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At the beginning of the year 870 BC, a council of as roup of Assyrian generals had decided to send troops to conquer the nations located along the Mediterranean coast Phoenicia had been selected as the first country to be invaded

At the beginning of the year 870 BC, twoin a stable in Gilead, in Israel, expected to die in the next few hours

PART I

"I HAVE SERVED A LORD WHO NOW ABANDONS ME INTO the hands of my enemies," said Elijah

"God is God," the Levite replied "He did not tell Moses whether He was good or evil; He si that exists under the sun--the lightning bolt that destroys a house, and the hand of man that rebuilds it"

Talking was the only way to ward off fear; at any moment, soldiers would open the door to the stable where they were hiding, discover them both, and offer the only choice possible: worship Baal, the Phoenician god, or be executed They were searching house by house, converting the prophets or executing them

Perhaps the Levite would convert and escape death But for Elijah there was no choice: everything was happening through his own fault, and Jezebel wanted his head under all circumstances

"It was an angel of the Lord who obligedAhab and warn hi as Baal orshiped in Israel," he said, alel had told hiins to take hold, Princess Jezebel will already have destroyed all who remain loyal to the Lord"

The Levite said nothing He was reflecting on whether he should convert to Baal or die in the name of the Lord

"Who is God?" Elijah continued "Is it He who holds the sword of the soldier, the sword that executes those ill not betray the faith of our patriarchs? Was it He who placed a foreign princess on our country's throne, so that all this eneration? Does God kill the faithful, the innocent, those who follow the law of Moses?"

The Levite h, for the idea of death frightened hi prophet beside him and attempted to calm him "Ask God, since you doubt His decisions," he said "I have accepted my fate"

"The Lord cannot wish us to be massacred without mercy," insisted Elijah

"God is all-powerful If He liood, we could not call Hihty; he would command only one part of the universe, and there would exist so His acts In that case, I would worship that more powerful someone"

"If He is all-powerful, why doesn't He spare the suffering of those who love Hilory to His enemies?"

"I don't know," said the Levite "But a reason exists, and I hope to learn it soon"