Devil's Island by John Hagee Page B

God and Savior of mankind.
    So Abraham traveled to his ancestral homeland, the origin of so much Jewish and Christian history, arriving just before Passover, and just about the time General Titus and four legions of battle-tested Roman soldiers encamped around the city.
    Before his trip Abraham had been aware of the ongoing conflict in the area. Jewish nationalists had rebelled against Rome four years earlier and Rome had been trying to smash the revolt ever since. But when Nero had died two years after the outbreak of hostilities, Rome was forced to turn its attention to the ensuing civil war at home. Once Vespasian, who had commanded the forces in Palestine, successfully claimed the throne, he sent his son Titus back to Jerusalem to put an end to the rebellion once and for all. Rome knew how to be brutal.
    When Abraham arrived the greater threat, at least initially, was inside the city walls: the rebel groups were deeply divided and battling for control of the Temple Mount. Ordinary citizens were often caught in the cross fire of the opposing factions.
    Six weeks after his arrival, Abraham came face-to-face with not only the brutality of war but the dehumanizing despair of deprivation. For the first time in his life, he knew what it was to be truly hungry.
    â€œWe have no food again. Nothing.” In the early morning light Rivka’s face appeared more haggard than usual, and she looked worriedly at the young child balanced on her hip. “I’ve been very careful with our supplies, Tobias . . .” Rivka’s words dwindled to a frightened whisper.
    â€œI know you have. It’s not your fault.” Tobias touched her arm reassuringly and Abraham’s heart went out to the couple. He’d grown very fond of them in the few weeks he had stayed in their beautiful home in the Upper City.
    Tobias was the son of a distant relative, one his father had encouraged him to look up when he arrived in Jerusalem. Of course, his father had not known that Abner was no longer alive or that Abner’s son had become a Christian. Abraham relished the irony of finding that his father, who had intended for Abraham to renew his Jewish faith, had instead placed him in the home of a kinsman who shared his new faith in Christ.
    â€œWe should have left with the others,” Rivka lamented. “But the baby . . . I was scared.”
    â€œYou must stop blaming yourself,” Tobias said. “Staying here, in our home, was the right thing for us.”
    Tobias had already told Abraham how most of the Christians in Jerusalem had relocated to Pella, a city in the province of Perea, east of the Jordan River. They had believed the anticipated Roman siege was the beginning of the troubles prophesied by Jesus, and that the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed. But when their friends departed, Rivka had been pregnant, and having a difficult time, so she and Tobias had stayed. And after the birth of their son, Joel, they had still been hesitant to travel because the child was sickly.
    â€œBesides,” Tobias added, “if we had left with the others, we would not have been here to welcome Abraham. Just think what we would have missed then.”
    â€œI’m glad we didn’t miss that,” Rivka said, smiling at last. “You’ve been a dear friend and brother to us.”
    What they would have missed, Abraham thought, is another mouth to feed. A burden no one in Jerusalem, overcrowded by the influx of pilgrims for Passover—pilgrims who were now stranded in the city—had needed. But his cousins, as he referred to them, had not seemed to mind at all. In fact, they had been bolstered by his arrival, and the bond of fellowship with them had become quite close-knit in a matter of days.
    â€œAbraham, it’s time for another adventure,” Tobias announced, trying to keep a light tone. “Let’s go shopping for food.”
    â€œWe’re getting quite good at this, you know,”