Parables of the Bible: The Serpent
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: God wrote the Bible. I only own a copy of it.
Chavah
Chavah opened her eyes and winced at the sudden flood of light. I am so not a morning person.
"It's actually about mid-afternoon," a masculine voice replied. "And yes, I can read your thoughts. You are, after all, one of My creations."
Rolling over, the woman sat up and slowly opened her eyes. "Is the light always so bright?" she asked.
"Not always, unless you stare into its heart. Though, I wouldn't recommend you doing that," the voice replied. The blinding light adjusted itself to a more bearable level.
The woman now stood to her feet and fell down just as quickly. She stared around and was extremely puzzled when she couldn't find the speaker anywhere. "Who are You? And where did You go?"
"Why do you ask My name? (1) Come," a hand gently took hers, leading her, gently guiding her.
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. (2)
(In a very far corner of the Garden)
Joel whimpered as his master berated him for being caught by the Son.
"YOU DO NOT CHALLENGE THE CREATOR!" Satan bellowed at the lower demon.
Thana inspected her nails. "Perhaps," she purred, "he found out something useful?"
Satan narrowed his eyes, grabbed a fistful of the demon's hair, and yanked his head up. "Well, Joel, what "useful" information did you find out?" He released the demon's hair and threw him backwards.
Joel winced in pain. "The LORD, sir. He placed two trees in the Garden. I think they are supposed to be some sort of test for the man. He also took a bone from the man's side and closed it up with flesh."
"Ouch!" Belial muttered. "The poor man."
Joel shook his head. "No, it didn't hurt him. He was knocked out. I didn't get to see what He was making."
Belial smirked. "More's the pity."
"But I did," a female's voice crooned.
"Lilly!" Thana cried, running to hug her sister. "I thought you stayed with the Host."
"Lucy's more fun than the stuffed-up Host," Lillith (3) answered, returning her sister's embrace.
Satan, bemused, just chuckled. "Lilly, darling, there's been a name change. I'm Satan, the Adversary, now."
Joel scowled. "So what did you hear that I missed, wench?" he said, through gritted teeth.
Thana glared at him. "If I may, milord?" she inquired of her master.
Satan nodded. "He's of no further use."
Thana rose to her full height. "My pleasure. Joel has had this coming." She walked over and touched his shoulder gently.
Nothing happened.
Joel snorted in derision. "What was that supposed to be?"
Thana smiled cruelly. "Wait for it."
The wind rose and slowly removed the dusty remains of the demon, formerly known as Joel.
Belial whistled through his teeth. "No wonder they call you 'Lady Death.'"
Satan nodded in agreement. "Thanatos, my dear, your sister is welcome to join us since Joel has "vacated" his position at High Council."
Lillith bowed to the Archdemon. "My pleasure, milord. The Most High has planted two trees in the garden indeed as a test for the man. The man may eat from the Tree of Life, but if he reaches out to taste of the second tree, my dear sister here will be his reward."
"Ouch," Belial repeated. "Poor man!"
Thana glared at him. "Do you mind?"
Lillith, ignoring the two, continued: "The bone He has fashioned even now breathes her first breath. A helpmate now exists for the man-a female of his kind."
"Ouch!" Belial reiterated, for the third time. "Poor man!"
"Belial!" three voices yelled at him in unison.
"Interesting," Satan murmured. "This female creature may prove useful."
(Back to the other side of Eden)
She stared at the man. "Uh, why is he like that?"
The voice remained strangely silent.
The wind stirred up a strong scent of jasmine and roses. A moment later, the man opened his eyes.
Chavah smiled. "Hello."
Adam looked at his Lord and prayed a quick prayer of thanks.
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." (4)
Chavah blushed to the roots of her hair. Apparently, part of the man clearly was pleased to see her as well.
Adam blushed as well. "Sorry," he muttered. "That's never happened before."
Moses choked as the LORD glossed over that bit of the story. "Then what happened next?" he demanded. "The woman reflected back on the earlier days and told stories to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You made the woman and brought her to the man. But what about the demons? What were they up to while this was all going on?"
The LORD muttered something along the lines of "A pessimistic pest exists amidst Us."
Moses glared up at the roof of the tent. "I can hear You!" he said, emphatically.
Tzipporah poked her head into the tent. "Is everything alright, hon? Who were you talking to, just now? I heard voices."
Moses shook his head as he shooed her back outside. "It was no one, little lamb. Just my Invisible Friend."
"Now, I definitely heard that," the Great King answered him.
Moses ignored Him and picked up where he had left off.
The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. (5)
Author's Notes:
(1) Genesis 32:28b
(2) Genesis 2:22
(3) Hebrew lore holds that Adam's first wife was named Lillith, and that she became the mother of all manner of imps and dark creatures.
(4) Genesis 2:23
(5) Genesis 2:25