Messiah's Message Page 3

  Chapter 3 - Where is God When You Need Him?

  “They were so close,” said Jasmine sadly.

  “I know!” Papa replied. “I was there. Mercy was offered. They chose war.”

  “Will they be forever separated?” wondered Eli.

  “Forever the Zelphi have watched. Forever they have recorded. They see all and understand all. They know what must be done.”

  “My Liege, Victor and the Triumphant Ones, along with Galen and his Healers are in position,” reported Eli.

  “Excellent!”

  It was some time before Micah was able to control his unexpected grief. Emotionally drained and physically exhausted, Micah found a cab and headed back to the King David Hotel. It was well past midnight before the weary prophet finally went to sleep.

  The following morning, Peter Massad met Micah in the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Peter was a tall, thin man with dark hair and a dark mustache. He was intelligent, serious, and very dedicated to the project. Micah could tell he was a hard-working, down-to-business sort of man which was good. Micah respected hard work. But Micah also knew how to enjoy life. First impressions convinced him Peter Massad had no such perspective on life. Nonetheless, Micah was confident Peter would be professional and do an excellent job for the company.

  After breakfast, Peter drove Micah out to the job site. It was a spectacular location on a summit overlooking the eastern slopes of the Jordan Valley. Like all construction sites, the area looked like a series of gigantic ant hills with men and machines scurrying about in every direction. The buzz of bulldozers, tractors, and heavy machinery was deafening!

  Hydraulic excavators with cat-digging buckets dug deeper and deeper into a hole which would eventually become an underground, multi-level parking garage. Bull dozers scraped and scooped mounds of earth into a steady line of dump trucks waiting to be filled. Once loaded, the trucks slowly drove their heavy cargo up the steep dirt road and out of the hole. The dirt was then unloaded onto a piece of undeveloped land about a half mile away. Once emptied, the trucks made a u-turn and headed back down into the pit for another load. Micah loved watching the perpetual activity. It meant progress!

  “Looks like things are moving right along, Peter,” Micah said with a smile.

  “I hoped you would be pleased, Mr. Collins,” replied Peter without smiling.

  As they were driving back to Peter’s office, Peter handed Micah a copy of the Jerusalem Post. “I thought you might like to see some of the publicity we’ve received. Two days ago the paper did an extensive article on the hospital, the owners, architects, and the builders.”

  Micah opened the paper and spent the next few moments reading the printed article.

  “Collins Enterprises, Inc. based in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, a leading international construction firm, was selected to build the new Rapha Children’s Hospital and Eye Clinic in the heart of Jerusalem. Mr. Micah Collins, Vice President of CEI’s North American Division, will personally oversee the project. Expected to arrive in a few days, Mr. Collins will take up residency near the site and maintain an active management role in the construction of the hospital until its scheduled completion in two years.”

  “Zuriel ben-Hadar, Vice President of the Middle East Division of CEI told the Jerusalem Post, ‘The goal of CEI has always been to provide our customers with superior, hands-on service throughout the duration of the project, delivering our buildings on time and under budget. Mr. Collins and I are here to ensure the owners get what they paid for and the residents of Jerusalem get a state-of-the-art medical facility able to serve the needs of children for generations to come.’

  “Partnering with CEI is Massad General Contractors of Tel Aviv. Owner, Peter Massad, will serve as Senior Project Manager.

  Micah continued reading until he reached the final paragraph which stated, ‘This project will bring much needed employment to the city. Many skilled tradesmen are still required. Experienced local sub-contractors are encouraged to apply,’ said Mr. Massad. ‘Anyone interested may contact Massad General Contractors for more information.’”

  “It’s a good article,” Micah told Peter as they were pulling into the parking lot of Massad General Contractors. “Keep me informed regarding the sub-contractors.”

  After Peter had introduced Micah to the project’s architects, engineers and designers, he took Micah back to his office. Opening the door, Peter was surprised to find his father, Kadmiel Massad, waiting to greet him.

  “Father! What are you doing here?” Peter asked coldly.

  “Hello Peter. It is good to see you again, son. Actually, I came to ask you and Mr. Collins to have dinner with us tonight. Jason told me all about the new hospital project and the famous American builder. He thought it would be nice to have you both over for a meal. It was Jason’s idea, Peter.”

  “Forgive me, Mr. Collins,” said Peter realizing Micah had not yet been introduced. “This is my father, Rabbi Kadmiel Massad. Jason is my six year old son.”

  Micah shook hands with Rabbi Kadmiel and said, “My dad would be so jealous. Dinner at you home sounds wonderful!”

  Peter did not seem as excited. Looking at Peter, Micah quickly added, “If it’s not a problem.”

  Turning his back on his dad and looking directly at Micah, Peter said, “You’re the boss. Dinner it is.”

  After several hours of appointments and project meetings, Peter drove Micah to Kadmiel’s house. It was a modest but lovely home located near the Israeli Knesset building in the western part of the city. Peter knocked at the front door and waited. Jason Massad opened the door and greeted the two men with a great big smile.

  “Abba! Abba!” he shouted, lifting both arms upwards towards his father.

  But Peter just patted the boy on the head and said, “Jason, this is Mr. Collins. Where’s your grandfather?” Then Peter walked right past his son, through the hallway and into the living room.

  Micah was stunned by Peter’s indifference towards his own son. Micah extended his hand to Jason saying, “Hello there my fine young man. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  But when Jason stuck out his hand towards Micah, his hand was pointing towards Micah’s left side. Micah reached around and shook Jason’s hand. That’s when he realized Jason was blind.

  “I’m glad you came,” Jason said enthusiastically. “Nana’s been cooking all day long and boy do we have a lot of food.” Jason rolled his eyes and laughed.

  “Welcome! Welcome to my humble home,” said Rabbi Kadmiel hurrying to the door to greet his dinner guest. “I hope you brought a hearty appetite, my friend.”

  Micah was escorted to the dining room and seated before a table loaded with plates, bowls and platters of delightful-looking Jewish food.

  “Grandfather, can I sit next to him?” asked Jason excitedly.

  “Of course, if Mr. Collins does not mind,” said Kadmiel.

  “Not at all! I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Micah said jokingly. “And my friends call me ‘Micah.’ It’s a good thing I am hungry,” he laughed. “I can’t wait to sample all these wonderful-smelling dishes. And I can’t wait to tell my dad what he missed.”

  Everyone at the table laughed together; everyone except Peter.

  During the course of the evening, Micah was served a traditional Israeli vegetable salad, bowls of green and black olives, hummus, pita bread and slices of white cheese, chicken soup with matzo balls and roasted leg of lamb. For dessert a lovely platter filled with locally grown fresh fruit, nuts, and halva was placed on the table. “It’s made from sesame seeds,” explained Nana.

  “Whatever it is, it’s delicious!” said Micah.

  Micah could not help but notice Peter’s silence during dinner. He never once spoke to his son. He never even looked at Jason. His attitude seemed to be getting more disagreeable with each passing hour.

  Micah fell in love with Jason. He was a talkative, smart, kind-hearted young boy, with curly black hair and absolutely bursting with energy.

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��When I grow up I want to be a carpenter just like my father,” Jason told Micah. “I know Yeshua will heal my eyes one day. Then I can build hospitals like my dad.”

  “Sounds like a great idea, Jason.” Winking at Kadmiel, Micah added, “Did you know that when I was just about your age I said the same thing to my father? And look at me now!”

  “Micah, I understand your new hospital will be called, ‘Rapha Children’s Hospital and Eye Clinic,’” said Rabbi Kadmiel. “Did you know ‘Rapha’ means ‘The LORD who heals’?”

  Micah replied, “It’s odd you mention that, Rabbi. I had a very unusual experience the first night I arrived in Jerusalem. I cannot explain why, but I have an odd feeling it may have something to do with this project.” Micah then told Kadmiel the words he heard on the old city wall his first night in Jerusalem.

  “You heard the heart of Yeshua!” said the Rabbi. “Israel did not recognize Jesus Christ as her Messiah when he came the first time. That is why Yeshua wept over the city the day he rode into Jerusalem on that donkey. And from what you have told me so far my son, I’d say you were one of his prophets.”

  Surprised, Micah asked, “How is it you understand Jesus Christ was God’s anointed Messiah? I thought Jewish rabbis did not believe in the New Testament teachings about Jesus.”

  “Most do not, but I do. I have come to understand and accept the truth that Jesus Christ was the promised Savior, the one my countrymen have waited for since the promise was first given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus is the Holy One of Israel and God’s Messiah. Nana, Jason and I love Jesus with all our hearts,” revealed the gentle Rabbi.

  By this time it was apparent that Peter had heard enough of the dinner conversation and could no longer contain his seething bitterness. “How could any Jew love God? What has he ever done for our people except brought misery and death to our nation for generations?”

  “Papa, that’s not true,” said Jason beginning to cry. “Yeshua healed many Jewish people and made them well just like he’s going to heal my eyes one day.”

  “Actually Jesus…” Micah started to say, but he was abruptly interrupted by Peter.

  “God does not heal anyone! Not then. Not now. Things are what they are. That’s it!” Peter stated bluntly. He then pushed his chair away from the table and stormed out the back door and onto the open veranda.

  Rabbi Kadmiel said, “Micah, please forgive my son. He does not really mean what he says. Grief and doubt have found a home in his heart.”

  Jason added, “He does not believe in Yeshua. But I pray for him every day.”

  “I don’t mean to pry Rabbi, but what happened to make Peter so angry at God?” Micah asked respectfully.

  “There was a terrible car accident. His wife was taken to heaven and Jason’s eyesight was taken away. To Peter, God only takes. He never gives,” explained Kadmiel. “Since the accident, Jason has been in our care. His father hardly ever comes to see him. Tonight was the first time in three months Peter has been home. We pray daily for him to be reconciled to God and to his son.”

  Micah replied, “I had a hunch it was something like that. Such a tragedy can make a man’s heart very bitter. But Rabbi, I know God is in the business of reconciliation and bringing prodigal sons home. I will join with you in prayer for his return. Now, would you excuse me for a moment please?”

  Micah quietly left the room and went out to join Peter. Still looking out over the city, Peter said, “I suppose my father told you what happened, so you tell me. Why would the God of Israel allow such terrible things to happen to His ‘Chosen people’? If God is so good, why did he take my wife? If God is so loving, why does he leave my son blind? The doctor’s said they may be able to help him but the eye surgeries would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Where am I supposed to get that kind of money? God says ‘Trust me. I will take care of you.’ Then he grinds you into the ground in agony and pain. Such a God does not deserve to be loved or worshipped.”

  Micah started to reply but putting up his hand, Peter interrupted Micah once again. “Look, Mr. Collins. With all due respect, you hired me to do a job not listen to your religious views. We both have a full day’s work ahead of us tomorrow. Please say your ‘goodbyes’ to my family now. I’ll meet you in the car.” Peter then turned and walked out of the house.

  Micah collected his jacket and warmly thanked his gracious hosts. “Nana, the meal was spectacular! I may have entered your home hungry, but I leave with a full stomach and a heart overflowing with the warmth of your hospitality. Rabbi Kadmiel, I hope I have the pleasure of your company again very soon.”

  Then taking Jason firmly by the hand Micah said, “And Shalom to you my new-found friend!”

  Neither man spoke during the drive back to the King David Hotel. The minute Micah returned to his room, he called his wife. After listening to Micah’s concerns Julie said, “You know Honey, I had a very disturbing dream. Dozens of children were crying out in pain and then there was silence. I can’t put my finger on it, but something tells me there’s more going on with Peter Massad than meets the eye. Just keep both eyes on him and be careful, ok?”

  The following day, Mr. Tobias Amir arrived at the corporate office of Massad General Contractors for his 11:00 am appointment with Peter Massad.

  “After reviewing all business proposals, your company was selected as having submitted the lowest bid. Therefore my boss would like to offer Amir and Associates the job of pouring the concrete for the Rapha Children’s Hospital and parking garage,” stated Peter.

  “Thank you, Mr. Massad,” Tobias replied half smiling. “I assure you, our partnership on this project will be very rewarding. In fact, I guarantee it!”

  “Fine,” Peter replied flatly. “I took the liberty of preparing the contracts. My secretary has the documents at her desk. You can review them in the conference room. If there are no additional questions, please return your signed copies to her and she will mail you a fully executed agreement. We’ll let you know when the site is ready. Good day.”

  Peter abruptly dismissed Tobias then closed the door to his office. “I know CEI is trying to save money, but I wonder if they have any idea who we just hired,” thought Peter.

  “Where is it? I know I kept a copy around here somewhere,” he muttered.

  Shuffling through a stack of old newspapers on his credenza, Peter found what he was looking for. An article on the second page of the Jerusalem Post stated, “Investigators are still looking for clues into last week’s collapse of a newly constructed parking garage in Tel Aviv. No criminal charges have been filed as yet, but authorities are still investigating Amir and Associates, the concrete contractor, in connection with the disaster.”

  Peter could not see the invisible, dark companions which accompanied Tobias Amir in and out of his office. He could not see the wicked forces beginning to take up positions around his own building. And Peter had no way of knowing who or what had just been dispatched to the hospital construction site. Commander Deobolas knew. So did the Zelphi.