It's been a while since I've posted a story, but here's a new one I wrote! Enjoy!
The air carried the scent of dead trees, all withered and cracking because of the lack of rain. Rain pelted the man’s head as he ran, panting for breath. The words from Queen Jezebel were still ingrained in the back of his head as he ran through the wilderness out of pure terror, tripping over the straps of his sandals.
“May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely,” the messenger had said, speaking for the Queen. “If by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Thoughts entered his mind, thoughts of being captured by the insane Queen and King and having the same fate as those who went before him. He didn’t understand why the people would not just listen, just listen to their prophets for once. The sky was dark with clouds full of water, something everyone would appreciate again after more than three years without precipitation. Sweat poured down the sides of his face- quickly washed away by the heavy rain- as he hurried deeper, deeper into the forest.
The man got to a juniper tree where he fell to his knees, his heart pounding in his chest like an offbeat drum. He could not do this. He could not live this life where he was constantly pursued and fearing for his life and where no one headed his words. He looked up at the sky through the leaves of the tree, droplet after droplet falling on his face. He lifted his hands to heaven and prayed.
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said out loud, his voice clear. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. He was not sure for how long he was sleeping before he felt something touch him. He woke with a start, anticipating one of the Queen’s warriors who was there to kill him. Instead, what he saw was something different. He saw a being of light. That is the only way to describe it. Someone stood before him, consumed with light, blocking out the rest of the forest. An angel, he thought. He’d heard stories of angels before, he knew one of his ancestors had wrestled with one. But never had the chance to see one himself. The angel spoke before the man could say anything.
“Get up and eat.”
When he looked to his right, he saw, on the grass, bread that was being baked over what looked like hot coals. The bread was a golden-brown, with a crispy top. Next to it was a clay jar, and when he came closer to examine it he saw that inside was water. When he looked back up the angel was gone.
The rain was still going but it had become less strong. He leaned against the trunk of the tree. He took the bread and the jar in his hands and again looked up at the sky. The clouds weren’t as close-knit together as before, they were parting slightly. The sky was still dark, but the sun was peeking through a few of the clouds. He blessed his food and water before laying down to sleep again.
The man awoke to the same being of light, touching his shoulder.
“Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
The man saw the same meal as before, and obeyed the angel. The rain had slowed down and only a few drops fell here and there. The forest was damp and smelled of wet wood. He saw little green blades of grass peeking through the previously-barren soil. He decided that once he finished eating he would journey to Mount Horeb. He watched as the sun set slowly over the horizon, thinking about how the bread in his hands was proof that there was a real, living God who protected and cared for His people.
Based off of 1 Kings 19:1-8 |
Credits:
- Image: Pinterest