Earth Year 965 CY
Swamp life amazes the senses with its microcosm of a whole new world but also with sinister corners of deep shadow. A huge predator Nokh has never imagined exists, crouches in the darkness with beady eyes sparkling, reflecting the mid-day sun.
A small group of dedicated explorers stop. They wait. Realizing they are not prepared to face such a beast, wisdom mandates that they proceed with caution.
After a moment, which seems like forever, a rabbit hops onto a tuft of grass in full view of the watching world. With a single burst of movement, on extremely small legs, the thing devours and slides smoothly under the surface of the still waters. The explorers cannot grasp the speed of such power.
While waiting the four observe teeming life at their feet. Mosses, lilies, tiny swimming things, turtles, large and small, seemed undisturbed. Swamp birds flit above and below the canopy of leaves. Some even land on the back of a large land animal that can swim swiftly, like a fish.
Two of the explorers, a new couple who have settled in with the grain growers, are the ones who had arrived with their four children. Charone, who is what the man calls his wife, comes from one of the wealthiest and most powerful families among the leadership of the city. Her superior training and wealth of knowledge challenged them to explore the territories far north of the Euphrates.
Enoch has desired to do that also and eagerly joins the couple. He leads them carefully around the Gates of Eden without revealing much of what he knows. Most of the people of his generation have no desire to approach the place. Stories tell of danger, even supernatural power. After a miserable ten days of mucking through the difficult waterways, the group senses higher ground. Setting up an encampment on the banks of a large river allows them to rest, hunt, and offer a sacrifice of obedience to God.
Nokh loves to demonstrate the way an altar should be offered. His teaching is new to Charone. The group eagerly accepts his words.
‘The blood is the life that belongs to God. He allows us to feast on the flesh of the sacrifice. This meal is important for fellow walkers to grow in love for one another and to show the obedience of faith in God.’
He goes on to describe the Lord’s plan—life for life. Forgiveness not only affects what we have done in the past, but it also gives opportunities for our future. We can approach our Creator. We become the friends of God. This is God’s purpose for mankind as passed down from our fathers. We must listen and obey.
Charone is ready to believe. Her sins weigh heavily, like a pack, on her back. In acknowledging her sinful condition she says.
‘I understand the depravity of sin. Our youngest girl, a beautiful baby, perfect in body and spirit was sacrificed on the high altar of worship. It happened three festivals before my family begged me to leave all the things that had been so dear to me.’
She tells her story.
‘We fought them all the way the night they came to take her. I know it is wrong. Some of my closest family and friends assured me that God would be pleased.’
She continues by telling of scars her husband bears on his arms and shoulders.
‘I hate all of them, even my father! My tears will not stop. I cannot sleep. Are you positive they are wrong, Enoch?’
The trip does help this scarred couple to know God. They see the light of hope in the face of Enoch. He desires to continue searching but they seem eager to return to their children and part company possessing a measure of peace. They embark on a walk with God. When they greet their children hope strengthens them. They trust the word of God that Nokh has preached to them.
‘We believe that God chooses to have a relationship with us like a faithful, loving father has for his children.’
Charone adds.
‘Like a nurturing mother.’
All who witness this transformation, praise God. Many accept the truth of the old altar and the shedding of blood as the truth. They agree. There is no other way.
Nokh discovers a river slowly moving away toward a lone star, far away from the Garden. His companion turns back and he is alone. He sees that the earth has been disturbed. Standing on an unusually high bluff he looks out over the trees of the swamp. An eagle soars above. It swoops low, snatches a trout, seen only by its eyes, and ascends into the misty canopy above. Enoch bows in humble worship and sings.
‘The glories of this world,
Point to God above.
Power observed displays,
Faith ascends beyond.
There is no other way!’
Enoch’s relationship with God spirals upward like the flight of the eagle. He loves beauty. He hates sin. His eyes see. They are open to every opportunity that God provides. A gleam of light flashes. Nokh is fast. Raising his right hand he pushes aside a sharp pointed shaft of metal pointing directly at his chest. The knife is one he made.
‘Stop thief.’
‘You could have killed me.’
‘I didn’t want to.’
‘What are you doing here?’
A stranger steps out of the shadows.
‘I am protecting my home. Who are you?’
‘I am Enoch! Seventh from Adam.’
‘Peace. I know about you. I am a grandson of Mahalalel. We are family.’
The two men embrace. They experience awesome hours together for many days. Nokh learns about the swamp and the river of the north. It is called the Tigris River.
His cousin knows the territory, but like Adam, fear causes him to isolate himself from other people. He says,
‘I have recovered things that were left from the desolated community on the far side of Adam’s place.’
Nokh’s heart beats rapidly.
‘That is where my family lived. My youngest son, Mattawn disappeared when I went to the city on the Euphrates.’
He then describes the hatred people have toward him because he speaks the truth of God.
‘I think they took vengeance out on me by destroying the place where my friends found peace with God.’
The two agree that this hatred for all that is good does not allow others to enjoy a peaceful life. Enoch treasures the carefully preserved artifacts from Mattawn’s town. Memories, doubts, questions, fears, and anger make Enoch feel that he is in the grip of a beast far greater than he can handle.
‘Will I ever be free from these feelings? Why do they consume me? Oh my Lord and God, I need you!’
Bad things happen to good people. The cousins understand each other. Mahalalel’s grandson says.
‘When Adam and Eve sinned it ruined all of God’s perfect creation. The gator you saw in the swamp, the eagle in the sky, and the anger of your enemies from the city, are the result of sin. We all sinned in Adam. Sin devours. Sin destroys. Sin separates from the glory of God.’
Enoch speaks.
‘The stagnation, the stink of death in the waterways, destroys the life-giving water that refreshes my whole being.’
Both agree that they no longer wish to enter the waters of death. The one who knows the area says.
‘You need to know that two rivers flow out of the swamp. One toward our lone star of the north and the other to unknown lands far away. They beckon us to bathe, and drink, and they hold out the promise of restoration and life to come.’
As Enoch urgently returns to his private place, close to the Cherubim, he rests in the knowledge that endurance in trials and temptations has strengthened him. This place restores his spirit as no other. He longs to talk with God. He waits.
A veiled presence much like a light source of glowing ashes moves slowly toward Nokh. He moves involuntarily toward the light. Absolute silence surrounds the welcoming embrace. The light speaks with a voice of blessed assurance, smooth and resonant.
‘I am the Lord. I made you for my glory. Thank you for walking with me. You are my child.’
The light is gone. Darkness surrounds Enoch. The mist draws back like the curtains of his sleeping alcove so many years ago, where he lay with Orna his beloved wife. Stars shine brighter than the midday sun.
On his return to the old city, which irresistibly draws, Enoch meets fewer believers than at any other time. Remarkably, he can move about freely. Most people draw back into the shadow as he passes by. Ywek’s patience is done. Open attacks against God’s people have begun. Those who stand against wickedness are no longer welcome.