Enoch walks as far upriver as he has ever gone. His inner being tells him, after many happy days, that the time has come to turn back.
Solitude is good for its intended purpose but God made us to live in harmony with one another. Upon arrival at the village, now thriving with vigorous youth, working families, and contented older ones Enoch says,
‘I am eager to tell you what God has revealed to me during my time upriver.’
Within a few days he shares.
‘God judges all sin. He must do this because he is holy. If he did not act against sin, his character would be flawed.’
All sin is against God’s character. Sin therefore is a form of rebellion against our holy creator.
That old serpent, the devil rebelled against God in the Heavens before the creation of the world. He will be judged for his sin. God says,
‘I have already pronounced judgment on him. In my time I will bring it to pass. Right now that wicked fallen angel has tremendous power on earth.’
It grieves God that he made man. No person can escape the corruption of sin in his own strength. All humans are alienated from the Lord.
Enoch concludes,
‘I wept for days and begged God to spare my family from destruction.’
Peace takes over Enoch’s mind when he realizes that his grief is God’s grief. He is weeping because of the judgment coming to the world. Eventually Nokh learns to weep because of sin. This is the mind of God.
‘My sin grieves the Lord. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. This means that I face up to my sin. I receive forgiveness if I humble myself before the Lord at the altar.’
Joy fills the people who hear Enoch. They all sleep well. God’s mercy and truth fills each home in the community. They believe. Enoch blesses God.
Long talks with all who sincerely desire to grow in their relationship with God provide opportunities to understand God’s work in the world.
Ebele, still active among leaders, marvels at God’s faithfulness.
‘Is it possible God has blessed us with so many babies?’
They share moments of happiness thinking about the amazing truth of abilities for woman and man to fulfill God’s command to multiply and fill the earth.
Sin had caused much deterioration but the perfection of God’s original work takes generations to weaken. Disease is rare. Humans live to be hundreds of years of age. Human perfections, pleasing to the eye and source of pleasure, continue more than two-thousand years.
God reveals the marvelous design of the human body, the heart and blood, the lungs and breath of life, the birthing of a child through the mother’s womb.
Color, sounds, and touch bring joy. Food with its texture, taste, and aroma adds goodness.
Touch is important to Enoch. He holds his son Mattawn for a long time. There is no embarrassment. Their minds knit together. Enoch misses his wife Orna. It has been many years since she was placed in the earth. There is a hope of seeing her again.
The little ones love sitting on grandpa’s lap. Innocent faith of the youngest inspires older ones to trust God in a childlike way.
Forgiveness goes hand in hand with humility. Followers of God are not offended by the actions of others. Nokh feels no offense that his youngest son moved far away and married a woman from this distant land. Mattawn does not resent the fact that his mother dies the day he was born.
Offenses will come, but God teaches them that love covers all sin. Enoch says,
‘From life in our mother’s womb, we are all sinners. That is why we all sin and fall far short of God’s glory. Genuine forgiveness which proceeds from humility prevents offenses when others sin against us.’
The peace-loving followers of God humble themselves before God when they forgive all offenses.
God’s promise is repeated often.
‘Salvation will come by the offspring of woman.’
Mattawn speaks,
‘We should no longer blame Adam and Eve for our sin.’
His wisdom amazes his father when he says,
‘Each of us will stand before God for our own sin.’
Sin passed on to all people. It destroys. Grace forgives. Those who come to the altar will receive forgiveness. Enoch prays continually for his large family who still live in the city.
‘Oh God! I know you are with them. May they see the wickedness of their world. Please teach them to trust and obey.’