Five years later, Mattawn helps his father lower Adam’s cold body into the ground. They carefully and respectfully shovel fragrant soil on top of it, protecting it from increasingly wild animals.
Wildness is a problem. Reports come from the lands of the east that lions devour people. Violence increases. People no longer travel alone. Danger surrounds everyone. People are frightened in the forest, on the roadways, and in the city.
Walls now protect families who are fortunate enough and have the means to build them. Strong tactics are cleverly devised to force men to labor with little personal reward.
Knife throwing has become more than a sport. Every man must protect his property. Extended families band together in settlements. Haran’s and Enoch’s families in the city prosper with their olive groves and shops, which still make the best knives and tools.
Enoch laments,
‘Our tools are being used as weapons to maim, murder, and promote false worship.’
He lost his beloved wife years ago. Now that his friend Adam has gone to his grave, Enoch ponders what the future holds for him. He never escapes the reality of death.
‘Where is Orna? Where is Adam? I believe God has told us that death is a temporary separation. The body is in the ground, but the spirit is immortal.’
God created all people in his image. Like him, we are unique. He gave us a body and a soul. We each possess intellect. We have freedom of choice. It is all wrapped up in personalities that overflow with passion and emotion.
Memories of Adam’s words fill empty places in Enoch’s thinking. Elena and Mattawn, and many others including Ebele and her families, often discuss ways to encourage those who have lost loved ones. They had seen too many people finish poorly. For some, it sucks the life out of them. Death conquers life.
Enoch’s eyes twinkle as he says to the group traveling together to a special place for worship and sacrifice.
‘You think you are planning, but it looks more like a plot to me.’
After struggling with her emotions, Elena says,
‘Please don’t be upset. We are looking out for your best interest.’
Mattawn adds,
‘Dad, would you at least listen to us and our plans?’
Enoch does not say what he is thinking.
‘Why does our sacrifice, which is so rich in meaning, cause us to question one another’s motives?’
He hates to admit it, but they are right. Adam’s death has affected him more than he knows.
Can he walk with God and also maintain control of his own life? For two hundred years Enoch has been the patriarch of the family. They now number in the thousands. So many are prosperous, successful, talented, and respected. Too many of them have gone along with the excitement of the festival.
Those who do not approve of idolatry and its worship of the creation rather than the Creator refuse to live in the city.
However, once again, God leads Enoch to invest more time and energy into the lives of his family who live in the city. He wonders,
‘If I live among them, will it make a difference?’
The time has come. Enoch will walk with God even though it means that he will be surrounded by the false teaching of the city.
He has learned from his time with Adam about the pitfalls of a reclusive life. God wants those who walk with him to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those of one’s own family. If Enoch attempts to help his family to obey God—his work is not done.
Mattawn does not agree with his dad. Elena helps him understand and they reluctantly agree to give up their plans and respect Nokh’s desire to leave them once again.
He generally makes the journey part of the fun for God has taught him the importance of enjoying each moment. Would this hike turn out to be enjoyable? He realizes times have changed. Dangers have increased. Is he foolish to take this trip alone?
Time alone can be beneficial when people love God. Surprised by joy, the days and nights pass slowly. He often talks right out loud.
‘I know I am not alone. God assures me he will never leave me. I have little knowledge of how that can be, but I believe!’
Belief motivates actions. Each day ends with praise, confession, with submission to God. He enjoys an evening meal of simple grains and meat that had been offered to God at a sacrifice. The thought of blood dripping down its sides reminds him of his need for repentance and continual trust in God.
Obedience heightens his joy and even though he does not comprehend why God requires the blood, he knows in his heart that God’s way is the best. Those who walk with God follow the leader.
The Lord assures him that he can eat the flesh after the blood is spilled. A few citizens of Ebele’s community disagreed and left to form their community north of the Euphrates over the issue of eating meat offered at the altar.
Enoch does not argue about these issues. He quietly follows his conviction, remaining true to the ancient instructions from God.