The roar was deafening! Abel felt like the Falls was right next to him. Walking directly
behind his father, he suddenly saw it! His hungry eyes devoured the scene before him. The
Falls were everything his father had said they would be. With water roaring over the cliff
and plunging into a churning pool, Abel could see the heads of the four rivers.
Studying the land in awe, his eyes rested on the Hiddekel, which his brother called the
Tigris.
“Come, my son. The Garden waits.”
Adam gave Abel a guided tour, speaking loudly to be heard above the roar.
“You will notice, my son, that to the north of the Hiddekel is the Pison. I have never
explored it, but I sense that it is a very important land. I call it Havilah, because even from
here you can see great expanses of sand.
“Now, to the left is Eden Falls. I know it attracts your attention, as well as the arch, but
look further to the west. That is the Euphrates, the mightiest of the four rivers.”
Abel stared at the river in disbelief. The water roiled and foamed furiously. Looking
further west he could see huge rocks dotting the river appearing bigger than a man does. It
was quite a contrast to the gentle Gihon.
Adam resumed his narrative. “Now, my son, I want to show you something truly
amazing. First, look at the arch. See how it crosses the pool and comes down to where we
are. It is how your mother and I descended from the Garden.”
“It looks like I could climb it.”
Adam sighed, momentarily reliving that fateful trip down the ramp.
“You could, my son. But it was very hard on us, especially your mother. Coming down
was difficult, especially with all the animals around.”
“What is that shiny thing above?”
Adam smiled.
“What does it look like?”
“It reminds me of the sword you used to clear the way.”
“Actually that sword was patterned after what you see up there. Do you notice anything
about it?”
“It is on fire!”
“Yes. And it moves by itself. Do you see the Cherubim?
“Yes, yes!”
Abel’s excitement was boundless as he intently studied these magnificent creatures. He
had never seen anything like them before. It appeared that they guarded the entrance to the
Garden itself, while the sword guarded the bridge.
“It is a wonderful sight, father.”
“Yes, it is. But look at the Garden. It is hard to see from here, but if you stand upon
yonder hill, you will at least get a glimpse of what the Garden is like.”
Abel hurried over and climbed to the top. Once there, he turned and looked at the
Garden, noticing the hedge of large colorful flowers encircling the Garden. Adam allowed
Abel several minutes of rapturous joy before beginning the ceremony.
&&&
Adam lifted up the little lamb and placed it upon the altar before handing Abel his knife.
Closing his eyes, Abel silently prayed. Dear God, I offer this lamb unto You. Strengthen me
as I dedicate myself to Thee. Then he slit the lamb’s throat. Adam quickly placed a clay
bowl beneath the lamb’s head and let it fill with the lamb’s blood.
Next Adam related the story of his and Eve’s sojourn in and expulsion from the Garden.
Several minutes later, eyes watering, he turned and looked into Abel eyes.
“You are my son and before these witnesses, I declare that thou art a man. Thou shalt
share in the responsibilities and your voice shall I consider. When you have found a wife
and have sons, then you shall pass these burdens along. And you shall remember that the
God, Who created this Garden and placed these Cherubim in your way, loves you. Though
man is forbidden to re-enter the Garden, God is ready to hear his prayers. A real man is
not afraid to trust God, nor should a man cease to worship Him.”
Adam stopped and turned, facing the Cherubim. Spreading his arms wide, he declared,
“May the God of the heavens and the earth accept this day my son, Abel, as a man and
direct his paths all the days of his life.”
The cheeks of Abel glistened with tears. I am a man!
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