The Fall - By Chana Keefer

CHAPTER Fifteen

Justice and Mercy



As they drew near the appointed place, the air became solemn and still. On all sides now they beheld the garden’s bedraggled, wounded occupants drawn, just like them, toward Adonai’s presence.

Then they felt His gaze and their sorrow was complete as His purity flayed their souls which had never known anything but acceptance and love in His presence. Now the scent and sight of His holiness repelled them.

The man and woman were so ashamed they did not even try to look at Adonai. If they had, they might have found courage. His every gesture and expression poured forth only heartbroken compassion and grief. His eyes were molten love—with righteous anger, yet determined to save and restore. Although His creation lay in tatters at His feet, not a trace of hopelessness or despair bowed His shoulders.

“Why did you not come when I called?”

Adonai’s voice was gentle but to their guilty ears His words were vindictive and full of judgment. Adam was trembling as every instinct screamed for him to run away. His voice cracked with adolescent nervousness, “We were ashamed b… because we were naked.”

“I created you. Is anything hidden from Me? Who taught you to be ashamed of your nakedness, to hide in fear from Me?”

Neither could answer. Each felt the eyes of countless wounded creatures and heavenly hosts bearing down, driving them to the ground with guilt.

“My child, I gave one directive, one command you were to obey, to avoid the fruit of the evil one. Did you disobey that command?”

His words sliced across the young man’s heart. In that moment, Adam finally understood the horror of possible separation from his Maker. He had never realized how Adonai was more important than the air he breathed until he found himself suffocating in panic. “Please, Oh Most High, I would not ever have dreamed of disobeying you, but the… the woman you gave me, she convinced me to listen to the evil one.”

As he blamed Glory, Adam glanced into his Creator’s eyes… then looked away, more ashamed than ever.

“Woman, the man has accused you of leading him into evil. What do you say?”

Glory was finally feeling something besides shame as anger flooded her being. Here, before Adonai and the assembled host, Adam had laid the blame for evil’s triumph at her feet. Tears stung her eyes as she realized she stood alone to defend herself. “Lord, I wanted to run away, but a monstrous serpent charmed and ensnared me. It lied to me and convinced me to heed the evil one.”

“Where is the serpent?”

“I never saw a serpent…” Adam began but stopped when it came into view.

Tall and mesmerizing, it was escorted forward by two angels. The gorgeous creature held its head high, forcing all assembled to acknowledge its queenly bearing. A dull roar of murmurs and exclamations accompanied her progress toward Adonai’s throne.

“Handmaiden of evil, long have we heard rumors of your service to the fallen one. Do you deny these accusations?”

When she opened her mouth to speak, the soothing, honeyed tones of her words caused a hush to fall over the assembly. None could resist a longing to do her bidding. The master of seduction had honed her talents for innumerable years; every inflection was music to the ears, every movement a graceful dance.

“Creator of All, I deny nothing.”

A shocked silence followed as the creature continued.

“The fault for this evil lies with me, so should their curse of death be mine. Long have I served one whose promises wrapped me in cords of slavery. Long have I believed he loved me. I obeyed his every command, eager to bring ruin to Your kingdom. But I have been deceived. Today I finally understand his treachery. He can love only himself. I come before you, Maker of all that is good, throwing myself on Your mercy.”

And then, accompanied by gasps, she bent her astounding frame until she was prostrate, her beautiful face and proud eyes pressed to the ground at Adonai’s feet.

Adonai knelt until His head was beside hers, “Dear one, this day you have displayed the greatest faith. You have known nothing but deception and hatred but you have come, without any claim of your own goodness, to seek mercy. You believe the truth as soon as it is before you. Your requests are heard and fulfilled.”

When she lifted her head, a tremendous transformation had occurred. Gone was the pride and studied seduction. In its place were eyes that shone with love for the One who knelt with her.

“I know I can never repair the wrong I have caused, but I am Yours, completely and forever.”

“Are you ready to trust Me, even though the road ahead will be harsh?”

“Anything,” she stated simply, and then awaited her sentence with eyes that held His with a boldness born of adoration.

“Are you willing to relinquish the very thing that lifted you beyond your intended station?”

“I fear its release, but it galls me. Long has this body warred within, torturing me even in my slumber.”

“Are you willing, you who have ruled, to lay aside your glory and exist for an age as one accursed, one who hides in fear from the realm of humans?”

“Yes, only please allow me and my descendants to be found blameless at the end of that age.”

“Because you offer yourself willingly, your descendants will not be cut off. Your flesh will no longer be in turmoil. I will this day heal you of your corruption. However, you will no longer walk, but will move in the dust of the ground. Mankind will despise you, believing you to be cursed even though you accept the brunt of their shame. A natural enmity will exist between your seed and the seed of the woman but you will not be left defenseless because man’s fear will be your shield. You will be the very symbol of those accursed and rejected but you will also represent the healing of all mankind.

“Know this dear one, I will be with you in your shame. I too choose to lay aside my glory and submit to mankind’s contempt. I too am lifted up as the curse that heals their flesh—and yours. Do not despair. You will never be parted from Me and at the end of this age your sacrifice will be made known.”

“Then my sentence is far too kind, for to be cast from Your presence for all eternity would be just.”

Those were the last words she ever spoke. The transformation was so smooth and seamless, each in attendance wondered at first if their eyes were simply dazzled, but they watched as the shapely legs receded into the long sinuous body, the wings shriveled and her size diminished until she was merely a large—albeit beautiful—snake lying before her Maker Who reached a hand toward her. Hesitantly, she arched her strong body and began to wrap around His arm. And there she rested a moment, storing up His warmth. Then Adonai lifted her high and all the assembly stared, struck dumb by the boundless trust and severe mercy displayed before them.

Their parting was painful to behold. As she moved slowly down his arm, Adonai’s tears flowed, both anointing her body and preparing her path at His feet.

The humans’ shame consumed them. This creature, carefully bred and groomed by Lucifer’s hand, had proven that her faith actually outstripped theirs. The thought of being reduced to a dumb animal that would slide through dust for the rest of its days terrified them. Glory wondered, if the serpent’s faith and bravery were rewarded thus, perhaps something worse awaited them? As the snake’s length slid by, the girl recoiled as if the curse would rub off on her. The snake, in reaction to her sudden movement, drew back sharply and held her gaze, forked tongue tasting her fear, unblinking eyes reading her revulsion.

“Go your way, child,” Adonai’s voice soothed the snake.

“Seek the hidden places. In the quiet you will find rest.”

The snake relaxed her stance and resumed her newfound mode of travel, the unexpected, graceful, side-to-side movement, already a miracle to behold.

The wide, horrified eyes of the man and woman followed her progress. They moved closer together and clasped hands.

“Woman,” Adonai’s eyes were boring into her soul, “because you chose to hearken to the serpent’s lies and thus took Lucifer’s fruit unto your loins, the joy of motherhood will bring deep pain. Also, your union with Adam, intended to comfort and fulfill, will bring great turmoil to your heart.”

Glory simply nodded her head, her eyes never leaving the ground at her feet.

“Adam, since you hearkened to the woman and joined her sin, your life of ease is over. Providing sustenance and protection for your family will be a grievous and time-consuming effort. Your days will be spent struggling against the thorns now planted among your offspring, and, at the end of your days, your bodies will die, once more becoming one with the earth from which they came.”

There, before Adonai’s purity, Adam and Glory wept.

Rapha, still bonded to their emotions, had reason, even in that horrible moment, to be proud of his protégés. What was torturing their hearts was not their sentence of hard work and future conflict but the grief in Adonai’s voice. They knew they had caused that pain. All that they had endured—their shame and torture at Lucifer’s hands, the animals’ mutilation, and their own desecration—paled in the light of the suffering they had caused Him.

Adonai spoke again, words that seemed increasingly painful for Him to utter.

“These things are only the natural outgrowth of your sin. Nothing will atone for it but death. However, you shall not be the One to pay that price. I have decreed that through you the whole Earth shall be restored. That restoration will include you as well. Until that day, you shall look ahead to your hope. Until that day when My Holy One shall spill His life’s blood in your stead, a grievous but necessary practice must be employed to fulfill the requirement of blood, or you will indeed be subject to the evil one.”

Once more their Maker knelt. As if on cue, a young lamb trotted forth and leapt into His arms. The girl gave a soft cry of recognition, realizing this was Grace, the lamb she had held at the beginning of this horrific day. With heartrending tenderness, Adonai held the animal close, burying His face in the lush, white wool. Tears rolled down His cheeks and dripped to disappear into that snowy softness. “A volunteer among the animals offers its life to ensure the humans will fulfill their calling.” The words caught in His throat and the lamb gave one bleat before He continued, a bittersweet smile illuminating His features as He gazed into its eyes. “There is no greater love than that displayed by this innocent one giving his life for the life of a friend. He will forever be aligned with My own life’s blood, pledged to cleanse all creation.”

A shudder ran through the entire assembly as a haughty voice broke the holy moment and Lucifer appeared, his perfect visage marred by angry blue welts that traced an intricate pattern over every inch of his golden skin. “How touching! Adonai and His pets have gathered to congratulate me!”

“Samael,” Adonai addressed Lucifer by his ancient name. “Where have you come from and what have you been doing?”

“Oh Most Exalted One,” his voice dripped razor-edged sarcasm, “while I always enjoy our conversations, today I am in a bit of a hurry, so I’d appreciate just getting down to it. Ruling the world is so time-consuming. I am here to claim my prize… es.” He surveyed the young man and woman with eager malice.

“Then today is your day indeed, because your prize is the goal for which you have aimed for many ages past. In place of the humans, I give you—Myself. In Adam’s line shall come one who is born of my Holy Spirit. I shall live in him, fully God and fully man. He will offer his life for the lives of mankind. He will willingly lay aside his authority and die at your hands.”

Lucifer paused, contemplating this unbelievable offer as a gasp resounded from those assembled. “If You were anyone else, I would accuse You of lying but… You can’t do that… can You?

“Let me get this straight,” he reiterated. “You will place in this man’s progeny one who will be—You—in the flesh, and You will allow me to destroy this ‘Son of Man,’ thus claiming my right to Your blood?”

“Yes.”

“And in the meantime, I have the right to move things along on Earth the way I see fit?”

“Yes.”

“Well! This sounds like fun—for me.”

“But, the man and woman and all their descendants who bring themselves under the protection of my promised blood YOU WILL NOT TOUCH.”

Lucifer flinched ever so slightly before those blazing, holy eyes. “Agreed, especially since a lion’s share of those descendants will be mine,” he smiled possessively at the young woman. “And, as is Your habit, they will have free choice of their allegiance.”

Glory shuddered and lifted exhausted eyes to her Maker who regarded her with compassion.

“I will be with you,” He whispered.

“Yes, yes, that is sweet, but we need to bind this contract,” Lucifer’s harsh voice broke the moment. “I cannot have their blood and you don’t have earthly blood yet so how are we to satisfy my terms today because—I demand blood. Now!”

Wordlessly, Adonai handed the lamb to Lucifer. It did not struggle when placed into the evil one’s grasp. Lucifer laughed. “Do you truly expect them to cower behind the blood of a mere animal?”

“Their sins are conferred onto the head of this innocent victim and My Spirit binds with that accursed flesh. The knife is plunged into My heart. In this way, you will have the pleasure of spilling My blood repeatedly until the Son of Man becomes that sacrifice.”

Lucifer’s scarred features lit with giddy joy at the power of causing Adonai pain. He wasted no more time but turned toward the assembly, the silent lamb held over his head as he savored this moment of triumph he would enjoy over and over throughout the age to come.

“I accept Adonai’s terms—His life for the life of the humans. This innocent blood is mine! The Earth is mine to command! This age belongs to me!”

He brought the lamb down and looked at it with disdain. Finally the animal struggled as its pure body joined to sin. Desperately it craned its neck, trying to see its Maker, but Adonai had turned away. With one swift movement, Lucifer brought the lamb’s neck to his mouth—and bit. Glory cried out, appalled Adonai did not intervene. But her Maker was doubled over, grief and pain etching his face while Lucifer ripped and tore the flesh of the tiny creature, reveling in the fact that all creation stared in horror. In a matter of seconds the lamb, drained of life, was tossed to the ground, reduced to mere skin and bone, while Lucifer stood proudly displaying his blood-drenched face… but his moment of triumph was cut short.

“Be gone! The innocent blood staining you fulfills the human’s debt. Your claim on their flesh is broken.”

But Lucifer stepped toward the couple. Adonai remained bent with agony so the fallen angel seized the opportunity for one last intimidation. “It has been a pleasure, lovely one,” he towered over Glory. “Just think. We are one. What grows in you—is mine.” He reached out a blood-soaked hand and touched her stomach.

But Glory’s eyes stared with new boldness into his. “Your price of blood has been paid. You have no right to me.”

A familiar burning sizzled his skin and the lamb’s blood burst into flame, searing his blood-soaked chest, face and arms. With a scream Lucifer reeled backwards into the crowd while animals and celestial beings leapt out of his path. As he moved away, the flames slowly subsided. When he reached the tree line, the fire was quenched but fresh wounds remained; the skin hanging from his face and torso resembled tattered parchment. He pointed a scorched finger at the Most High. “That lamb’s blood covers them with—YOU!”

Adam leapt toward Lucifer. “Yes! So please stand still. I would like to see that fire again.”

But the fallen angel disappeared, leaving behind only the stench of charred flesh.

However, the horror of his handiwork remained. The girl was already on her knees with the remains of Grace clutched to her chest, oblivious to the blood that now soaked her garments. “This little one’s death was my fault. It should be my blood staining these stones, not his!” Heart-wrenching sobs tore from her breast as she rocked back and forth with the lamb’s ravaged body.

“Yes, dear one. This is death. This is what you and the man have loosed upon creation. But the grief you feel is penitence--unselfish, and restorative. Receive it as a gift from My hand, evidence of your redemption. Guard your unity with me, always remembering the price paid, the selflessness that represents My blood.”

Adam was bent over Glory, reaching toward her with unsure hands. He too was crushed by failure. He had failed as her protector. He had failed as steward of the animals. Glancing up through unshed tears he observed the lions stalking away. In fact, a mass exodus was now taking place. It appeared all the species had chosen to look after themselves. Birds, reptiles, primates, amphibians—all were moving away. How could he blame them? He had betrayed their trust and ushered bloodshed into the garden. In truth, there was a longing in his heart to join them, to just leave this hotbed of responsibility and commitment, to roam free in the world, free to look only after himself, free of Lucifer’s threats, free from seeing the constant reminder of his failure every day in her beautiful face.

But wait. Not all were leaving. Close by he beheld a sight that finally brought tears. The sheep, those who had just beheld the death of their own, remained, their peaceful eyes convicting him for his thoughts of escape.

“They will remain with those who honor the blood of their first martyr.” Adonai declared. “They commit themselves to the day mankind is restored as ruler of all creation. Until then, you will need their blood to renew the protection against Lucifer’s claim.”

A growling and yapping drew his attention; a pair of dogs were at odds about their loyalties, the female moving closer to the humans while the male nipped at her, encouraging her to follow the retreating crowd. Finally, she turned, bared dangerous teeth and bit his ear. When he howled in pain she released him, and trotted to Adam where the tawny creature sat regally at the man’s feet to survey the sad procession.

When Adam placed a hand on her shaggy head, she gave him an adoring look, her tongue lolling from the side of her panting mouth.

“Why does she choose to remain?” Adam asked.

“To put it simply, she likes you,” Adonai answered. “And she dislikes Lucifer so much she is willing to stand with anyone opposed to him. If only all could understand life’s choices so clearly.”

When she actually sighed and leaned against Adam’s leg, content in her choice, Adam stroked her head and wept. “I will call you Eden, in remembrance of the paradise that once was.”

“Come, dear one, the day’s work is not yet done.”

An angel stepped forward to present a knife that appeared to be wrought of blazing light. Adonai lifted it high and announced, “Through death, this body is returned to righteousness and is pure in My hands. I sever the skin from the bone just as one day I will forever sever the connection between you and the evil one.” The knife flashed with precision to remove the precious lamb’s skin. The girl began sobbing again as she beheld the ghastly process. Blessedly, it was over quickly and the bones were given to the angel who had presented the knife.

“These bones will remain in the midst of the garden, covered with the soil where the lamb’s blood was shed, an everlasting witness to his sacrifice.

“What he has done will continue to provide for you in a sun-scorched land. His skin will cover your shame, his wool will keep you warm and the oil therein will both soothe and heal. This covering will serve as a constant reminder to you and your enemies that you dwell under the protection of My covenant.”

As He worked, the heat from His hand tempered the hide. Soon, it was soft, supple and dry. Adonai wove and shaped beautiful garments to cover the man and woman, including sturdy protection for their feet. There was no shortage even though the generous garments covered all but their faces. In the Maker’s hands, the small lamb’s sacrifice became more than enough.

Only yesterday, the light of His holiness shielded their bodies. The synchronicity with their Maker had been disrupted yet Adonai had ensured they were beautifully and sufficiently clothed for the next phase of that painful day.

“Children, give me your hands.”

Trembling with fear, the humans reached toward their Maker. Did their sin, after all, require the sacrifice of a limb?

“You are husband and wife. You are one flesh—one in body, mind, and spirit. Cleave to each other. Comfort one another. From this day forth your allegiance is first to Me but then, before all earthly ties, you are sworn to each other. To protect the integrity of this joining is to protect your own flesh. Choose to sow life in every word, every thought, every action, and this union will bring blessing, healing, strength, and joy throughout the years to come. Choose to rip at the fabric of this union and you destroy your own heart.

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Then Adonai addressed the young woman. “From this day forth, you are named Eve, because you will be called the mother of all humanity. With this great honor comes the tremendous responsibility to teach your offspring My ways; tell them that I nurture and protect, that My love will remain steadfast even when they choose evil, that My heart never stops yearning for my children even when they want to hide from Me. Teach them that even when they choose the hard road of discipline, I long to hold them close and absorb their pain. Their joys shall be your joy, their pains shall pierce your heart. But, as you abide in Me, the strength for this task will flow, and you too will gain understanding of My love.”

Then He turned to Adam. “You are the first they will call ‘father.’ You are the first they will see as strong. As you defend their lives and work to provide their needs, may you commit yourself to the more important task of defending their hearts. Through you they will learn faithfulness, fearlessness, and the true meekness of honoring their heavenly Father above and before all else. Through you they will see the balance of strength that readily bows to holiness. Through you they will see themselves as worthy of My love. Nurture them. Rejoice over them. Be ready with encouragement and slow to anger. In this way they will learn self-control. As you remain grafted in Me, My virtues will overflow to your children.”

Thus Rapha witnessed the long-awaited ceremony unifying the young woman and Adam, so different from the joyous occasion he had envisioned. But the day was not yet done. The man and woman could no longer dwell in the atmosphere of Adonai’s holiness.

As their young, shattered minds were still trying to absorb these precepts, Adonai spoke words that further pierced their hearts. “From this day forth I will not be seen by you. No longer will we enjoy the unhindered relationship of our days in this blessed place. As long as you remain encased in earthly flesh, your desire for the fullness of My presence cannot be completely fulfilled. Allow this hunger and longing to drive you to seek Me. This ongoing struggle will strengthen you to stand firm in evil days. So you will thrive when all around you is swallowed in death.”

As those final words hung in the air, Adam and his mate faded from Rapha’s sight. He could no longer see them but he felt their confusion when they realized their eyes no longer beheld Adonai. Where Adonai had been remained the large red orb of a sun that slipped behind the horizon as they stood, hands clasped, hearts sore with shock and grief. Finally, in the deepening twilight, they gazed at the unfamiliar copse of trees that surrounded them. Wordlessly they sat, huddled together, hearts too heavy to move, until they finally nodded off in exhaustion. When the moon was high in the sky, its silver light peeked between protective branches to behold the man and woman, arms wrapped tightly around one another as their minds wandered into sweet dreams of their Garden of Eden and the bliss their world would never know again.