While others often criticize and even condemn Adam for original sin, Enoch forgives with grace and shows it in his actions and words. His growing relationship with Adam has helped both of them to love God more.
Obedience is a natural result of love. When the Lord directs Enoch to return to his family in the city, he immediately makes plans to go. The trip home, even though he is not sure where home is anymore, provides an opportunity for peace knowing he has accomplished so much. He cherishes incredible growing times with Adam.
‘If I had lived in Adam’s time in the Garden of Eden, I may have done what he did. The temptation was real. Did he encourage Eve to disobey first? God’s word does not return void. Satan told them the truth.’
Nokh thinks he could stand true, but doubt keeps him balanced.
‘My mind is willing, but my flesh is weak.’
Enjoyment stretching out his journey east does not make him feel guilty. It is who he is. Even so, he is excited to reconnect with his children, grandchildren, and friends.
Word has come that they need him. Love fills his heart with eyes wide open to the ravages of death, disease, and rebellion on the journey. Enoch imagines sin has caused serious difficulty in his own family. His family now numbers in the thousands. Sin’s curse is real and it undoubtedly affects his home too.
Methuselah, who remains true to God, meets with his father to weep, and pray. Enoch says,
‘We cannot atone for the sins of other people, not even our children.’
This increase in ungodliness has no end. Enoch proclaims God’s word of coming judgment.
Methuselah says,
‘They tell us that their worship of God is the new way, the right way.’
Enoch adds with hope,
‘Oh for a fresh word from God!’
Then his son’s response startles Nokh.
‘The Lord has put within our beings the knowledge of good and evil.’
Enoch begins to understand humanity through a different lens.
‘That is why our ancestor Adam struggles.’
Adam knows sin as no other person. His descendants have the same conscience that God has given all people, but they also have the rules and regulations imposed on them by other people.
As the years have passed they have difficulty sorting it out. What is from God? Which laws are from men?
Each person, by conscience, must determine the path to righteousness. This is intensely personal. It comes from a relationship with God himself. The Lord strengthens those who walk with him. Guilt crushes the ones who disobey or ignore God’s revealed will.
Because Adam had violated God’s holiness he labored many years under the horrible weight of sin.
As Methuselah and Enoch discuss these things they remind each other that they do not need a new word from God.
‘We have been told what we should do.’
With determination to obey, they agree to continue faithfully in their obedient walk with God. They wholeheartedly agree,
‘There is no other way to seek forgiveness for sin.’
Quiet assurance gives them confidence to deal with all the circumstances muddling up their lives. Their families are wading into the deep cesspool of twisted religion. The altars have been cast aside as old-fashioned and unnecessary. New forms of religion focus on man rather than on God.
Reports converge from several directions that the monthly festivals have evolved into a celebration of human life with an honor reserved for the seed of men. Their women love the virile athleticism that this promotes.
The sons of God receive special recognition. They have become gods. Children also receive great honor. They willingly offer themselves up in the excitement of these frenzied nights of celebration.
Because Adam has isolated himself from the sin-culture of these early days, he has no idea that this wickedness increases.
God protects him from knowing the full extent of mankind’s depravity. If he struggles with his guilt, how could he bear the perversions of mankind on his shoulders? The Lord does not choose Adam as the bearer of the sin of the world.
Enoch wishes he could bear the guilt of his cousin Haran but knows each person stands before God exposed and alone. No one can hide from God. Haran’s accomplishments of leadership, wealth, and worship will not provide salvation.
The oil production located at Enoch’s old homestead now produces the best in the region. Once his family was famous for arrows, javelins, and darts. Now their olive oils provide immense fame and wealth for the entire family.
Haran gladly shares this wealth with Enoch. He remains loyal to their relationship and love for years gone by.
Nokh prays they can agree on belief in God. No longer do they discuss beliefs to maintain peace. Haran’s conscience has gotten muddled with rules and regulations; new ones and old, including the ancient words from God.
Enoch rests,
‘My family follows different paths, but I will keep the original word of the Lord.’
He settles himself with a clear conscience, enjoying freedom from the guilt of his sin.