The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 88 -
The Death And Reawakening Of Joel
JOSEPH NOW told his sons to complete their unfinished chores and then to retire.
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And since his limbs were weary, he also promptly retired.
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Thus this day, which was rich in experience, came to a close. -
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The following day Joseph was up as usual a good while before sunrise and also awakened his sons to work.
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For he said, 'The early bird catches the worm - what we do in the morning is more blessed than all the rest of the day's toil.'
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Thus, with the exception of James who had to remain with the Baby, he went right out to an acre and cultivated it with the other four sons.
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Now the oldest son labored most industriously and wanted to surpass the other three.
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And behold, as he quite busily struck the spade into the earth, he suddenly lifted a very poisonous snake out of the ground.
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And the snake moved quickly against him and bit him in the foot.
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Hereupon the three younger brothers rushed over and killed the snake - but for all that the brother's foot swelled up visibly. A dizziness came over him, and he soon sank down into death.
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Joseph and the three younger brothers began to lament and entreated God to restore Joel to life again for them.
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And Joseph put a curse on the snake and said to the three, 'From now on a snake shall never more crawl on this ground!
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Now pick up your brother and carry him home, for it must thus have pleased the Lord that He took the heir away from me!'
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And the three brothers wept and carried Joel home, and Joseph rent his garment and followed them lamenting.
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When they came to the house, Mary, who was holding the Child and had become frightened by the lament, quickly came to meet them, and James followed her.
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Both emitted a cry of anguish when they beheld the lifeless Joel and Joseph with his rent garment.
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The three priests also came over quickly and were considerably shocked at the sight of the corpse.
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And one of them admitted to Joseph, 'Only now do I fully believe that you are only a man - for if you were a god, how could your children die, and how would you fail to promptly awaken them?'
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Here the Baby said: 'You are all mistaken! Joel is in a stupor and sleeps - but he is not dead!
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Go and bring a sea-onion; lay it upon his wound, and it soon will be better with him!'
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In haste Joseph went after such an onion and laid it upon Joel's wound.
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In a few moments Joel awoke and asked them all what had happened to him.
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Those around him quickly told him everything and praised and honored God for saving him, and the three priests came into a great respect of the Child - but into a still greater respect of the onion.