THE HOLY BIBLE
TELEPLAY EDITION
Episode 1004
“Broken Towers”
by
George Willson
Based on the novel by God
TEASER
EXT. NOAH’S VINEYARD – DAY
SUPER: “1986 Anno Mundi”
Abram, 39, walks through Noah’s vineyards
with Noah, 930.
ABRAM
Father
Noah, I have listened to
all you have told me about our
God, and I know he exists in
the heavens, but where is he?
NOAH
Abram,
the Lord has given you an
understanding heart and great
wisdom. You know the works of
this generation are in vain, and
all their gods are prayed to
to no avail. They have forgotten
God
and serve gods of wood and
stone and rebel all their days.
ABRAM
I
understand, but I don’t.
NOAH
It
is the nature of God to conceal
himself until you are ready to
find him. Search for Him. You
will find Him.
ABRAM
Yes,
sir.
Noah walks away leaving Abram alone in his
vineyard. Abram walks
out of the vineyard to the very borders of Noah’s land. He
stands looking upward at the sun, as if pondering it.
ABRAM
Perhaps
this sun which shines upon
the whole earth is God, and him
will I serve.
Abram kneels to the ground and raises his
hands praying to the
sun. Time passes quickly as Abram praises the sun in pantomime.
Darkness falls on the land as the sun goes
away.
Abram looks at the sky. He shakes his head.
ABRAM
No,
this can’t be God.
Abram rises to his feet and looks into the
heavens.
ABRAM
Who
is he that made the heavens and
the earth? Who created man upon the
earth? Where is he?
Abram looks at the moon and the stars.
ABRAM
Perhaps
the moon is the God who
reigns over us and created man as
well as the earth. And these stars
are other gods who serve him.
As before, Abram kneels to the ground and
raises his hands
praying to the moon. Time passes quickly as Abram praises the
moon in pantomime. Sunlight splashes across the land again as
the sun returns.
Abram looks up again, curiously. He shakes
his head.
ABRAM
No,
these are not gods that created
the earth and all mankind, but these
are the servants of God Almighty.
Abram bows his head again.
ABRAM
God
who created the heavens and the
earth and all mankind and the moon
and the stars and the sun above. I
do not know where you are, but I
know you exist. Grant to me the
understanding and wisdom I need to
be a light for you in this
generation of darkness and always
stand by you in my darkest hours
that wait ahead.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
A large group of people enter the
Nimrod, now 79, sits on his throne with an
entourage of
bodyguards and women around him. Terah, aged to 109,
Nimrod’s
prince of armies and Abram’s father, stands beside him.
The group who walked in is led by four very
old people, the sons
of Ham: PUT,
are accompanied by a large number of their relations. Nimrod
does not appear to be surprised at such a suddenly large number
of people before him. Terah seems rather taken aback by them.
TERAH
My
lord, is this expected?
NIMROD
(to Terah)
It
is. There is a great plan in
the making. I have heard of it
already although they may suspect
I
have not.
TERAH
How
do you know?
NIMROD
Several reasons, my prince of armies.
I
reign securely, and all the earth
is under my control.
(indicating
That
man is my father, and those
descended from him are my own family.
They
keep me informed.
TERAH
Your
rule is that of wisdom.
NIMROD
Of
course it is.
Nimrod stands before them.
NIMROD
Welcome,
my father, my uncles, and my
family. Your coming is not entirely
unexpected, and I look forward to your
words.
My
son and my king, the earth is under
your control, and it seems there is no
one you do not rule. The enemies of are
the
easily.
NIMROD
You
speak the truth, my father. Continue.
However,
before you are able to crush
your enemies, they attack your brethren,
and destroy our cities, scattering us
and forcing us to settle in areas far
from where we began.
NIMROD
Where
are these enemies so I can crush
them! Terah prepare your men.
Terah starts to leave, but
Wait.
We have a plan that may please you.
We
should build ourselves a great city,
and in this city, a strong tower – its
top reaching into the heavens. We will
make ourselves famous among all the
people of the world. We will reign upon
the whole world so the evil of our
enemies will cease. You will reign
mightily on them, and we will not be
scattered on account of their wars.
Nimrod waves Terah back.
NIMROD
Tell
me about this tower.
As
our lord is divine by his very
nature - greater than even I, the
humble man who fathered him – this
tower will reach into the heavens,
so rather than defeat our enemies,
you may take over the seat of the
gods themselves, and you will rule
the earth from heaven.
Nimrod smiles, standing.
NIMROD
Yes.
It is not fitting that I should
stay on the earth, while the gods
reign over me. I should reign over
them, for I am greater than they are.
The people nod and agree.
NIMROD
Very well. Let’s find ourselves a
good location for this city. We will
build it and the tower into heaven
as its centerpiece.
EXT. OPEN COUNTRY – MONTAGE – DAY
Terah and his men gallop into the various
areas of the country.
around the country. They all stop at various locations
apparently discussing how to go about building the
city. Terah
stops at the top of an overlook and looks into a valley. Terah
smiles.
END MONTAGE
EXT. VALLEY OVERLOOK – DAY
Terah stands at the overlook of the valley he
stopped at only a
moment ago. With him are Nimrod, Put,
along with several members of their families.
NIMROD
This
is your recommendation for our
city which will be the center of
the world.
TERAH
Yes,
my lord. We have discussed it
at length and find there is none
like it. We are only a two days’
walk east of the
NIMROD
It
is perfect. Make it happen.
Nimrod walks away. Terah follows.
Alright. Everyone get the rest of
your families, and get them here.
Bake
bricks! Burn fires! Build the
city and the tower we envisioned!
The people cheer.
SUPER: “1995 Anno Mundi”
The city has been built. A large tower is
under construction in
the center of the city. It has an enormous base (about a third
of the way up the tower was supposed to be a 3 days’ walk in
circumference) that takes up most of the valley, like a
huge
mountain growing to the heavens. The pinnacle of the tower is
extremely high already.
Workers on the top continue their efforts to
extend the height
of it. An endless stream of other workers walk up and down the
height of the tower carrying bricks and mortar to those on the
top.
Nimrod walks through the halls of the tower
overlooking the
landscape far, far below through windows. Terah walks
with him.
The view is breathtaking and stretches for
many, many miles. One
can see to
NIMROD
This
is a thing of beauty, isn’t it,
Terah?
TERAH
It
is, my lord. Your genius is
unparalleled.
NIMROD
From
here, I can observe my full
domain – all that is under my
rule and control. Our enemies
dare not attack us with this
as our vantage.
TERAH
Your
tower is frightening to all
who would oppose you.
NIMROD
We
must return to
not live here until it is
completed.
TERAH
Of course not. One such as yourself
would not live in an incomplete
tower like this, regardless of its
obvious majesty.
NIMROD
Exactly
right. Do we know happened
to the arrows we fired into heaven
earlier?
TERAH
I
know they came down. They landed
several levels down. Others went
to the ground.
NIMROD
Let’s
go.
Nimrod and Terah exit a side door.
EXT.
Outside the tower, Nimrod and Terah descend
down an endless
series of steps down the side of the tower.
NIMROD
How
are the workers doing?
TERAH
They
continue to the heavens, my
lord. Our casualties have been
minimal.
NIMROD
I
don’t care about the men. How
many bricks have they broken.
TERAH
Extreme
care is, of course,
exercised with the bricks. But they
have still broken quite a few.
NIMROD
Unacceptable!
As if on command, a brick falls from the
tower.
VOICE
FROM ABOVE
Look
out!
The brick smashes two levels below Nimrod. He
and Terah run down
the steps to the broken brick. Several men gather around it,
like they would a fallen comrade. A HANDY MAN gathers the pieces
together.
NIMROD
(with concern)
Is
it all right? Can it be repaired?
HANDY
MAN
I
will do what I can. I think I
can put it back together, my
lord.
NIMROD
Do
so with all haste.
The Handy Man nods and picks up the pieces in
a bag. He carries
it down the tower.
TERAH
Should
we try to determine who
dropped it?
They both look up to the top of the tower far
above them. They
look at each other for a moment. Nimrod shrugs.
NIMROD
No,
I think they’ll receive their
punishment from the gods in time.
Terah nods and they walk down the tower.
Suddenly, a scream issues from high overhead.
A MAN falls down
the tower, hitting the growing sides and bouncing off it as he
falls. His screaming stops after a couple of bounces, but he
continues falling. No one stops working or pays this
any
attention.
He lands finally on a ledge. Another man
walks out and kicks the
body off, letting it continue to fall to the ground.
NIMROD
We
do have someone at the bottom
to clean that up, don’t we?
TERAH
Of course. We don’t want a mess
at the foot of our great tower.
Nimrod and Terah continue their descent.
NIMROD
Where
did the arrows we fired into
the heavens land?
TERAH
Not
far from here I believe.
Terah signals a nearby work who is walking down the tower.
TERAH
You
there! Where did the arrows
fired into heaven land?
WORKER
Over there, my lord.
Terah and Nimrod walk over to where several
arrows are lying on
the side of the tower. Several workers are looking at them.
Terah walks over and picks one up. The arrows
are covered in
blood.
TERAH
King
Nimrod, look! The arrows are
covered in blood.
NIMROD
Hah!
Then we have slain all those
who are in heaven. Continue working!
This
tower must reach to heaven so
I
can war against those who remain
and ascend into heaven to rule!
The men scatter and continue their work.
Nimrod and Terah sit atop their horses and
overlook the city.
NIMROD
Look
at it, Terah. Soon, it will be
complete, and I will rule the heavens
and all the earth.
TERAH
Yes,
my lord.
EXT. HEAVEN
In the stunning brightness of heaven, seventy
angels stand
before the throne of God. God remains an intangible light.
GOD
Mankind
has labored many years to
create a thing to ascend into heaven.
The
motives of his heart are impure
and rebellious. If as one people
speaking the same language they have
begun to do this, then nothing they
plan to do will be impossible for
them. Come, let us go down and
confuse their language so they will
not understand each other.
As god speaks, the angels descend to the
earth, flying through
the air without wings.
The angels swirl around the tower, unseen by
the line of
workers. One of the workers is paying attention and bumps into
another one.
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
Excuse
me.
SPANISH
WORKER 1
Què dijo usted?
(What
did you say?)
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
What
did you say?
SPANISH
WORKER 1
¿Trata usted luchar conmigo?
(Are
you trying to fight with me?)
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
Hey,
what’s your problem?
GERMAN
WORKER 1
Auf
was geht?
(What
is going on?)
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
What?
SPANISH
WORKER 1
Què?
(What?)
GERMAN
WORKER 1
Ich weiß nicht
was Sie sagen aber
hinter darf arbeiten!
(I
do not know what you are saying
but get back to work!)
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
You
better stop playing with me
or you are dead.
GERMAN
WORKER 1
Was?
Bedrohen Sie
(What?
Are you threatening me?)
SPANISH
WORKER 1
¡Callate!
(Be
quiet!)
The Spanish worker swings at the English
worker who ducks. The
Spanish Worker strikes an FRENCH WORKER ahead
of them.
FRENCH
WORKER 1
Hey!
Pourquoi avez-vous fait cela ?
(Hey!
Why did you do that?)
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
Stop
talking like that.
The English Worker grabs the French Worker
and knocks him into
the Spanish Worker, throwing them both screaming off the tower.
GERMAN
WORKER 1
Sie können das
nicht machen!
(You
can not do that!)
ENGLISH
WORKER 1
You
want to be next?
Understanding the universal language of the
fist, the German
Worker backs off.
Elsewhere on the tower, other arguments are
ensuing because no
one can understand anyone else.
Nimrod and Terah observe the ensuing chaos
and look confused.
TERAH
What’s
happening, my lord.
NIMROD
I
don’t know, Terah.
Suddenly, an earthquake shakes them from
their mounts. The
horses run away.
NIMROD
What
the-
The ground beneath the tower splits open. Men
fall from the
heights of the tower hitting the various levels and fall into
the fissure.
The tower itself sinks into the ground. As it
sinks, fire comes
out of heaven and burns up the top third of the tower. Men run
aimlessly around screaming.
Nimrod and Terah watch in horror as their
dream sinks into the
ground and goes up in flames all at the same time.
The tower continues to sink until one-third
of the tower is
beneath the surface. The earth closes sealing off the lower part
of the tower. The part that remains is still huge in
circumference, but it is only a smoking third of what
began.
In the aftermath, bodies are everywhere.
People are beginning to
pick up the pieces of the destruction. Even now, though, people
are unable to communicate with each since they speak different
languages.
Slowly, people begin to understand those who
speak their
languages and they all split up and go their separate
ways.
EXT. VALLEY OVERLOOK – DAY
Nimrod and Terah sit in shock, staring at
what remains of their
achievement. Nimrod frowns and stands.
NIMROD
The
gods did not approve of this
venture. Let’s return to
TERAH
Yes,
lord.
Nimrod walks away. Terah pauses a moment to
look back at the
destruction. For a moment, he gazes into heaven, but
turns away
and follow Nimrod.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
EXT. NOAH’S VINEYARD – DAY
SUPER: “1997 Anno Mundi”
Noah, Shem, and Abram walk across the
vineyard to its borders.
Abram is dressed for traveling.
NOAH
It
has been two years since God
confounded our one language into
many because of the sin of Nimrod.
He
reigns now in
himself named the city where his
tower fell, and your father
remains the prince of his armies.
SHEM
It
is there that you must go
first. It will be a difficult
journey.
not a safe country for one who
fears God.
ABRAM
It
will, but if I remain here, I
will not be doing the work God
intends me to do. It was God’s will
that I should be separated from my
family, but if I do not return, then
they will be lost with the rest of
mankind.
SHEM
God
has a plan for you. Whatever it
is, you must always follow him to
accomplish it.
ABRAM
I
will.
NOAH
Take
care, Abram. God will be with
you.
Noah hugs Abram. Shem hugs him next.
SHEM
Walk
in His ways, brother.
ABRAM
I
will. Good-bye.
NOAH
& SHEM
Good-bye.
Abram walks away from Noah’s vineyard. Noah
and Shem look after
him.
NOAH
The
salvation of the world rest on
his shoulders.
SHEM
He
knows.
They turn back to their home.
In the valley east of
around the enormous ruins of the middle third of the
Terah, stood 2 years earlier.
He takes a deep breath. Walks
down the slope into the city.
Abram walks through the city. As he nears the
palace, he stops a
PASSERBY coming out of it.
ABRAM
Excuse me, I'm looking for the home
of Terah, the prince of Nimrod's
armies.
PASSERBY
Over there.
Abram spots the house off to the side of the
palace.
ABRAM
Thanks.
PASSERBY
Whatever.
Abram walks over to the house and
knocks. SARAI answers.
SARAI
Yes?
ABRAM
Hello. I'm Abram, son of Terah.
SARAI
I'm Sarai, also of Terah. Who
is your mother?
ABRAM
My mother is Amhelo. Is she still
alive?
SARAI
Yes, she is. She is here with my
mother, Kedurah.
ABRAM
May I come in?
SARAI
Oh, yes. I'm sorry.
ABRAM
It's ok. We're strangers to each
other.
SARAI
But you are my brother, so I should
welcome you.
Abram enters the dwelling.
INT. TERAH'S HOUSE - DAY
The house is set up similarly to the one in
him in, and he stops in the main living area.
SARAI
If you'll give me a moment, I will
get your mother, Amhelo.
ABRAM
Thank you.
Sarai leaves him. Abram looks around the room. He spots an open
door down the hallway. Beyond the door, a few statues can be
seen. Amehelo enters, followed by Sarai and Kedurah.
AMHELO
Abram? Oh, Abram, you've returned!
Amhelo embraces him.
AMHELO
Let me look at you. Well, goodness,
the last forty years have been good
to you. You've been with Noah?
ABRAM
Yes. We felt it was time I returned.
AMHELO
Yes, I'm sure it will be fine. I
think that whole sordid incident
has been forgotten.
ABRAM
I imagine so.
AMHELO
You've met Sarai, your half-sister?
ABRAM
I have.
AMHELO
And this is her mother, Kedurah.
ABRAM
Glad to meet you.
KEDURAH
Likewise.
The group stands uncomfortably for a moment.
KEDURAH
Well, Sarai and I have some work to
do. We'll give you some time to
catch up.
AMHELO
Thank you, Kedurah.
Kedurah and Sarai leave. Sarai
steals a final glance to Abram.
He smiles at her as she leaves.
AMHELO
I'm so glad you're back. I've missed
you.
ABRAM
And I have missed you as well. How is
my father?
AMHELO
Still leading the armies of Nimrod.
You must have so many questions. We
didn't have a lot of time to teach
you of our world before Terah took
you to Noah. So much has happened...
ABRAM
I
do have a question.
AMHELO
Anything.
ABRAM
What is in here?
He leads her down the hall.
AMHELO
Oh, this is the chamber of the gods.
Abram opens the door to find 12 gods of wood
and stone set in 12
little temples. There are many others without number filling the
room. Abram's brow furrows as his anger regarding this builds.
ABRAM
The gods, eh?
AMHELO
Oh, yes. You should ask your father
when he returns. He can tell you
all about them. He'll be so happy
to see you.
ABRAM
And I him.
AMHELO
Let me get you something to eat.
You must have had a long journey.
ABRAM
Yes, thank you, mother.
Amhelo runs off. Abram looks around the room, and hits the door
in anger.
INT. TERAH'S HOUSE - LATER
Abram sits at the table in the dining area.
Terah enters. He
glances over to see Abram sitting at the table, watching him.
TERAH
Abram?
Nahor follows Terah in and looks over to
Abram.
TERAH
My dear Abram, it is so good to
see you again.
Terah embraces him.
TERAH
Amhelo! Prepare a feast. We will
celebrate his return.
AMHELO
Is that wise, my husband?
Terah thinks a moment.
TERAH
Perhaps you're right. We will have
a private family feast for the
return of my son. Nahor, go tell
celebrate the return of your
youngest brother.
NAHOR
At once.
INT. TERAH'S HOUSE - DAY
Around the table (clockwise) sits Terah, Amhelo, Abram, Nahor,
daughter), Sarai, and Kedurah
(who sits next to Terah). Abram
and Sarai sit across from each other.
Terah sits at the head of
the table. The other head is empty.
Terah stands.
TERAH
My beloved family. Fifty years
ago, we were forced to divide
our family by sending my youngest
son Abram away to protect him
from the fury of our king Nimrod.
The
gods blessed us seven years
later when my eldest,
had his son,
he had Milcah. It was ten years
later, before Amhelo returned
from her mountain cave exile, I
took Kedurah as a second wife, and
just after I returned, we had
Sarai.
(MORE)
TERAH (CONT’D)
And
now, after forty more years,
Abram
has returned to us from the
house of Noah. Abram, is there
anything you would like to share
with the family?
Terah sits. Abram stands.
ABRAM
Thank you, father. Although I was
born to this family, I am like a
stranger in a land I’ve never known.
I
come with many questions and
hopefully many answers based on
lessons of our distant past.
What
kind of lessons?
ABRAM
The
world was destroyed by a flood
many years ago. There were reasons
for its destructions. We must be
careful not to repeat those mistakes.
TERAH
The
gods were wise in their judgments.
Now
we serve them faithfully, one for
each of our months of the year. They
will not destroy us again.
Abram quietly sits down.
SARAI
Will
you tell us more of this?
ABRAM
Another time.
TERAH
Of course. Now, it’s time to eat.
Sarai smiles at Abram. He smiles in return.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Abram sits at a chair near a window, looking
out at the moon and
stars. Terah enters and stands near him.
TERAH
What
is it, Abram? What are you
looking at?
ABRAM
The moon. The stars. How wondrous
they are.
TERAH
So
have you finished your stay with
Noah?
ABRAM
I
have.
TERAH
How
was it?
ABRAM
It
was ... enlightening.
TERAH
Then
what brings you back here?
ABRAM
I
have to ask you something.
TERAH
I
would be honored to answer anything
you have to ask.
ABRAM
Father,
tell me where is God who
created heaven and earth, and all
the sons of men upon earth, and who
created you and me.
Terah smiles and places his hand on his son’s
shoulder.
TERAH
My
son, those who created us are
all with us in the house.
ABRAM
Really? Would you show them to me?
TERAH
Nothing
would give me more pleasure.
Terah leads Abram down the hall to his room
of idols. He opens
the door to the room already familiar to Abram. Abram feigns
wonder at the gods.
TERAH
Look,
these are the god who made all
that you see on all the earth, and
that created you and me and all
mankind.
Terah then bows to his gods and worships
then. Abram stands
behind him, looking on with remorse. After a moment, Terah
stands.
TERAH
In
time, I will teach you how the
gods wish you to worship them.
ABRAM
Thank
you.
Terah leaves. Abram follows.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – DAY
Abram walks up to Amhelo.
ABRAM
Mother,
my father has shown me
those who have made heaven and
earth and all the sons of men.
Now,
quickly bring me a goat from
the flock and make of it a savory
meat, so I can bring it to my
father’s gods as an offering for
them to eat. Maybe I can become
acceptable to them.
AMHELO
Of course. Give me only a
moment to prepare it.
ABRAM
Thank
you.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – CHAMBER OF THE GODS –
LATER
Abram, as reverently as possible, carries the
prepared meat into
the chamber and sets it before the gods. Abram sits before them,
watching them. He glances from one to the other, as if waiting
for one of them to do something.
ABRAM
Hm. Perhaps the savory meat I
prepared for them has not pleased
them. Maybe it is too little for
them, and that’s why they refuse
to eat.
He looks among them again.
ABRAM
Very well. Tomorrow I will prepare
fresh meat – better tasting and
more of it, so that they may find
it acceptable and eat.
Abram takes the meat away and leaves the
room.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – DAY
Amhelo, again, is working on the house. Abram approaches her.
ABRAM
Mother,
in order to please my
father’s gods, I require more
meat of the flocks. Perhaps we
may have the meat of three of
the goats.
AMHELO
I
will prepare it for you.
ABRAM
Thank you, mother.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – CHAMBER OF THE GODS –
DAY
As before, Abram walks into the chamber with
the meat, now three
times the former amount. He places it before the gods. He waits
and watches them.
ABRAM
I
bring you more of the savory
meat, and still you refuse to
stretch out your hand.
He watches them a moment longer.
ABRAM
Perhaps
I am being impatient. I
am sorry. I’ll wait.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – CHAMBER OF THE GODS –
NIGHT
Abram remains where he is, watching the gods
and the meat.
Nothing happens. Suddenly, Abram stands as if
imbued with power.
ABRAM
Woe
to my father and this wicked
generation, whose hearts are inclined
to vanity, who serve these idols of
wood and stone which can neither eat,
smell, hear nor speak-who have mouths
without speech, eyes without sight,
ears without hearing, hands without
feeling and legs which cannot move!
Like
them are those who made them and
that trust in them.
Abram walks out of the room. He returns with
a hatchet.
He uses the hatchet to chop up the gods of
wood and smash the
gods of stone. He avoids touching the large god before the meat.
He destroys every god in the room in his anger.
EXT. TERAH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Terah pauses outside his door, hearing the
noise issuing from
within. He quickly enters.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – CHAMBER OF THE GODS –
NIGHT
Abram finishes his task. He sets the hatchet
in the hand of the
great god he did not touch. With a smile, he turns to leave.
The door slams open. Terah stands in the
doorway. He stands
shocked. Abram looks at his father for a moment. He walks out of
the room.
ABRAM
Excuse
me.
Unable to move or speak, Terah allows Abram
to leave. Terah
touches the large god with the hatchet. He looks at the meat. He
looks at the hatchet. He looks at all his smashed gods.
His surprise turns to anger. He storms out of
the room.
INT. TERAH’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Abram sits, waiting for Terah. He is very
relaxed and even a
little amused by what he has done. Terah charges into the room,
smoking mad.
TERAH
What
did you do to my gods?
ABRAM
Me?
Why do you think I destroyed
them?
TERAH
You
were there? Who else could have
done it?
ABRAM
Oh,
no person destroyed them, father.
I
brought meat before them to eat, and
when I did, they all stretched out
their hands to eat before the great
one did. When the great one saw they
were working against him, his anger
boiled against them. So he took the
hatchet that was in the house, and
destroyed them all. Surely you saw
the hatchet in his hand, didn’t you?
Terah looks at Abram, incredulously.
TERAH
What?!
You know that story isn’t true.
Why
would you lie to me? Are there
spirits in these gods or soul or
power to do what you have just said?
They’re
just wood and stone that I
created myself. How can you say that
the large one destroyed the others?
It
was you that destroyed my gods
and placed the hatchet in the great
one’s hand.
Abram looks at his father curiously.
ABRAM
So
you serve idols in which lies no
power to do anything? Can you trust
these idols to deliver you? Do they
hear your prayers when you call on
them? Can they deliver you from your
enemies when they can neither see
nor hear? Are you so silly, so
foolish, or so short of understanding
that you and the sons of men would
forget the Lord God who made heaven
and earth, and who created you, and
serve wood and stone like this?
(MORE)
ABRAHAM (CONT’D)
Didn’t
our fathers in the days of old
sin like this when the Lord God of the
universe brought the waters of the
flood upon them and destroyed the whole
earth? How can you continue to serve
gods of wood and stone that you
yourself created who can not hear, or
speak, or deliver you from oppression
and thereby bring the anger of the
only God of the universe upon you.
Abram walks back into the Chamber of the
gods. He removes the
hatchet from the hands of the great god.
ABRAM
My
father, turn away from this, and
do not bring evil down upon your
soul and the souls of your family.
Abram swings the hatchets and splits the
great god. Terah reacts
in shock and pain. Abram runs out with the hatchet.
INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM – NIGHT
Terah is knelt before the throne as Nimrod
enters from the rear.
NIMROD
Terah. What do you want?
Terah does not rise and keeps his head bowed.
TERAH
My
lord Nimrod, I beg of you to
hear me.
Nimrod sits. Terah rises.
NIMROD
I’m
listening.
TERAH
My
lord, fifty years ago, a child
was born to me. He has destroyed
my gods, and called me a fool to
worship them. Please my lord and
king, send for him so he will come
before you, and judge him according
to the law, so we may be delivered
from this evil.
Nimrod sits back on his throne and snaps his
fingers. Three
servants run up to him.
NIMROD
Go
find Abram, son of Terah. He
has defiled our gods and disobeyed
our laws.
The servants bow to Nimrod and run out.
Abram stands beside a temple of idols of
wood. A group of people
are around him. He still holds the hatchet in one hand.
ABRAM
If
this is your god that controls
all things, it should be able to
stop my hand from destroying it,
right?
The people stand silent. Their belief says
yes, but their logic
says no.
CROWD
MAN
The
god of protection is not there.
How
can that god be protected
without its partner?
ABRAM
Does
a god need another to serve as
its guard? Very well, bring its
protector and we shall see if it
can protect its master as well as
itself.
The king’s servants break up the group and
speak to Abram.
SERVANT
King
Nimrod has ordered you to the
palace.
ABRAM
Of course.
Abram swings the hatchet and lodges it in the
head of the wooden
god. The people gasp. Abram goes willingly with the servants.
INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM – NIGHT
Nimrod stands before Abram, looking down on
him from the throne.
Kederlaomer, another prince of Nimrod’s armies, stands
at
Nimrod’s side along with Terah.
NIMROD
What
is this thing you have done to
your father’s gods?
ABRAM
The
great god among the smaller ones
became angry when the smaller reached
for the meat before the greater could.
He
destroyed them. The hatchet was in
its hands.
NIMROD
These
things do not have the power to
speak or eat or even do what you have
said.
ABRAM
Then
why do you worship them?
NIMROD
What?
KEDERLAOMER
How
dare you speak to the king in
such a fashion!
ABRAM
If
there is no power in them, why do
you cause the sons of men to sin by
worshipping them? Do you think they
can do anything, small or great, and
this is why you serve them? Why won’t
you acknowledge the God of the whole
universe, who created you and in whom
is the power to kill and to keep alive?
Oh
foolish, simple, and arrogant king.
You
are cursed forever.
Nimrod stands in anger.
ABRAM
You
should have taught your servants
and people the righteous way, but
instead you have filled the whole earth
with your sins and the sins of your
people. Don’t you know that our
ancestors sinned in this way and that
the Lord God brought the flood on them
to destroy the whole earth? Turn away
from this evil and serve the God of the
universe. Your soul is in his hands.
Serve
him and it will be well with you.
NIMROD
Throw
him into prison!
Kederlaomer snaps his fingers. Servants come in from the
wings
to carry Abram off. He continues, undaunted.
ABRAM
If
your wicked heart will not listen
to my words so that you will leave
your evil ways, and serve the eternal
God,
then you will die in shame. You,
and your people...
(looks to Terah)
...and
all who are connected with you...
(back to Nimrod)
...hearing
your words or walking in
your ways.
NIMROD
I
said, get him out of here!
The servants drag him out.
ABRAM
God
sees the wicked, and he will
judge them.
They carry Abram out the door, and it closes
behind him.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
The group of Wise Men and Conjurers enter the
palace. Some are
the same ones that attended Terah’s party fifty years ago.
INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM – DAY
Nimrod stands before them in the midst of
explaining the
problem.
NIMROD
...and
when he spoke, he did so
boldly and without fear. His heart
did not fail him, and he did not
stir in my presence. He is
currently interred in my prison.
Tell
me what punishment should be
given to the man who reviled the
king, and who did and said all that
I
have told you.
The Wise Men and Conjurers turn to each
other.
WISE
MAN 1
The
man who reviles the king should
be hanged upon a tree.
CONJURER
3
But
having done all the things he
has done...
CONJURER
2
...and
said all that he has said...
WISE
MAN 2
...and
having despised our gods...
The Wise Men and Conjurers turn back to the
king.
CONJURER
1
In
this matter, the law is clear.
WISE
MAN 1
The
man must be burned to death.
WISE
MAN 3
If
it please the king, let him
order his servants to kindle a
fire both day and night for three
days and nights in his furnace.
CONJURER
2
And
then cast the man into it.
NIMROD
Let
it be done.
--A great furnace is placed in the midst of
the City of
near the ruins of the tower.
--Men stoke great fries within the furnace as
day changes to
night and back to day.
--People gather little by little around the
square and atop the
buildings to watch what is going on.
END MONTAGE
An enormous crowd sits around the furnace all
over the city
within sight of it. Nimrod, Terah, Kederlaomer,
the Wise Men,
and Conjurers stand a safe distance from the furnace awaiting
the arrival of Abram. In the crowd stands Amhelo,
Sarai, and
NIMROD
(addressing the crowd)
Fellow
Chaldeans of the City of
come to us destroying our gods and
trying to upset our way of life.
For
this crime, he has been sentenced
to death by fire.
The crowds cheer. Guards appear leading out
Abram, who is not
resisting them. The Wise Men and Conjurers see Abram,
they
realize who it is.
WISE
MAN 3
Wait,
this is the man who was born
to Terah fifty years ago?
NIMROD
It
is.
Terah realizes they know who Abram is, but is
powerless to quiet
them.
CONJURER
2
And
his name is Abram?
NIMROD
Yes.
WISE
MAN 1
My
king, this is the man we know
to have been the child at whose
birth the great star swallowed the
four stars which we declared to
the king at that time.
NIMROD
What?
He looks at Terah, who has become very
uncomfortable.
WISE
MAN 2
So
his father must have went against
your commands, and mocked you by
bringing another child, which you
killed.
NIMROD
You
have heard what the Wise Men
have spoken against you. Did you do
this thing? Speak the truth, and
it will not be held against you.
Terah takes a deep breath.
TERAH
What
your Wise Men have spoken against
me is true.
The Wise Men and Conjurers congratulate each
other on a wise
diagnosis.
NIMROD
Why?
How could you go against my orders,
give me a child who was not born to you,
and take value for him?
TERAH
Because
my tender feelings were excited
for my son, at that time, and I took a
son of my handmaid, and I brought him to
my king.
NIMROD
Who
told you to do this? If you do not
hide this from me, you will not die.
Terah looks over at his family. Amhelo is very nervous.
TERAH
It
was
to do this.
What?
NIMROD
me will die through fire with Abram.
For
the sentence of death is on him
for having rebelled against the king
for advising you to go against his
orders.
Nimrod signals to
family.
No.
This isn’t fair. I didn’t do
anything.
NIMROD
You
have been convicted. Your pleas
will not spare you.
their undergarments. Abram turns to him. The servants work to
tie their hands and feet.
ABRAM
If
you wish to live, you’d best
reconcile your heart to God.
I
had said to myself after you were
captured that if you prevail, I
would follow you, but if the king
prevails, I would follow the king.
ABRAM
How
do you stand now? With God or
with the king?
(angrily)
Against
my father for choosing
his life over mine.
ABRAM
That
is unfortunate.
Hands and feet tied, the servants signal to
Nimrod that they are
ready.
NIMROD
Now
is the time for your judgment.
Throw
them in.
The servants lift Abram and
them to the fire.
Intense heat radiates causing even the
faithful servants of
Nimrod to recoil from it. They back off from it, worried for
their own safety.
NIMROD
Throw
them in, now!
Someone fights the heat and goes to the door
of the furnace. The
servants carry Abram and
opens the door. The servants throw Abram and
belches out engulfing the servants in fire, killing them.
Nimrod stands in solemn victory. Terah is
unmoved. Amhelo is
crying on Nahor, along with Sarai and
The people slowly disperse.
INT. FURNACE – DAY
Lying on his back in the furnace, Abram looks
over to
looks at his bonds. They burn away into ashes from his hands and
feet.
He stands in the flames, untouched. He
kneels.
ABRAM
Thank
you, Lord God of the universe
for your protection in rescuing me
from certain death.
The town square is deserted. The fire still
burns with the
furnace. Two guards stands a short distance
from the furnace.
One of the guards glances over to it. Inside,
he sees Abram
walking around.
Shock registers and he figures out what he is
looking at.
INT. FURNACE – NIGHT
Barefoot, Abram walks in the fire. His
garments do not burn and
his feet do not scorch from the heat. He paces inside, waiting
for the time when he will be released.
EXT.
The guard signals to his partner.
GUARD
1
Look
in there.
GUARD
2
What
is it?
GUARD
1
The
man Nimrod threw in there is
walking around. He isn’t burned
up.
GUARD
2
By
the gods, you’re right!
GUARD
1
You
think we should report this to
Kederlaomer?
GUARD
2
Not
yet. Maybe he has thick skin.
GUARD
1
Yeah,
he has thick skin.
The two guards continue to watch Abram
walking back and for the
inside the furnace.
INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM – DAY
Kederlaomer stands before Nimrod with Guard 1. Nimrod
appears
confused.
NIMROD
He
is just walking around in there?
GUARD
1
Yes,
my king. He has not burned up.
his bonds have burned off his hands
and feet, and his brother has burned
up as well, but he lives.
NIMROD
This
is not possible. Servants!
A large number of servants stand before him.
NIMROD
Kederlaomer.
KEDERLAOMER
Yes,
my lord.
NIMROD
Take
these servants, go to the town
square to verify this man’s words.
Find
my Wise Men and Conjurers and
take them as well. I must know
whether this is true or not.
KEDERLAOMER
Yes,
my lord.
Kederlaomer and the servants bow and exit.
A crowd of people are around the furnace.
Nimrod is carried in.
Terah and Kederlaomer
walk with him. He looks at the furnace,
led by Wise Man 1.
WISE
MAN 1
You,
my lord, that he is in there,
but does not burn up. However,
his brother is dead.
KEDERLAOMER
We
are unable to explain this.
NIMROD
Guards!
Remove him from the furnace!
The guards approach the furnace, but the
flames wrap up around
the sides. They shrink back from the heat.
NIMROD
What
are you waiting for? Bring him
out! Now!
The guards approach the furnace, and the
flame lap around them,
killing 8 of them. The rest back away from the
furnace. Nimrod
looks at them in shock. He calls to Abram in the furnace.
NIMROD
Oh,
servant of the God who lives
in heaven, come out from the fire
and stand before me.
The door opens and Abram steps out.
Everything is intact except
the cords with which he was bound. He walks across the assembly
to Nimrod. He does not bow before him.
NIMROD
How
is it that you were not burned?
ABRAM
The
God of heaven and earth in whom
I
trust and who has all in his power
delivered me from the fire in which
you cast me.
Nimrod bows to Abram. Suddenly, all of the
people there bow down
to Abram, as if to worship him.
ABRAM
No!
Nimrod looks up.
ABRAM
Do
not bow down to me, but bow down
to the God of the world who made
you, and serve him, and go in his
ways for it is he who delivered me
out of this fire, and it is he who
created the souls and spirits of
all men, and formed man in his
mother’s womb, and brought him into
the world. It is he who will
deliver those who trust in him from
all pain.
Nimrod stands before Abram.
NIMROD
Your
God is the one true God of the
world. This is the most wonderful
thing this king has seen in all his
long years. You shall have my two
head servants as your own. Oni!
Eliezer!
ONI and ELIEZER come forward to the king.
Nimrod guides them to
Abram.
NIMROD
They
shall guide you to a house I
give to you as your own. You shall
live in peace with silver, gold,
and pearls which I will provide
you. All I ask is that you teach
me of this God, so I may worship
him as well.
ABRAM
I
will. Thank you.
NIMROD
Now
go in peace. Eliezer, take him
to the house near his father’s.
ELIEZER
Yes,
my lord.
Abram follows Eliezer
away from the furnace. The crowd follows
behind them as Abram walks through the city to his new house
beside the king’s palace.
END OF ACT THREE
Source Material:
From the Bible:
Genesis 11:1-9, 27, 28
From Extra-Canonical Works:
The Book of Jashar
9:1-39, 11:1-61, 12:1-42