A Cucumber, that’s no cuckoo!
Who would think that an Echinoderm with an innocuous name, even without a spine could be rich in so many nutrients and even more richer in flavor? ‘Sea Cucumber’ from Costco was the subject for our dinner experiment and the source of a thought that materialized in the form of this post.
These squishy creatures bury themselves deep in the sand of the ocean floor, no matter the depth. They belong to the family of invertebrates, characterized by a lack of spine – not to be mistaken by a lack of defense. Defend they will, when need arises, rising out the comfort of the sand, fierce, savage, untamed, eviscerating, if needed – ready to strangle mercilessly.Appearances, they say are deceptive. So are stereotypical opinions, based on baseless conventions. And so this Sea Cucumber dinner shed light on an astonishingly courageous story of an otherwise obscured woman.
It was as a ‘cry,’ from that wise woman; ‘Peaceful’ and ‘Faithful’ are the adjectives she described herself with. She comes from a place where, when a counsel is sought, the matter ended.
Reasoning was the name of her game. The conversation was with a relentless warrior. One who had just eliminated a fellow warrior through chicanery. “Are you in health, my Brother?” was the initial question, rhetorical. A sharp, unexpected, merciless stab quickly followed. Innocent blood was shed. Sin’s ugly face glimmered again.
In the midst of extreme chaos and the impending destruction of a city, rightfully called Abel, meaning ‘breath’ in Hebrew, was that woman, who sought to discern with that relentless warrior.
“Why would you do that? To a city, considered a ‘mother,’ where wisdom prevails and rightful advice is sealed.” is the paraphrased plea. Simple, straightforward, yet inviting a thought – an avenue to open up reasoning, that every person has been endowed with by the Creator. That very reasoning that we may choose to shun, for conceited, self-propelling reasons. The final blow came by invoking the fear of the Lord Himself! “His inheritance is what you seek to destroy,” she said, which extrapolates to – HIS judgement is what you will have to face – an aggressive appeal made to that inherent fear of divine retribution. And that was enough.
The reply came with an expression that denies even the remote sense of intention. “Far be it..” It’s not the city, that was sought to be battered, but the traitor behind its walls.
The solution, came swiftly, thanks to reasoning unmasked by fear or hesitation. Sacrificing the traitor for saving the sacred, requires prompt, courageous reply. The defector’s head will be thrown over the very wall they were about to tear down.
Talks, council, backed by pure wisdom followed. Job done. Trumpet blown. Army rested. Warrior went back to the King. Yes, matter sealed.
Dinner served. Lips smacked. God praised! Wisdom is HIS’ and it is that we ought to seek.