Sons of Zadok: Remnant Rescue, #0

By Michael Vetter

Sons of Zadok—Prequel to the Remnant Rescue Series is the story of a fictional brotherhood of Israelites (male descendants of Kohath from the tribe of Levi) who have sworn to guard the sacred Ark of the Covenant with their lives. In 944 B.C., Zadok, the High Priest of Israel, commissions loyal followers to build an intricate mechanism deep under King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem to protect the Ark from harm. They fulfill their sacred duty for over 400 years, during which time civil wars, ungodly kings, corrupt priests, national apostasy, and invasions from Syria, Assyria, and Egypt destroy the nation's long history of faithfulness to their One True God. The Ark of the Covenant will remain hidden until Israel repents and turns back to the LORD.

In 586 B.C., a massive Babylonian army is poised at Jerusalem's gates intent on leveling the fortress-city and King Solomon's Temple to their foundations. With no salvation in sight, the last Kohathites remove the Ark from its hiding place and carry it to a distant land for safekeeping. It will remain there until the Temple is rebuilt, Israelites regather from exile, and Messiah comes to establish His Kingdom.

Sons of Zadok is the fictional background to Remnant Rescue—The Tapez Scroll | Book 1 in the Remnant Rescue series which is a modern-day thriller trilogy that takes place in a future seven-year period that the Bible calls the Tribulation, during which time God pours out His divine judgment on planet Earth and Satan wracks havoc in the Antichrist whom the world knows as Constantine, Prince of Rome. The Antichrist will demand that every human being on the planet worship him and his image in a rebuilt Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Anticipating the coming holocaust that the Bible calls the Great Tribulation, or the Time of Jacob's Trouble, a brave group of Christians dare to risk their lives to rescue a remnant of Jews who look forward to their coming Messiah and His Kingdom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Vetter
• Release date: Oct 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540166579

Michael Vetter

Michael Vetter is a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer with degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UMass Lowell and Ocean Engineering from MIT. The Tapez Scroll—Remnant Rescue Series | Book 1 is his fifth book of fictional adventure that melds speculative technologies with Biblical themes. Michael and his wife Mary live in Salem, New Hampshire. Contact him at [e-mail]

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Prologue

City of Jerusalem

944 B.C.

Zadok, the High Priest of Israel, walked on Jerusalem’s dark streets of packed dirt and paving stones that led from his house to Solomon’s Temple to oversee preparations for the sunrise sacrifices. His small lantern lit the ground a few feet in front of him; it was just enough illumination to avoid the pools of filth and piles of refuse that littered his way. He shook his head in disappointment at how Israel had declined from its zenith under King David and the first years of King Solomon. The spiritual exhilaration when King Solomon dedicated the Temple was a memory that had begun to tarnish. The City of David was still the precious gem of Israel, but for how long?

Zadok served with Abiathar in the old Tabernacle tent when David moved the Ark of God to Jerusalem. On David’s deathbed, Zadok and Nathan anointed his son Solomon to take his father’s place on the throne of Israel. Not long afterwards, Solomon made Zadok the High Priest and deposed Abiathar for supporting Adonijah in his rebellion against David. Solomon built the magnificent Temple structure with such zeal and devotion that everyone expected him to continue the glorious Davidic dynasty as God promised. The king had been taught the Scriptures since he was a youngster and he knew the Law of Moses by heart. He never missed the morning and evening sacrifices when he was in residence at the palace; he was a central figure at all the national feast days; he stood beside Zadok when the High Priest wore the ephod and petitioned divine guidance from the Urim and Thummim stones in the priest’s breastplate.

The inauguration of Solomon’s Temple—Zadok thought it should be called David’s Temple—three years ago was an event more glorious than anyone could have imagined. It was the greatest day of Zadok’s life to watch eight Kohathites carry the Ark of the Covenant from the temporary tent through the Temple’s Lower Gate and Outer Court, up the fifteen semicircular steps through the Nicanor Gate into the Inner Court where it rested between the altar and the entrance to the Holy Place while sacrifices were offered for the king, the nation, and the people. It was Zadok’s great privilege as the High Priest to see the Ark carried into the Holy Place and through the veil into the Most Holy Place where the eight faithful servants gently set it in the middle of what was arguably the most ornate room in the kingdom, if not in the world. When the Ark’s carriers removed the staves and closed the veil across the entrance, they left him alone with the Ark in the room lit only by windows near the ceiling. He removed the intricately woven covering to expose the golden Ark itself in all its magnificence. The chest-like base was slightly dented and the carrying rings were loose after hundreds of years of movement around the Sinai desert and Israel’s many places of worship. Still, the winged cherubim, with their heads bowed in worship over the solid gold kapporeth, or mercy seat, reflected indirect light with such a glow that they appeared to be living beings. The mercy seat, stained with centuries of blood for Israel’s annual rite of atonement, literally took his breath away. Zadok would return here again many times on the Day of Atonement with the blood of covering. For now, he paused to savor this once-in-a-lifetime moment. It was all he could do to tear himself away and walk out into the Holy Place to continue the inauguration celebrations.

As if being inches away from the Ark of the Covenant were not thrilling enough, Zadok and the assembled multitudes witnessed a stunning miracle when the procession of priests left the Holy Place and stood as a group in the Inner Court. A divine cloud—the Shekinah of God—materialized in the Most Holy Place and swept through the dividing veil and the Holy Place to fill the Inner Court with such powerful, swirling intensity that the priests, singers, and assembled congregation had to move to the Outer Court and eventually into the Court of the Gentiles to avoid being engulfed in its divine glory. Asaph’s choir sang praises of his own composition to God. The cloud of the Glorious Presence hovered for hours over the Temple and the city in the clear blue sky. King Solomon then offered a memorable prayer of praise to God before he blessed the congregation of Israel. By the time of the evening sacrifice, God’s visible Presence in Israel returned to the Most Holy Place where it still resided. In light of recent events, Zadok wondered how long would it remain there.

Yes, that day in the Temple had been the best day of Zadok’s life. Three years later, riots in the streets and even in the Temple itself were the source of daily distress. He was the High Priest of Israel but something was wrong in the nation. With each morning sacrifice he wondered what would happen to the nation and his beloved Temple if this chaos continued.

Part I

Rise and Fall of Israel

King Solomon

970 - 930 B.C.

Chapter 1

City of Jerusalem, Zadok’s private residence

944 B.C.

It was Zadok’s practice to study the Scriptures every afternoon after his midday meal in preparation for the evening sacrifice service and to make sure that his heart was right before God when it was time to enter the Holy Place for prayers. He heard distant shouts through his open window from a crowd in the Temple district. He tried not to let the noise interrupt his devotion to God’s Word. The thick limestone walls of his home surrounded an inner courtyard that directed most of the city’s sounds away from his study room. Still, when thousands of Israelites chanted at the Temple, and a riot broke out, the tumult was impossible to ignore. This time, the noise was louder and voices sounded angrier than usual. He knew that a guard would eventually come with news of what was happening, so he searched for a formal vestment while he waited for the courier or delegation of scribes. They would expect him to do something about this latest riot.

Zadok’s formal attire and long white beard distinguished him as an elderly Levitical priest. He was always impeccably groomed to honor his position. Twenty or thirty years ago, in the prime of his priestly career, he strode tall and energetically participated in daily Temple rituals. Now, in his sixtieth year, he walked more slowly and with a slight stoop. He tired easily and shared his priestly duties with his son and other priests from time to time.

He donned a thick purple vestment over his casual clothing expecting he would have to walk to the western Upper Gate and his Temple office. He sat back at his desk and closed his eyes determined to calm his mind and heart by meditating on a psalm of David.

"I will extol You, my God, O King;

And I will bless Your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless You,

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

And His greatness is unsearchable."

A winter chill—both meteorological and spiritual—had recently settled over the city. What would the riot be about this time? A fight among vendors vying for the choicest locations outside the gates? Someone caught trying to steal a ‘souvenir’ stone from the Temple wall? An argument over someone’s place in line who’d waited hours for a glimpse into the Holy Place through the narrow doors? Since the Temple was completed it had been mobbed every day from dawn to dusk by visitors from around the nation and the world. Visitors to the grand edifice were encouraged by the great wealth and power of Israel. Not all visitors were there for spiritual reasons. Many gawked at the gleaming gold walls and ceilings, the rich wood carvings, the world’s largest cast brass columns and water cistern, and the brilliant blue and purple tapestries. Pious Israelites brought sacrifices into the Court of Sacrifice with its polished laver and giant brass altar that burned their sacrifices night and day. Unfortunately, for many in Israel, Solomon’s new Temple had become a national amusement park rather than a place to worship Almighty God.

Zadok didn’t have to wait much longer before a heavy fist pounded on his door.

Come in! he shouted.

A guard, dressed in a stylish uniform and carrying his ceremonial lance, entered Zadok’s study. His rapid breathing caused his voice to crack. He appeared to be fit enough, but his fatigue meant that he had raced to the High Priest’s residence as fast as he could.

Calm yourself, soldier. Nothing can be so important that it can’t wait a minute for you to catch your breath. The man’s eyes widened at that statement hinting that he thought it was more important than Zadok realized.

Stomping sounds and shouts from downstairs indicated that more people were on their way to see him.

The temple guard was ready to speak when two Levite scribes, both overweight with faces flush from exertion, leaned against the doorway and waited to be invited in.

Men, sit down over there and you can tell me your story when you recover. Zadok knew they were his Levitical scribes but for the life of him he couldn’t recall their names. He relied on others to keep track of the schedule for the daily priestly and monthly scribal courses.

Now, Zadok said calmly to the temple guard, tell me what is so important that you ran all the way here.

It’s the Firebrands again, sir. One of them barged into the Temple area through the Water Gate reserved for anointed priests and walked into the Inner Court.

The self-described Firebrands were progressively minded Levites, most not yet 30 years old, who were looked down on by the older priests and scribes for their arrogant and impulsive behavior. Their exuberance sometimes sparked turmoil among anointed priests in the Temple. They put unceasing pressure on the High Priest and Council of Elders to reform the priesthood and Temple ordinances with new, often radical, ideas about worship.

The infraction this time seemed a minor issue that hardly warranted such an urgent response. Zadok tried to put the matter in perspective. They entered through the Water Gate at the Temple dedication and once or twice since then, with my permission of course. If they wished to do so for a time of prayer or a special sacrifice, that is commendable. Nonetheless, I’ll speak to them about it later.

That’s not all, sir. They tried to enter the Holy Place.

Now that was something unprecedented even for the young, inexperienced Levites. They are forbidden to enter there, of course. That area is only for anointed priests assigned to the daily course. The younger Levites are not yet of age and have not been anointed. Still, I’ll speak with them to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I’m sure it was some sort of misunderstanding.

It was no misunderstanding, High Priest. The older of the two scribes had finally caught his breath but his face was still flush with agitation.

I’m sorry, but I’ve forgotten your names…

I am Ahiah and this is my brother Elihoreph. We are sons of Shisha and scribes in this month’s teaching course. Ahiah and his brother bowed deeply to Zadok. Sir, with all respect to you, the Firebrands have committed a most serious transgression against God.

Like I said, I’ll speak to them about it later. Zadok suspected that the infraction was being blown out of proportion.

Not only did they try to enter the Holy Place, but they were accompanied by a Gentile woman. Had the doorkeeper not barred the door and blocked entry with his very life, a much worse violation might have happened.

Zadok felt a tightness in his chest. His frail hands gripped the edge of his desk for support. He could not believe that a Levite, even a youngster, would attempt to bring a Gentile woman into the Inner Court! This went against clear teaching in the Law of Moses and, in spite of their inexperience, every Levite knew it. What were they thinking?

I wish to hear this firsthand from the doorkeeper involved. Is he still there? Zadok asked.

Yes. He’s in protective custody…

Protective custody? Who is he being protected from? Did the crowd try to harm him?

To protect him from the Firebrand leader’s wrath, I’m afraid… The Temple guard hung his head in embarrassment.

Come! Zadok motioned for his visitors to follow him as he hurried out the door.

Chapter 2

Streets of Jerusalem

944 B.C.

Now he regretted hurrying out of his house as fast as he did—he was already tired by the time he descended the stairs and stepped into the crowded street. The guard accompanied him and the two scribes tried to keep up. Unlike his walk alone through the empty streets that morning in pre-dawn darkness, now he had to avoid children playing, animals pulling carts, and vendors setting up tables. A shortcut through an alleyway in the densely packed neighborhood presented obstacles of hanging laundry that dripped down on him and housewives gathered in doorways to chat or yell to one another from second story windows. The alleyway noise and household smells were left behind when Zadok and his guard broke out onto the wide, paved avenue that ringed the perimeter of the Temple.

The priest paused momentarily in the street to wonder how much the city and the nation had changed in the few years since the dwelling place of God’s Presence was dedicated by King Solomon. A half-dozen temple guards joined Zadok on the perimeter street and shoved the pressing crowd aside in front of him until he reached the first gate into the Court of the Gentiles. He ignored the crowd’s questions and screams of outrage; some of the men had torn their clothes and thrown dust into the air as a sign of grief. At least they weren’t throwing rocks at him like they did when he had fruit vendors ejected from the Temple forcing them to ply their wares in the city public streets. It seemed as if he spent most of his time settling disputes or quelling riots.

Zadok had to focus on the problem at hand and, for now at least, put off thinking about the nation’s broader spiritual decline. Once inside the Inner Court, he took a stairway up to his private chambers where he could think more clearly away from the noisy confusion. His guards waited outside to keep unwanted visitors away.

Solomon’s Temple, High Priest’s chambers

Still thinking that there must be some sort of misunderstanding or exaggeration of the severity of the problem, Zadok attempted to calm those around him.

Ah, I’m glad you’re here, Zadok said when he opened the door and noticed two other men in the room. Besides his son, Ahimaaz, his old friend, Nathan, the prophet sat close to the fireplace for warmth. He made a straight line for a comfortable pile of cushions to join him near the fire. He felt fatigued after the walk and wondered if it was just old age or something more serious. That too was a thought best put out of his mind for now. He settled onto the cushions with a groan.

Let’s get to the bottom of this once and for all, he began. He looked to his son, Ahimaaz, to begin. It was he who sent the guard with news of the transgression. Both Nathan and Ahimaaz looked concern but neither was angry or agitated.

The ancient prophet’s face grimaced with pain whenever he moved in the straight chair that provided support for his back. A thin ring of white hair surrounded his temples and his beard was neatly trimmed. Unlike the so-called country prophets who came to Jerusalem from the wilderness disheveled and coarsely dressed to speak words from the God of Israel, Nathan was a prophet to kings and did not live an ascetic life. Now, beyond his eightieth year in age, his frail voice was difficult to hear but his eyes still sparkled with clarity.

Ahimaaz was a younger version of his father with a thin face, shadow-rimmed eyes, a tall, erect stature, and broad shoulders. He stood by the window with his arms crossed. Even Zadok could not read the stoic look on his son’s face. Zadok and Nathan looked at each other to see who would speak first. Nathan cleared his throat.

You hear that the people outside were close to causing destruction in the Temple. They’ve calmed down since it all started. Your son and I discussed calling a full contingent of guards to clear the Outer Court and Court of the Gentiles. We thought they should force everyone to disperse to keep outside troublemakers away, at least until tomorrow morning. Also, the doorkeeper who saw everything firsthand is waiting outside to tell you exactly what happened.

Agreeing with Nathan’s first suggestion, Zadok called for the guard who stood outside the door: Instruct the captain of the Temple guards to clear everyone from the Great Court immediately. Those worshippers who are already in line with their sacrifices may stay or may be readmitted for the evening sacrifice. I don’t want any idlers, Gentiles, or sightseers on the Temple grounds. After the evening sacrifice, I want the area vacated and every gate locked for the night until sunrise. What happened today is shameful and unacceptable! It will not be tolerated as long as I am the High Priest of Israel! Zadok had to bring his emotions under control, especially to interview the doorkeeper.

When Ahimaaz left to bring in the doorkeeper, Nathan offered a final bit of advice: The doorkeeper is a dutiful young man but new at his job. His supervisor, an experienced chamberlain, will accompany him since the youngster might be intimidated by the High Priest. You remember what it was like, don’t you? When you were barely twenty years old you thought the High Priest was like Moses himself. You were terrified that he’d accuse you of doing something unlawful and strike you dead. You will do your best to put him at ease, won’t you my friend?

The High Priest smiled at the pale, nearly bald prophet with dancing blue eyes whose hands leaned on his staff even as he sat in the chair. Nathan, you are my closest friend and best adviser. You didn’t flinch to point out King David’s sin, so how could you possibly know how it feels for a young doorkeeper to stand before a High Priest? How do you think people feel when Israel’s prophet to the kings speaks to them?

Nathan relished Zadok’s playful remark and admitted that the friendly jab was deserved. True, but I do remember what it was like to be young. I hope you haven’t forgotten, either.

Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on him.

***

A guard pounded on the door and admitted two men into the room. Ahimaaz followed and closed the door behind