The Household of God
Volume 1
The early history of mankind
- Chapter 164 -
KAEAM'S SONG OF COMFORT
When the other four could not quite understand this, - as they were at some distance and owing to the noise of the people departing for their homes had not caught much of the discussion- they drew nearer and asked Kaeam what he intended to do.
2
And Kaeam answered: "Since you ask me I tell you that I am staying with the one who saved us which you can do too, if you wish."
3
Then the others asked Kaeam what was to be done with his wife and children and still other things.
4
And Kaeam again replied: "By remaining here I have already done everything! He who saved the earth today And held together the firmament Will care till tomorrow for my poor Little hut. Of that I'm sure!
5
'You should cease to worry, too, For the earth is not in ruin. Rather than to rest at home In your usual indolence Follow in his footsteps One Of the hallowed company.
6
"My hut would be no use to me If One did not protect it. He will abstain from what He does For beyond measure He loves us. So when urged by love I do Follow Him - you do it, too!"
7
The others did not understand what Kaeam was telling them and asked again what he meant to say with these words.
8
But he answered: "He whose heart is not aglow When the Father he has found Will not easily ever know Who the life for him has bound! Therefore now go home you may To your huts to have a rest And for now call it a day And no longer search and quest! Amen."
9
Thereupon the high Abedam turned to the four and said: "Who grasps what he does not see and understands what he does not hear?
10
"If the blind, or one with closed eyes does not see anything in broad daylight, how will he fare during the night? And he whose ear is deaf to the thunder, how could he understand love's gentle breath?
11
I tell you: He who does not recognize the rising sun at first sight, has immensely defective eyes. And he who is not awakened by the loud thunder has certainly a sound sleep.
12
Therefore it is all right for you to return to your huts there to enjoy a sound sleep; but do not forget to wake up in time tomorrow! Amen."
13
When the four had heard Abedam's words, they were frightened. And one of them asked Abedam: "Who are you that our hearts quaked so mightily at the sound of your words? What have we got to do with you?"
14
Who am I? - I am who I am, and so far you have had very little to do with Me!"
15
"If I had always had as little to do with you as you with Me, truly, you would not have eaten much bread.
16
"Understand this and go to have your rest! Amen."
17
Since Abedam was so short with them they still turned to Seth and asked him what was the case with the stranger as his words sounded so peculiar and gave them such a strange feeling.
18
But Seth replied: "Did you not hear what the stranger earlier told you: 'If the blind or one with closed eyes does not see anything in broad daylight, how will he fare during the night?'
19
The inner eye of your heart is still immensely blind and therefore you do not see the very bright sun on the horizon of all life. So do go home, sleep off your folly and tomorrow come to us in a sober spirit. Amen."
20
When the four saw that they were not making any headway with their questions, they thanked the patriarchs and deep in thought left for their huts, which by your reckoning were situated about half an hour from here towards midday.
21
On the way they asked one another what they thought of the stranger among the patriarchs of the original line.
22
But one among them, called Kuramech, said: "May you hear it, could you hear it and would you hear it? - But stupid, so stupid are we as we should not be: We think without thoughts, gaze without light, ask without a mouth and have no foundation!
23
"I once found a hollow tree and crawled into its wide cavity. 'There it was so desolate. I saw nothing but the rotten, evil smelling mould, but I did not find the life of the tree, yet from the outside it looked alive. It had plenty of foliage, but whether it had also fruit I do not know, for I could not see this because of its height.
24
"Thus I once noticed a large bird sailing through the air. It was an eagle. It imitated the voices of little birds, which flew up believing to hear their own kind, but once they caught sight of the big eagle they shot back in panic. Although the song was similar to that of the little birds it sounded more powerful and carried farther along the dismal heights. I was in great fear When this voice reached my ear.
25
"Once I heard it at night like the mighty roaring of a storm, but the leaves on the trees did not move, and I thought: 'What is this roaring sound in the perfect stillness?'
26
"It soon became silent, and there was no wind. A mighty roaring, yet no wind What a peculiar happening!
27
"I also once saw from a high rock face how heavy dark clouds were rising from the sea. 'They kept rising higher and higher right to the wall of rock. I wanted to see what they contained, but I soon became terrified, for the closer these clouds were approaching the darker the depth became. Therefore I fled, as known to you all As fast as possible from the wall. And I went to my hut with haste Where I found the usual rest.
28
"If any more is to occur Time will lift the mists. So let us no longer rack our brains And stir up hornets' nests! Mountains are crooked, We are stupid, What can one tell the other really On questions, which are silly? At most speak of one's own distress, Which must be borne by foolishness. So therefore I will now be silent And go to my own hut There to enjoy sweet rest Hoping for the best
29
"If you go on querying Morning will tell you this: My rays to all of you proclaim You are still sinful all the same. Why do you not want to rest a while Instead of doing what is futile?' Make sure you have clear eyes When the sun will rise!
30
"But you may do what you see fit, My tongue shall not resent it. Tomorrow we may see if light You have gained during the night.
31
"Suns you will surely not create However long at night you wait. Tomorrow we may see if light You have gained during the night. Amen."
32
After these words Kuramech left them and hurried to his hut for a rest, while the other three sat down on the ground and discussed many a thing to keep away sleep.
33
When Kuramech entered his hut and found his wife and children in great amazement because of the bright lighting in the hut, he remembered the words of the stranger and he began to search his soul and became more and more convinced that the stranger was not a stranger at all, but One Who is everywhere at home.
34
And so he began to praise Him and continued with this praise until the needed sleep silenced his eager tongue.