Earth Year 975 CY
An unusually large person, who overpowers others because of a dignified stature, looks intently into Enoch’s eyes. The strong voice carries conviction.
‘The festivals of the new moon are filled with thankfulness for the bountiful lives we enjoy. We have built this fine city far from the one down on the Euphrates and now we will establish a grand festival altar here.’
She goes on to explain that the beautiful garden that the people have developed along the south river where the waters flow on three sides will be the place for the worship of God.
‘Hear! Hear!’
Many women standing with her at the intersection of Music Makers Avenue and the main north-to-south boulevard eagerly applaud her leadership.
The decision has been made before the men even know about it. Enoch looks to the east at the point of land where the river turns with placid calmness around a peninsula before it continues on its southward journey. The trees, grasses, and flowers rival some of the beautiful ones that Enoch has seen in God’s Garden.
He remembers that this is the very place where he first set up camp when arriving with the sheep that followed him so many years ago.
A very young mother holding a baby on her left hip murmurs.
‘Why has it taken so long for you to do something about this?’
Enoch responds with grace.
‘Why are you asking me? I am not the leader of our town. However, I call this a place of peace. We must work together if this brings glory to God.’
The spokesperson sputters losing some of her dignity to passion.
‘Don’t tell us that! You know that whatever you approve of will happen. If you oppose anything—that is the end of the matter.’
It grieves him that what she says may be true. Why are people quick to put more belief in what he says than what the Lord has instructed?
Later that evening he speaks privately to a friend at the house where he is staying. His own home had been given to a needy family many years ago. This man and his family live on the avenue at the far south end of town. These settlers protect the borders with spears, darts, and swords.
Nokh loves the new craftsmanship they use in making these tools and weapons. It makes some of his work look primitive. Of course, he started over three hundred years ago. He examines a sword that has two sharp edges and the hilt is shaped like a cross. The friend encourages.
‘Your work Enoch is nothing to cause you shame. Some of your tools have such a perfect balance that we still use them all the time. They are incredible pieces and over two hundred years old. You stand tall among us.’
Nokh answers humbly desiring to keep his focus on God not thinking of himself more highly than he should.
“God has amazing plans for this very piece of ground upon which we stand.’
A large and unique outcropping of stone provides a massive threshing floor for the grain growers harvest. The people use it to winnow the chaff from the precious grains. Crops grow continually with the daytime mists, strong diffused sunlight from above, and gentle breezes of the night. Some growers have learned to direct the mist bubbles across their fields with success.
An elder from the grain group has joined the conversation and adds.
‘It is part of life that the seeds we plant die to bring new growth and then we beat the harvest which separates the good from that which is of no value. Those annoying weeds that invade our crops cause terrible problems.’
The trusted friend who provides loving hospitality says without caution.
‘I do not appreciate these false teaching groups who are planning an altar that rivals the big one in the city.’
They know it would be futile to speak out against the plan.
‘If people will not listen to God, how can we stop them?’
Nokh has never seen people work as hard as they do to complete this new project. They toil day and night in blessed harmony, sparing no expense as they build a festival ground to rival the grand altar of the city. Pieces of glistening stone that some are now calling metal are placed on the central altar which burns continually with a sweet-smelling fragrance.
The faithful followers of God do not leave town. They choose to live in peace with everyone. They continue to pray, love others, and serve the community. Their small group gatherings bring them together as they work together to follow the Lord. Most agree to co-exist with false teaching and say,
‘We can be good people even though false beliefs begin to control our town.’
Enoch has a great concern about the rapid growth of compromise not only about the blood at the altar but now there is a growing interest in the serpent and his influence in the world. Do people celebrate the serpent’s victorious introduction to the knowledge of good and evil? He shudders because a large group of settlers, exceedingly handsome and tall, whose fathers were the sons of God have been welcomed into the region.
Everyone works hard to live exemplary lives. The peaceful large town on the Gihon becomes a model, the perfect place to live, surrounded by like-minded sincere people. New residents anticipate that this will be a wonderful opportunity to bring up children. Mysteries about the shining altar intrigue the entire world. It takes only a few months for everyone to participate without hesitation in the excitement of the festival.
The silence of God puzzles Enoch. By faith, he overcomes and continues his walk with contentment. Exploration of unknown regions frequently draws Nokh to a different kind of walk. It is his comfortable activity.
Travelling south of town he discovers chasms with water cascading into deep places—more unanswered questions. Small craters running in the same direction as the river make Nokh think that the earth could swallow him up along with the largest animals and tallest trees. A big chasm could hold an entire town. Some of these go deep enough for a person to stand in them without being seen. Then the further he travels south; forests thicken making progress impossible.
Pure waters satisfy his thirst. Enoch discovers with great excitement heated waters for soaking which buoyantly lift his mind and soul as well as his body.
Resting in God’s plan for the earth and his own life he learns to trust every circumstance. There is no need to ask why. He is content with partial knowledge. The God who created all things is the all-wise one who knows all things. His wisdom is perfect.
In times like these Nokh wishes he could just go along with the popular thinking of people in the community. Should he press his convictions on others?
The divided world begins to affect Enoch—the promise to visit the city each year, his concerns about Methuselah who lives in the far away eastern land away from the river, the false teaching of south town, and lately the new settlement in the other side of the marshes. Even his private place at the gates of the garden does not encourage as much as it once did.
Since it has been almost three years since Nokh has gone to the city he decides to do that first. Action is the best way to overcome discouragement. Great blessings, or extended moments of happiness, begin to restore the spirit as Enoch joins small group meetings and participates in private sacrifices at altars. The sharing of meals with like-minded friends, simple times of prayer, and recitation of all the Lord has told them strengthens him and his friends to be faithful in their walk with God.
Large assemblies are not permitted. So this fellowship from house to house helps them strengthen their relationship with God. They discover that those who walk with God enjoy a greater ability to love each other.
After a busy day and evening visiting people throughout the city, Enoch walks toward the house where friends have prepared a meal and a guest room for him to spend the night. He is alone. It is dark.
An official-looking person of interest follows him. Enoch attempts to see why this man is tracking him. He turns left on a side avenue, then quickly jogs to the right. The man follows. Neither rushes. Enoch has no fear. After coming to a watering place with parklike beauty and broad comfortable gathering places, he sits on a bench beside a trellis with night-blooming jasmine. The fragrance reminds him of his former home out by the river. The plaza shows how advanced the people of the city have become.
The man who follows walks right on past with a greeting and Nokh knows that he was alarmed for no good reason. Danger lurks throughout the city because even though Ywek still holds the leadership securely, the festival has taken on a life of its own. Hatred toward God and God’s followers is a movement bigger than one man.
Just as Nokh thinks about walking on, without warning, a dark figure stands close to Enoch’s left shoulder. How did this one come so quietly? Is he a supernatural being like the Cherubim?
‘I have a message for Nokh from our esteemed leader, Ywek.’
Nokh stands his ground even though he feels no immediate threat.
‘Ywek wishes to meet you privately tomorrow when the stars begin to shine. He asks you to find him at your old family dwelling on the banks of the Euphrates.’
Silence on Enoch’s part says a great deal. How does this stranger know so much about him—even his nickname, Nokh? Then he threatens.
‘Do not fail. If you do you will regret it!’
The man slips away into the shadows. Nokh does not get a good look at the stranger nor does he recognize the voice. Tension builds, like a crouching animal ready to attack, and he hurries to his friends where he settles down for the night. He eats the meal prepared and prays with friends then sleeps well.
Morning brings hope for God’s faithfulness. Nothing new develops and as the day passes Enoch decides to go to his old home even though he wonders what the Lord is going to accomplish. He knows that the people of the festival and what is becoming the central controlling group of the city have taken over his property. They are making the area into a shrine and park to rival the one on the south river.
The stars begin to shine dimly and he slips onto the property a back way. Nokh knows the territory better than most. Old landmarks are gone but the river has not changed. The shocking sight of his home, which has been altered with representations of the devil’s glory warns. Some of his interwoven, hand-rubbed, and oiled branches with incredible markings and shapes still form the ceiling of his arbor. The stars shine through as if they are lights floating above the comfortable sitting area.
Ywek comes alone. This unsettles Nokh. He expects a power play with guards and authoritative grandeur. The leader wears a simple piece of clothing like most other people. It is a deep purple color and that is special. Enoch has not seen Ywek face to face for years but is not surprised that he is fit physically. Like all men of the city who work hard and eat healthy foods Ywek’s handsome appearance elicits respect.
The cool night air stirs and for quite a while the two men sit watching reflections of stars dancing in swirling eddies moving slowly down the Euphrates. Ywek, the leader of the people God created, speaks first.
‘This new system of worship has taken over my whole being. I imagine this is like one feels who is drowning. It is bigger than I am.’
Enoch does not say anything but he knows God hears his prayer. Ywek continues.
‘At times I am truly sorry for the wickedness it promotes. Am I responsible? Is there hope that I could experience the peace that you have? It must be a peace beyond anything I could understand.’
Nokh’s pulse races, his eyes dilate even in the darkness, and he feels his heart beating against his chest. He moves close and touches the director’s arm.
‘God speaks to every man who needs to come to him. Now is the time to believe his words. Open your mind, and your innermost being, and have faith as a child. He has told us that we must obey by faith. It is the only way. God’s steadfast love endures forever.’
The stars turn on their axis. The two men talk till the dipper stands on its head. Ywek questions. Enoch gives a reason for the hope he possesses. It is difficult for one to receive what his inner self refuses to believe. Ywek knows the words of God. He uses his knowledge to fight against God when he says,
‘Where is your appreciation? I have guided our people, and we still are supposed to be one, to our present height of accomplishment and prosperity.’
Night passes. Is Ywek done?
‘You know that we are to give thanks in every circumstance. God says we should rejoice all the time. Why are you so divisive Enoch?’
Nokh says,
‘It is never too late. God waits for you to come.’
Ywek stands, turns, and says with his gentle voice.
‘Do you think it is that easy to persuade me?’
Those are the last words Nokh hears as this one he has known for more than three hundred years slips quietly toward the coming dawn.
Both heads hang low. One depends on God’s steadfast love, the other laden down with guilt.