Ancient, Mighty and Eternal

Prompt: Write a story where the line between myth and reality begins to blur.

Prompt: Write a story that connects mythology and science.

Ancient, Mighty and Eternal

“It’s an agglomerated catastrophe,” said the young geologist as he pounded his hammer into the side of the mountain. His equally young comrade John (and presiding archaeologist) was nodding in agreement. “John, I can hammer night and day for the next twenty years and I likely will make no more headway than what I have done in the past hour. I think it is time to reassess our plan of an archeological attack on the mountainside. We need to seek the areas around Mount Hermon that are mainly limestone.”

John responded, “Well Dan you’re the boss of this huge university grant to explore Bashan in the Golan Heights. If the benefactors knew that this mount had more volcanic basalt than limestone, I think they would have changed their minds about the grant.”

Dan adamantly said, “I hope not, John. This area is so rich with ancient artifacts. I think we should head over to the Dolmens. Hopefully, the ancient Bronze Age burial grounds of nomadic tribes will yield relics of that period. Since the ground was too hard to bury their tribesmen, they constructed two vertical stones topped with a huge, horizontal stone. There is a remote possibility that we might find some small remnants of that age hidden in crevices and shallow crypts that had been overlooked in past excavations. The Dolmens almost remind me of several mini-Stonehenge pockets. By the way, as you know Mr. Archeologist, the stones at Stonehenge were placed there long before the Druids. Anyway, that is a discussion for a later time. Let’s head out before the sun sets.”

“Dan, I don’t believe the Syrian government gave us permission to dig at those burial grounds.”

“Well, John, remember Israel captured the Golan Heights in the six days war back in 1967. It is now occupied by Israeli forces. Notice the ruins of mosques and old military bases as we make our way. The six-day conflict was a mighty, pre-emptive strike by Israeli armed forces against Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Over 15,000 Arab troops were killed as were about 1000 Israelis. That conflict demonstrated the incredible might of Israel during that time.”

Reaching the Dolmens Dan continued, “This ground has not softened over the decades either. It is nothing but basalt. You know, we should just continue on toward another area on the Golan Heights around Bashan. The Arabs call it Rujm al Hiri; the Israelis say Rogem Hiri. It is an area shrouded in mystery. The ground is more fragmented there and ancient artifacts may be more exposed. We had best make camp for the night and actively scour the grounds earlier at sunrise.”

Dan and John made their way to Rogem Hiri. From a higher elevation they could see the layout of the site with the setting sun behind it. Creepy shadows formed off the walls from the sun. Rustling creatures filled the air with unnerving, spooky sounds of the impending nightfall.

John said, “Look at this marvel from antiquity. See the four concentric circles and in the middle is a cairn (or marker). The walls outlining the circles are twice the height of a man and the largest circle has to be 150 meters in diameter. Dating analysis from previous rock samples points to a time around 1500 BC or even earlier. I can’t wait to investigate this formation at a closer vantage point. A civilization of goliath people must have created this formation.”

Continuing on John said, “Dan, did you know there are several theories as to the use of these markers? Some experts suggest it was a defensive complex or a burial center, possibly the tomb of the giant King of Bashan, named Og. Another theory describes it as an astronomical observation center. I hope our search tomorrow might help to support one or more of those theories. I suppose we should set up camp before it gets too dark.”

Dan replied, “Ok, but let’s keep the camp simple. We’ll start a small fire and just sleep in our sleeping bags. I’ll get some food cooking on the fire. John, how do you like your beans, with or without cooking sherry?”

“With cooking sherry and lots of it,” replied John. “Beans represent one of natures fortified foods but offer little olfactory enjoyment to the taste buds. Douse it well, my friend,” said John with a smile on his face.

As they ate, Dan remarked, “John, I am familiar with King Og of Bashan. Biblical writings reveal the giant king was so tall and immense he had to sleep in a bed fashioned from iron. If it wasn’t written in the biblical texts this could almost be a case of extraterrestrial intervention by another humanoid race. You even said that the Rogem Hiri could have been an observational center for cosmic events. But I also wonder how the 1967 six days war parallels Moses and his army destroying Og’s empire at Edrei outside Bashan. A sort of history repeating itself in the same place with similar hostilities. Both the ancient Israelites and the modern-day Israeli army destroying and plundering its enemy at Bashan in the Goland Heights. Seems awfully devoid of coincidence. On that historical interpretation, let’s discuss more in depth theories tomorrow once we are able to add artifacts to our searches.”

Sharing a cordial goodnight, Dan and John lumbered into their sleep bags. Both fell quickly asleep due to their exhaustive hike through the Goland Heights. A few hours had passed when Dan’s snoring caused John to wake in a semiconscious stupor. John, lying on his back, gazed up into the stark black sky pinpointed with shimmering stars. A few were clustered into recognizable constellation arrays; however, there was one group of stars that appeared to be getting brighter and brighter. It seemed to stop and hover at the horizon in the field just below where they had encamped.

John bolted up from his prone position looking at the bright assembly of stars. It momentarily paused into the field. Then a whirlwind appeared at the cairn of Rogem Hiri. Dust, stones, large rocks and old bones were caught up into the whirling winds. It appeared that the agglomerated stones, mud and rocks were being transformed into a large shape. The geologic nightmare had fashioned its shape into that of a huge giant man with big hands, grotesque facial features, an enormous torso and big feet. It was a menacing behemoth. The colossus developed flesh over the agglomeration of stone. John rubbed his eyes in disbelief thinking his consumption of excessive cooking sherry was to blame.

In a panicky voice John cried out to Dan. “Dan, something is happening that you are not going to believe. Wake up, Dan! Please wake up!”

Despite John’s efforts, Dan did not awake. His snoring just seemed to get louder. The creature then spoke in a booming voice,

“You, little man, dare to enter my sacred burial grounds? I am Og, King of Bashan. I am the mighty warrior King of the ancient of days. Are you pleased and deeply satisfied that your God condemned me to die from the bloody swords of Moses’ armies? Now you have come to disturb my bones. What is that you seek before I destroy you?”

Stammering, John said, “I have no desire to upset you, O King of Bashan. I am here to let the earth know of your greatness. I come to reveal the injustice perpetrated on you by the nation of Israel.” John clenched his teeth as he lied fearful of not knowing what this ethereal manifestation of Og would do next.

“Know O King, I mean no harm on your resting place. Just let us find some evidence of your kingdom so we can prove to the earth you were a mighty, formidable king.” John lied again.

The King bellowed, “You will do no such thing! You are an annoyance like the mosquitos that inhabit this land. I will destroy you like the pest you are. Prepare to meet your God for my vengeance will be upon you because you are descended from that murderous thug, Moses.”

John exclaimed, “Wait O King! I am one of your descendants from one of your many towns in Bashan. I am a Rephaite like you. You kill me and your ancestral line will end forever.”

As John said this, he kicked Dan in his side repeatedly until he became awake.

In an aggravated tone, Dan said, “John why are you kicking me?”

Dan then saw the nightmarish King hovering around Rogem Hiri. He exclaimed, “This can’t be. My eyes are playing tricks on me. Or are you John creating this illusion?”

“No, Dan you are viewing the real thing. Let me introduce you to King Og of Bashan created from the remnants of Rogem Hiri.”

His annoyance growing greater with each passing moment, the King blurted out, “You say you are a descendant of the Rephaites, but you lie to me! I am the last of the Rephaites. Now you both must die. It will be a slow death as I recount the horrors Moses inflicted upon all my people.”

Dan standing up in defiance, yelling at the King. “You are a fraud, King Og! You are not the Ancient of Days. You perpetrate lies like the father of lies, Satan. Retreat back into the ground you sinister, despicable creation. Here is the Truth! The Truth from the Word of God Himself!”

Daniel continued on, “The Ancient of Days (has taken) His seat. His clothing was as white as snow. The hair on His head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and the throne (wheels) were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” (1)

Dan added, “This is the revelation from Jesus Christ which God gave (Him) to show His servants what must soon take place.”(2)

As soon as Dan finished his proclamation about the Truth, the menacing creation disintegrated into the ground as dust, rocks and bones.

“I wish I could have gotten you to wake up earlier,” said John in a relieved voice. By the way, I’ll hold off on the cooking sherry next time.

-END-

NIV=New International Version

1 (Daniel 7: 9-11, 13-14 NIV)

2 (Revelation 1:1, NIV)

Author: Peter Gautchier

Acknowledgement: Reedsyprompt.com