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National
Prayer Network
THE PARABLE OF EVIL ABE
By Rev. Ted Pike
2 Oct 08
As my niece Harmony Grant and I continue to decry the depredations
of Jewish supremacism over Christian America—especially those
of the Anti-Defamation League and its national director, Abraham
H. Foxman—we continue to hear from some evangelicals: “Why
do we need to identify Foxman and Jewish supremacists as the driving
force behind most organized anti-Christianity and hate crime laws?
Isn’t it enough to oppose such evils in general terms—terms
which do not open Christians to the charge and reproach of anti-Semitism?” No
major Christian and conservative leaders name ADL as the creators
of hate crime laws or point out when other Jewish activist organizations
attack Christian beliefs or values.
Jesus often turned to parables to assist those who were slow to understand
or spiritually hard of hearing. Perhaps the following "Parable of
Evil Abe" will help Christians understand the need to boldly speak out.
In the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is Shepherd’s Valley, a fertile
vale about 20 miles long, populated today by prosperous and largely Christian
sheep farmers. Years ago, the valley hid a secret its citizens mentioned only
in whispers: One of its most prosperous landowners, known derisively as “Evil
Abe,” was in fact a ruthless and devious sheep-stealer! The bulk of his
flocks were gained by theft.
Almost everyone in the valley knew, yet never said a word. Evil Abe had formidable
power to punish anyone who might complain.
Through considerable craft and foresight, Evil Abe had ingratiated himself
into every level of county government. He was the head of the planning commission
and a drinking buddy of all three county commissioners; he feted local officials
at an annual hunt on his game-rich estate. He controlled interests in the local
radio station and newspaper. He was fast friends with the sheriff, who praised
him to all his deputies. Hardly any aspect of government and media of Shepherd’s
Valley was not, in some way, controlled or beholden to him. Evil Abe’s
public face was smiling and well-respected. Almost everyone outside the valley
was convinced of his goodness. Young men to this day are named Abe in his honor.
Those who lived in the valley knew the truth. Abe’s rustlers drove vans
into the valley on dark nights and stole thousands of sheep which they then
slaughtered and shipped out of state for sale.
The farmers learned from bitter experience that those who dared to publicly
name Abe as a sheep stealer faced terrible recriminations. Their barns would
mysteriously burn; their flocks were driven to the hills, to become prey of
cougars and bears; Abe’s vicious dogs would be sent into the flocks,
attacking lambs and tearing the udders of the ewes.
Once, in a café, a sheep farmer was overheard telling the loss of many
hundreds of sheep to Abe. That very night, his own flock was nearly destroyed;
days later his barn and many sheep-cotes were burned up. His phone rang with
death threats from mysterious callers; similar messages were pinned to his
fence posts. Every sheep farmer knew of similar experiences suffered by indiscrete
neighbors. Mostly, however, Abe rustled everyone’s sheep without provocation.
But the farmers didn’t rise in a chorus of accusation, complaining to
state or federal authorities. They agreed Evil Abe’s revenge was too
swift and terrifying to oppose. The sheep-raising community agreed to silence.
Most were Christians and some said Abe might be the Antichrist; maybe God wanted
them to wait for the Rapture to deliver them. Some said that because of the
valley's famous reputation for best quality mutton (especially suckling lamb),
controversy would only ruin their sheep industry. They agreed to blame their
staggering losses on the reintroduction of wolves to the Rockies or on cougars.
Was there a problem? You would never know it from the silence emanating from
the Christian leaders of Shepherd’s Valley.
But there was one exception. High in the Rocky foothills, away from the
babbling brooks and lush green meadows, lived a lowly shepherd. He didn’t
own any of the sheep he tended but loved them like he loved his own life. He
knew they would be neglected and mistreated if he abandoned them for a more
prosperous vocation.
One night, the shepherd woke to terrible bleating, barking, and sounds of trucks
below in the valley. Peering from the forest, he could not believe what he
saw in the headlights. Evil Abe, his dogs and men were slaughtering and stealing
sheep by the hundreds, packing their carcasses in trucks! After several hours,
they were gone. Many of the older rams and ewes remained, wounded, disemboweled,
or turned upside down, dying from fright.
What could one lowly shepherd do against one so evil, plus all the county government
and media? He returned to his cabin, sleepless with rage.
The shepherd vowed this must never again happen in Shepherd’s
Valley. Unlike the prosperous sheep owners, he had nothing to lose—only
his life. He vowed to tell the whole world that Evil Abe was a sheep rustler!
As the sun rose behind the granite peaks, he set off, calling loudly and angrily
to every farm or household he passed: “Evil Abe is a sheep stealer!” Farmers
gasped. Women gathered their children indoors. Even ferocious watchdogs turned
and slunk away in silence. Yet the shepherd continued, walking the length of
the valley, proclaiming his bold message to hundreds.
The following morning, after he arose to alert the other side of the valley,
a young woman ran to meet him. She said everyone was talking about him and
that she also was angry at Evil Abe. Could she join him? Together, the two
proclaimed, “Evil Abe is the sheep stealer!” to everyone they met.
They also climbed the huge crags overlooking the vale and shouted their message
so it echoed to vastly greater numbers. Their listeners were primarily rag-tag
laborers and lowly shepherds, who also had little to lose. By the second afternoon,
scores had joined in procession, also decrying the name of Evil Abe. The whole
valley was in uproar. This was not hidden from Evil Abe, the county commissioners
and the sheriff. Yet there was nothing they could do since the shepherd and
girl were now surrounded by hundreds of chanting supporters.
In short, word came to state officials, even the FBI. Hearing the charge that
Evil Abe was trafficking in stolen goods across state lines, they assumed jurisdiction.
FBI soon confirmed that his warehouses were full of the hides of sheep from
almost every farmer in the valley. Evil Abe was arrested, convicted and imprisoned.
Many in county government and even media were indicted and punished. With Evil
Abe removed, peace at last came to Shepherd’s Valley. Both sheep owners
and their flocks enjoyed abundance that continues today.
What turned the tide against Evil Abe’s oppressions? Clear identification
of his name, spoken boldly and publicly! As long as people remained silent,
claiming there was nothing they could do, he remained powerful. When they banded
together to speak the whole truth, he was destroyed.
After peace returned to Shepherd’s Valley, the lowly shepherd and girl
returned to their former lives and faded into obscurity. But there are still
many in the valley who remember what they did. Some even say that the same
approach should be tried against evil on a much larger scale. It might even
save America.
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative
watchdog organization.
Let the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith teach you how they
have saddled 45 states with hate laws capable of persecuting Christians: http://www.adl.org/99hatecrime/intro.asp.
Learn how ADL took away free speech in Canada and wants to steal
it now in the U.S. Congress. Watch Rev. Ted Pike's Hate
Laws: Making Criminals of Christians at video.google.com.
Purchase this gripping documentary to show at church. Order online
at www.truthtellers.org for
$24.90, DVD or VHS, by calling 503-853-3688, or at the address below.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on this
topic. Call (503) 631-3808.
National Prayer Network, P.O. Box 828, Clackamas,
OR 97015
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