When fear takes over it leaves little place for faith. Minutes stretch into hours, hours into days, and time stands still.
Placing even one morsel of food into his mouth makes Enoch feel like heaving it up again—a sacrifice of a lamb borders on the impossible.
Nokh hates death as never before. He wants to run in any direction, far away as far as he can run. Never to look back!
In this weakened condition he can only walk twenty steps before he must stop to catch his breath. Yet he is drawn toward the garden. Anxiety becomes dismay.
God draws. Enoch feels the heavy hand of the curse of God’s just judgment on the earth. He questions.
‘What have we done to deserve this? Did my people bring it themselves? They are good people. I am guilty, not them.’
Pride digs deeply into Enoch’s heart. He has boasted about his relationship with God. He tells all who will listen about Mattawn. The greatness of his leadership. His outstanding faith in the living God.
Then humbled, as seldom seen among men, Nokh laments.
‘It is my sin, Punish me! I will take the place of my family. Let me die. Could you bring them back to life? Save them from the pit of darkness.’
The Spirit of God gently reminds him once again that all sin is forgiven at the altar. Sinners do not need to pay any additional price.
Sinners of any age, any generation, in the city and the country, need to do what God asks.
Enoch says.
‘All right Lord. Where can I get a lamb?’
God answers.
‘Wait! I will provide a lamb.’
Enoch sits and waits. He believes in the word of the Lord. This glimmer of hope nourishes him through his time of waiting. The promised sacrifice will come. God is faithful!
Strength returns to his body: sleep, cooling waters of the beloved river. Simple grains and fruit of the earth sustain. Fevers gradually ease. His head stops throbbing. Eyes once again focus.
The spirit of the man lags far behind his body but each day sees progress. Hope does not fail because God’s love has been poured into his heart. God is here.
The lamb comes most unexpectedly. It comes from a river that runs in a different direction than the Euphrates River. This flowing of waters when explored reveals amazing detail.
One river comes out of the garden. It then divides into four. Enoch’s waters move slowly toward the lands of the morning sun. Two meander toward the shadows of the darker sky away from the light.
The fourth provides a lamb.
Enoch speaks.
‘How did this lamb come from the brightness of the mid-day sun?’
The lamb, so frail, so perfect and innocent.
‘Thank you, Lord, for your gracious provision.’
His tanned and well-formed strong arm holds the little one, softly and tenderly. He weeps easily. Tears wash over the one who will give his life’s blood so this man can approach his holy God.
Life drips down the rough edge of a displaced stone. Nokh receives a covering. Free from the curse of sin and death. He will approach the God who cares.
When he settles into his private place near the entrance, but not too close, he sees the Cherubim. They frighten him.
The place has been tended. Pristine with no weeds or deadness of plant or animal. No tangled vines. Incredibly tall and majestic trees shelter from above. Verdant grasses, green and welcoming. Colorful blooms and flittering ladybugs add vitality.
One large, flat stone has been placed in the center. Sitting, Enoch looks directly at the messengers who guard God’s holiness. The gates stand open beyond the fiery swords.
Nokh sits for hours with no hunger or weariness. His soul revives. The glory is visible.
He hears.
‘My child, do not be afraid for I am with you wherever you go.’
This majestic but beautiful sound quietly assures Nokh that he is not alone.
He responds.
‘Speak Lord! I am yours.’
God answers.
“My grace is sufficient for you.’
Nokh bows his head, turning away from such dazzling glory, and says from the depth of his being.
‘I believe.’