Orna leans hard on Nokh’s chest. His amazing arms, lithe and fragrant, wrap around her. She wonders,
‘Would I want to live without my lover’s caresses?’
These are the times when they talk. Enoch does not tell her all the details of his encounter with Azar; now they are making another journey. He is not sure she could handle a full account of the attack.
He hopes this is the trip in which they will decide about their future. Together they walk, hand in hand. Orna, great with another baby, still strong in spirit, is weakened terribly carrying this child.
She knows something different moves within her body. Her mind, determined to follow God, perseveres with purpose and contentment. She struggles with each step. Enoch gives all the help she needs. They make slow progress heading upstream toward the source of life.
They have reached as far west as they have ever gone.
‘The ones with whom we’ve shared stories, meals, sacrifices, and protection for the nights, have encouraged me to follow God’s way more closely than I have before.’
Enoch’s troubled foreboding almost conquers him.
‘I feel alone tonight for some reason. God, please don’t leave me. I need you!’
Relief comes when Nokh finds an unbelievably gorgeous place for the night. Other travelers tell that the closer they go to Eden, the greater the delights; now they experience if for themselves. The trees, the waters and flowers, the colors amaze.
Awesome, indescribable glory surrounds them. After lingering over their evening meal, not too shabby considering the time they had been on the trail, they prepare for sleep.
Orna says,
‘Nokh this has been the best day of my life. I dream of living here the rest of our time together.’
Then they snuggle into their bed. Talking with God and one another, comfortable that the Lord’s plans for them are perfect, they drift into peaceful sleep.
But not for long!
‘What’s wrong? Orna! You need help!’
She wakes suddenly in great distress. Mournful cries shatter the quietness.
‘The baby is coming. God will help us! He promised we would be saved through childbearing.’
‘Orna! My beloved! Oh, God! Help us!’
How could this be happening now? Orna has delivered many sons and daughters after Methuselah. Each birth was easier. God has blessed them.
Friends often say,
‘Your quiver is full.’
This sentiment pleases Nokh because he made his living crafting arrows. His is the best. And everyone agrees that Orna’s children are as fine as any in the land.
No time to talk now. Some dreadful thing is sucking the life out of her. Blood, sweat, too much fluid, ripping flesh – broken words.
‘I love you, Lord! Thank you for our children. May they believe in you. I do not want them to live the way of the wicked. Deliver them!’
Then, a final gurgle, lungs collapse, words cease – there is no more breath.
‘God gives, and God takes away the breath of life.’
Silence is more than Enoch can bear – silence screaming in the dark, tears blocking sight, total darkness. All alone – fear and dread his only companions.
Enoch lays his helpmeet, companion, completer, fitted just for him on her final bed. Softest, freshest, adorned with flowers received Orna’s body.
‘She is not complete without her body.’
God had instructed his people that death is a temporary separation of body from soul. Enoch sees that the unity God created is now broken.
Cut cords bleed if they are not tied off quickly. This one does not pulse. He goes through the motions. He had done it many times before. Animals begin stirring. Birds rustle in their nests. Darkness continues.
‘I will wait till light to finish. Now, I will hold the baby.’
Nokh cradles his newborn son in his arms, warmth of his own body giving warmth to the boy. He named him Mattawn – God’s final gift.
Death is not new to Enoch and his family. They have experienced it as much as others. They know it is the result of Adam’s sin.
It is an enemy. Nokh hates death as much as he hates sin. Now he despises it more than ever.
‘God, I am weak. Help me! I want my son to live.’
He cries out!
Light brings life. Birds bobble with song; waters dance in morning gleam; flowers stand tall with majestic beauty; warmth spreads.
‘He is alive! I feel his flesh warm against mine. Mattawn! A gift from God.’
Enoch will not turn back. He has come too far. The ones he will meet near the garden can help him.
They believe in God like he does. Their belief gives hope.
‘Will I ever understand death? His mother gave her life so her son could live.’