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The Tishbite
The Untold Story of Elijah

By Kurt W. Schuller (USA)

Chapter 3

This manuscript (currently titled "the tishbite" but I am considering "A Man of God") is unfinished This Is a fictional account of the life of Elijah. It is raw and powerful reflecting the actual state of life at the time.It has a strong sexual theme which is necessary because of the story it tells. It is both inspirational as well as entertaining. It was written to entertain the reader first.` Your feedback is welcome I hope you enjoy.

Part one: A Man Of God

Chapter three

 Elijah tried to leave with everything in order but was not having any success. He was met with disdain and ridicule wherever he went as he sought to sell his remaining inventory. Every merchant he approached gave him the cold shoulder, or worse, was outright gleeful at his closing, especially the silver merchant.
“Sell it to your precious Jehovah, Zealot. You’ll get no help from me. It’s nothing but trash anyway.”
 He had counted on the money he would get from selling the inventory to fund his journey to Samaria. At days end, as the other shops began to prepare for closing he marched into the center of the square, and at the top of his lungs yelled, “ My entire inventory for one tenth of its value.”
Nothing happened.  No one even looked up from what they were doing. It was not that they could not hear him, for Elijah saw several of them stifling a laugh as they continued on with what they were doing.
Elijah looked down at his worn sandals. They would not last two miles, let alone the 60 miles that lay ahead of him.
Again he yelled. “My inventory for a new pair of sandals.”
Now everyone stopped what they were doing and began to laugh out loud.
“I am so very happy that I amuse you so.” He said, looking unashamed and raising his voice so that all could see his defiance.
“ What will you do for entertainment after I am gone, eh? Nonetheless, I am not joking. The first person to bring me a sturdy pair of sandals shall have everything in my store.”
Elijah felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
“Will these do?”
He turned to see an older man holding a pair of sandals up for his inspection. Elijah took them and tugged at the straps and checked the soles for wear. Finally he put them on and tested them a bit by walking around in circles.
“What is your name sir?”
 “I am Benjamin of Gilead.”
 Elijah smiled. “ And I am Elijah. Gilead?  You’re a tishbite! Did you know-”
 Benjamin wrinkled his brow and raised his hand to interrupt him.“ I was born there that’s all. We moved to Bethel about a week later. I really should stop referring to myself that way. It’s not good for the resume.”
“Where you were born is nothing to be ashamed of. In any event, I’m happy at least that it will be a fellow countryman who will benefit from my headfirst leap into poverty, rather than one of these snakes.”
Elijah looked down at his new sandals. “These will do nicely.”
He reached into his cloak and pulled out a parchment. “This gives you everything I have, Benjamin. But I have something to tell you that is even more valuable.”
Benjamin’s eyes narrowed. “First, tell me why a man trades all that he has for a pair of used sandals?”
Elijah looked back at his shop, where he had struggled for so many years.
“ I have something to do- something very important.”
“God’s will, right?”
Elijah snapped to attention. “How did you”- 
Benjamin snapped the parchment from Elijah and stuffed it into a leather pouch.

looking to get your store back. So I’ll tell you now. Don’t bother. I’m not a generous or forgiving person.”
Elijah grinned.“ Me neither. Never had enough money.  Don’t worry; I won’t be coming back any time soon. But I do have some good advice, whether I’m crazy or not, that you would do well to take. Sell this shop and everything you cannot carry. Pack up your entire family, your brothers, your sisters, your wives, all of them and go to Egypt while you still can.”
Benjamin just starred at him for a few moments before breaking out in uncontrolled laughter.
“And I am supposed to take this advice from someone who traded everything they had for a pair of sandals-no- used sandals! You may be crazy, but I’m not.”
His mood shifted and Benjamin stopped laughing.
“Besides-” A small tear formed in the corner of one eye, quickly brushed away without thought. “I have no family. Listen, I’ll be by tomorrow to take it over. Please have all of your personal stuff gone by then. I’ve got to go.”
Elijah felt some unknown kinship with this stranger. He called after him.
“I don’t have much of one myself.”
Benjamin stopped and sighed heavily. He turned, cocked his head to one side and folded his arms against his chest. He stood like that for a few moments and the shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. “ I’ll give you one minute.”
Elijah grew very serious. He locked his eyes on the old man, put his hands on his shoulders and whispered.
“This land will soon be under a terrible curse. Many will die, young and old.  Many more will suffer in terrible agony and pray for death. These fat merchants, you among them if you choose to stay, will soon find themselves bankrupt and fighting for their lives. No one will be able to escape unharmed, not even the Kings themselves.”
Something in Elijah’s tone sent shivers down Benjamin’s spine. He tried to look away from him but could not.
 “And who will be responsible for this.” He asked, voice quivering with fear?
Elijah’s stone face began to soften. His lips trembled and tears began to trickle down his face. “I will.”

Continued Next Week