran to the hut of Purista and shouted to the men what was happening out there.