Noah and the Holy Scepter: Mesha of Moab

By Luke Elliott

The Scepter shall not depart from Judah.

--Genesis 49:10

The adventure of Noah, son of Solomon, continues. A week has passed since Noah's providential discovery of the scepter of Judah, a holy relic with the capability to take this modern boy back in time to walk through biblical stories.

Fresh off the successful recovery of the first scepter jewel in ancient Jericho, Noah joins his father and the excavation crew as they continue their investigation of the buried chamber where he uncovered the relic. The primary focus for Solomon and his team is the unusual hieroglyphs adorning the chamber walls. A tumultuous Mediterranean storm interrupts their study, leaving Noah alone inside the chamber. The glyphs come to life, and a stranger's voice speaks two Hebrew words, "Lochque'bo. Litse'od." But what does it mean?

Back at camp, Noah is transferred to a time long forgotten where he meets Elisha, the prophet of God. The holy man explains Noah's next adventure, his destination--Second Kings chapter 3, a time during a divided Israel. The northern kingdom is led by King Joram, an immature and rash leader. A long-standing treaty is violated, forcing King Joram to request the help of his southern counterpart, King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Together, along with the Edomites, this unsteady alliance moves to wage war against King Mesha of Moab.

Noah is enlisted into Judah's elite fighting force, the Mighty Men, under the command of General Adnah, with the help of Thios and a new friend, along with a few heroes of the faith. Noah must locate another scepter jewel to return home.

War is upon him. An army of seven hundred thousand Moabites stands in his way. God's heavy hand forces the alliance to trust Him alone and obey or perish in the desert wasteland.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685269579

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

About the Author

cover.jpg

Noah and the Holy Scepter

Mesha of Moab

Luke Elliott

ISBN 978-1-68526-956-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68526-958-6 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-68526-957-9 (Digital)

Copyright © 2022 Luke Elliott

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

To Steve Farrar, the epitome of a Point Man.

I am truly blessed and privileged to have sat under his teaching for the better part of fifteen years. Undertones of Steve's sermons are sewn into and throughout the story of Noah and lessons in the sovereignty and providence of God.

To a life well lived.

In the life of a believer, the last breath is the best breath.

—Steve Farrar (1949–2022)

Introduction

Before we begin, I had a thought…

I am currently sitting in my office on a rainy April afternoon, wrapping up publication for my first novel, Noah and the Holy Scepter: The Walls of Jericho, and it struck me. I am a fourth of the way into Mesha of Moab, and there is a strong possibility someone has picked up this book without reading about Noah and his time in Jericho.

There must be a remedy.

A recap of sorts: Now keep in mind, I am going to give you a few of the more necessary high points. I do encourage you to read the first leg of his journey for a better grasp on what has transpired and how Noah got to where he is.

Here goes…

Noah is a curious young Texan boy on summer vacation, the last summer before middle school and his teenage years. This is an extra special summer because he is joining his father, Solomon, on an expedition to Israel. His father is a well-known biblical archeologist and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. Their mission is studying an ancient king of Judah named Josiah—i.e., the boy king.

The first day in Israel, Noah gets bored, as most video game-playing, social media-addicted kids his age are prone to do and wanders away from the dig site (with his father's permission of course). In a providential moment, he stumbles into a shallow hole. The hole leads him down a dark tunnel and into a hidden chamber. In the middle of this long-forgotten chamber stands an altar. Situated atop the altar is an artifact wrapped in burlap, covered with sand. Hearing his father and the excavation crew approach and not wanting to share his discovery, Noah hides the relic in his bag for future private examination.

Later that night, while alone in his tent, Noah is finally able to study his find. He removes an ornate, weathered iron bar the size of a small baseball bat. After a brief search in his Bible for guidance, he realizes he has discovered an ancient scepter, and not just any old scepter but one foretold in the beginning. This scepter was prophesied about in Genesis 49:10 by Jacob on his deathbed. Upon this revelation, the Scepter of Judah comes to life, turning to pure gold and bringing with it a light so bright, as if the sun were inside his tent! The powerful relic carries Noah up and away into space. Floating in the abyss, scared and alone, Noah is met by a regal man, later identified as King Josiah himself. The King escorts Noah to the great hall (a celestial meeting place between heaven and earth) and reveals to him the path he was chosen for by God.

In the magnificent great hall, King Josiah introduces Noah to his journey's companion, Thios Lypri. Thio, as Noah calls him, is a rambunctious and trustworthy guide for the path ahead. Thio gifts Noah a special medallion with miraculous powers for his journey. This medallion, which depicts a green wing, blue sword, yellow staff, and red flame divided by an orange cross, is a tool for Noah to wield as needed. King Josiah has Noah sit for a moment to discuss the scepter's path. He explains to Noah the purposeful placement of indentions situated near the top of this golden relic. Each indention was designed to hold a jewel, and each jewel is earned by completing tasks—six in total, seven if you count the setting atop the scepter.

Noah's first challenge is the famous city of Jericho, surrounded by its formidable walls, to find the first jewel, a mesmerizing emerald for the scepter.

Into a scepter-induced wormhole, the two boys go, but only Noah pops out on the other end. He falls from the sky and is nearly trampled by an ox before passing out. When he awakes, it is revealed he is amongst the traveling Hebrew caravan, the same people once led by Moses who have wandered the desert for forty years. Preparations are underway to move into the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership.

Noah is taken in by an elderly childless couple Hani and Mathius. Mathius is an Elder to the people and well respected. Noah escorts the man to a meeting of tribal leaders and witnesses Joshua speak. He soon finds out Hani is Joshua's younger sister, and his falling in with them was no accident. Joshua was informed of Noah and takes charge of the boy. This allows Noah to join with his two spies, Enud and Eliab. Together they cross the Jordan River ahead of Joshua and the Hebrew people to spy out the land and make entrance into the pagan city of Jericho.

Once inside the fortified city, the spies befriend Rahab, the keeper of the inn, while Noah is sent to find her son, Ashem. Noah locates him in an alley behind the inn being, bullied by some rich punks, Laba and Nomed. The two boys are sons of the evil governor of Jericho, Natsa. The governor's sons attack Noah but are interrupted by their father and his bodyguard. This is when Noah identifies the first jewel, a massive green emerald the size of a walnut, dangling around the neck of Natsa. Ashem later explains that the one who wears the jewel controls Jericho. Noah and the spies are forced to vacate the city soon after when their presence comes to the attention of Natsa. They report back to Joshua.

Soon, the Israelites cross the Jordan River. Joshua is given orders by God's general, Adonai, and a seven-day countdown to the destruction of Jericho commences. Each day, Joshua is instructed to send his army, marching around the massive walls of Jericho in silence. On the seventh day, however, the army is to circle the city seven times. But on the last lap, the men are to yell and shout along with trumpet blasts. On that day, God will make an example of Jericho to all the Canaanite kings.

Time ticks away as Noah and Ashem devise a plan to get inside the governor's palace and find the Jewel. There are many obstacles in their path: the wicked sons of Natsa, the pagan idol, Morgotha, and her priest, and hundreds of soldiers roaming the streets. Sneaking back into the city requires the help of Thios and a magical leather skin of water. The city is shut tight because of Israel's advance. Noah uses the medallion a couple times, eliciting the help of Moses and Gabriel. He gets caught by an evil priest and beaten by Natsa's men, then thrown into the palace dungeon. For a few restless days, Noah is trapped and afraid, until a fellow prisoner gives him hope and shows him a way out.

God makes way his escape on day seven as Israel's army wraps the city like a python. The palace empties for attack, giving Noah freedom to search and locate the green jewel. He finds the emerald in Natsa's office and must race back to Rahab's inn before the walls cave in. Chaos ensues. Laba and Nomed are on his heels. The city is collapsing. Hebrew soldiers breech the walls. People are screaming. Yards away from the inn, Noah is nearly flattened by a huge section of wall. He rushes forth and jumps. Then there is darkness. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself back at camp inside his tent, lying on the floor. It is as if he never left. Was it a dream? He locates the scepter. Affixed in its rightful place is the first jewel!

All right, that should be enough to get you started.

Shall we?

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Chapter 1

The year was 853 BC.

The king is dead! announced the regent. Long live our new king, Ahaziah!

The rule, the wicked and demented leadership of King Ahab, was at an end. The people could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Ahaziah, firstborn son of Ahab, was positioned to rule in his stead, his brother Joram close by his side to assist. Would the people of Israel fare better under his leadership? Would Ahaziah be the first in his linage to return to the one true God of Israel? The answer—a resounding no! Much like his father, Ahaziah relished a life of domination, debauchery, and greed. In return for his harsh leadership, a long-standing treaty was severed.

The king of Moab rebelled, deciding that enough was enough. The annual taxation of one hundred thousand sheep and one hundred thousand rams had gone on for too long. With the death of Ahab, the representative leader of Israel, the king of Moab, saw an opportunity to end the treaty, a taxation that began hundreds of years earlier under King David when he defeated Moab in battle and renewed again by King Omri. Unashamedly, he informed the Israelites of his betrayal. News of the broken treaty spread throughout the Israelite, northern kingdom of Samaria, like a virus. Ahaziah's dominion was already crumbling. Could he withstand the foreign kingdom's revolt? Would he be able to rouse an army to retaliate?

The rumor mill was cooking in Israel. Ahaziah was not one to be the brunt of gossip, his tyrannical father had taught him well. Days and nights, he fumed and paced the palace grounds, concocting a plan of retribution. Reports were coming in at all hours. Anxiety and anger removed his enjoyment of holding feasts, getting drunk on wine and uproarious laughter. Many nights of peaceful sleep were lost. One afternoon, the king paced the upper floor of the palace, as was his custom. But this time, he lost control. In an outburst, he turned suddenly, losing his balance. His weight shifted against the decorative lattice, adorning the upper chamber and forced the barrier to give way. His fall was more than his mortal body could sustain.

The devasting accident left him weak, making him susceptible to a sickness that wreaked havoc on his body. Death was creeping upon his doorstep, and he knew it. The injurious pain kept him bedridden for days on end; anxious thoughts brought on by fever consumed his mind. Weeks of agony passed slowly. His only hope was a miracle, so Ahaziah conjured a plan to beseech the prophets of Baal-Zebub in Ekron. Surely, he could barter with the gods to heal his mangled body. Ekron was fifteen miles away, so the journey would take at least a week—a week he hoped he could survive.

The God of Israel was unpleased by the pagan ruler. He sent his angel Gabriel to Elijah the Tishbite, a prophet. He was instructed to intercept the messengers of the king, which he did without hesitation. Up on your feet! Go out and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria with this word: ‘Is it because there's no God in Israel that you're running off to consult Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron?' Here's a message from the God you've tried to bypass: ‘You're not going to get out of bed you're in. You're as good as dead already.'

The prophet found the king's messengers on the road to Ekron, just as the angel Gabriel said he would. After speaking the words to the messengers, Elijah departed abruptly. Ahaziah's men stood in disbelief. How did this stranger know what they were sent for? Believing they had been given divine revelation, they returned to the king posthaste.

Ahaziah was shocked by their early arrival. So, why are you back so soon? What's going on? What did the prophets of Baal-Zebub have to say? Speak! give me good news, and you will be nicely rewarded. He writhed in pain as he spoke.

My Lord, we did receive a message, though not by a prophet of Baal-Zebub. A man met us on the road and said, ‘Turn around and go back to the king who sent you. Tell him God's message: Is it because there's no God in Israel that you're running off to consult Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron?'

The servants hesitated to finish. Ahaziah demanded they continue, Go on…

The messenger spoke, You needn't bother, the man said. You're not going to get out of that bed you're in. You're as good as dead already. The two men feared the reprisal of the king.

What! Ahaziah spit up blood from the force of his screams. Who was this man that you spoke with? The very words caused stinging pains to cascade down the left side of the bedridden king.

We do not know, my Lord. The men bowed in submission, hoping their lives would be spared.

Tell me more about this man who met you and said these things to you. What was he like? Ahaziah demanded, now struggling to catch his breathe.

The messengers looked at each other. The elder one spoke, Shaggy, my Lord. He wore a leather belt as well.

Elijah the Tishbite! Ahaziah seethed in anger. Bring me my captain!

A man of substantial stature, dressed in full military garb, entered the king's chamber. He stood over six feet tall, broad shoulders, his muscles enhancing scars from hard-fought battles. His ego was twice the size of him, exuding confidence and strength with a heavy dose of arrogance. Karik was an impressive warrior from an early age, now first captain of King Ahaziah. My king, he announced and bowed in subjection.

Trusted Karik, escort your best men to Elijah the Tishbite. He resides atop the hill outside the palace grounds. Cut him down, and bring him to me immediately! The stoic captain bowed again and exited.

The trumpets of the palace guard sounded throughout the kingdom. Karik and his troop of fifty men marched double time outside the city walls to the Tishbite's hovel. Upon arrival, Elijah stood ready to meet them. The prophet stared down at them from the precipice of the hill. Karik ordered his men to surround the base of the hill while he approached. O, holy man! the formidable Captain yelled, his intimidating voice echoing the countryside. King's orders: Come down! the timbre in his voice gave little doubt to his evil intentions.

Elijah, unfazed by the military presence and Karik's rank, also sensing the wicked nature of their mission, raised his hands to the heavens. If it's true that I'm a ‘holy man,' lightning strike you and your fifty men! As soon as the words left his mouth, a majestic, piercing sheen of blue lightning shot across the heavens, striking Karik and his men dead. Elijah nonchalantly returned to his shelter; the smoldering remains of Israel's finest left to burn.

The crack of thunder shattered the peace of Samaria.

It did not take long for news of the massacre to reach the king's ears. Without hesitation, the king called for his second-ranked captain, Alihu. Alihu was also an experienced fighter. Not quite as intimidating in appearance as Karik, but what he lacked in height, he made up in thickness. He strolled into the king's chambers like a bull, his feet thudding against the marble floor. He had a reputation for deviance and victory at any cost. No doubt, his thoughts lay to the fact that with Karik out of the picture, he was now the top dog. Once more, Ahaziah commanded Alihu to gather his elite soldiers and bring the prophet Elijah to him, dead or alive.

Without delay, Captain Alihu menacingly approached the Tishbite's hill, the stench of burning flesh still wafting in the air from Karik and his troop. Alihu however was unfazed by the smell. Over the years of war and skirmishes, he had witnessed all the evils that one man could inflict on another. Alihu called up to Elijah, "O, holy man! King Ahaziah orders, Come down! Right now!" His confidence unfazed, for lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

Elijah the Tishbite, annoyed by the interruption, moved to the edge of the hill and stared at the new group of soldiers below. He shook his head and raised his hands once more to the heavens. He repeated, If it's true that I'm a ‘holy man,' lightning strike you and your fifty men! Immediately, another divine strike of blue electricity fell from the heavens and incinerated Alihu and his fifty men. A deafening crack of thunder reverberated the clear afternoon skies again over Samaria. Ahaziah already knew of the failure before the messengers had a chance to report.

The frustration of the king rose with every fleeting minute. His worthless life was at an end; he cared not how many soldiers he sacrificed before his ultimate demise. He called for the next highest-ranking officer, Captain Oholiab, who was keenly aware of Karik and Alihu's incineration. The impending orders would lead him and his men to certain death.

As an officer of Israel, he obediently approached the king and accepted his command. A man of few words, Oholiab let his actions speak for himself. His men trusted him. The people admired his honesty and loyalty to their protection. His advancement through the ranks to third in charge of Samaria's fighting force was by merits alone, not through politics and backstabbing, like Karik and Alihu. Once more, a captain of Israel marched out with fifty men to the hill of Elijah.

Oholiab grew up in a God-fearing home. His father, Jehoida, instructed him as a child of the sovereign power and loving-kindness of Yahweh. As he walked ahead of his men, pondering the task at hand, he called out to God to spare his men from the judgment that had befallen Karik and Alihu. Oholiab stared to the precipice of the hill. Elijah was perched, watching his approach.

The captain instructed his men to hold, prepared to sacrifice himself in their stead. He cautiously neared the Tishbite's hill alone. Instead of demanding obedience, Oholiab fell to his knees in supplication and begged the prophet, O, holy man, have respect for my life and the souls of these fifty men! Twice now, lightning from out of the blue skies has struck and incinerated captains and their fifty men. Please, I beg you, Elijah, respect my life! Oholiab remained bowed; his head low, and waited.

The angel of God appeared beside Elijah, Go with him. Do not be afraid.

The prophet descended the hill without saying a word. He placed his hand on Oholiab's shoulder, startling the captain. Oholiab rose to his feet; his heart pounding beneath his cloak. Elijah nodded his approval. The captain breathed a sigh of relief and escorted him to King Ahaziah.

Rage overcame Ahaziah when he laid eyes on the prophet of God entering his chamber. You! You troublemaker! blood mixed with saliva spilled down his chin as he convulsed with anger. "Why must you pry in the affairs of my kingdom, Elijah? What is it that you want?"

Elijah was unmoved by the king's outburst. He stared at the bedridden ruler with indifference. He spoke calm and direct. God's word: Because you sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, as if there were no God in Israel whom you could pray, you'll never get out of that bed alive. Already you're as good as dead.

All color left Ahaziah's face. He knew his death certificate was sealed. Though he refused to bend the knee to the God of Israel and chose to follow the path of his father, Ahab, he knew that Yahweh ruled. He said nothing else. The king collapsed upon the bed, exhausted.

And he died, exactly as God's word spoken by Elijah the Tishbite had said.

And