The choice is made:
‘I will walk with God!’
He braces himself for the stares and whispers.
‘I will pay the price!’
Some say God has revealed that in less than a thousand years:
‘Judgment will surely come!’
The javelin has been thrown. An end will come. It seems that peace has been ripped from the family. Joy flees with Haran’s followers.
Nokh’s wife Orna had warned:
‘It will come to a sad separation.’
He knows there is no other way.
‘I must take my stand for God. I can no longer go along with their perverse worship.’
All that is left for both of them is a pile of crushed and broken memories. Dreams fade like empty wine skins.
Friendships are broken. Haran does not look back. Happy adventures and expeditions into the forests sourcing raw materials for darts, spears and javelins are put on hold.
‘Could Haran so easily forget the days they enjoyed gathering and carving?’
Together they had learned the craft well. The search for perfect trees, weathered and strong, resulted in metal-like tools. Meticulously formed metal tips struck to the heart for the kill.
This price is more than Enoch could bear. He almost turns aside.
‘I will still search for knowledge of God!’
Nokh snuggles quietly near his wife and infant son. Muscular arms hold them close. Their quiet breathing begs the question:
‘Will Orna have the strength to stand with him? How can I support them if my work brings no return? Will God show the way?’
Because of man’s sinful condition, evil spreads faster than righteousness. Ungodliness takes control. It has a mind of its own. Lust does that. It presses hard and leaves the mind behind.
Enoch questions himself about making darts and spears. Men are using them to destroy life. Guilt gradually causes his bright eyes to dim.
The paradox of the altar puzzles people who take the time to think about it. Orna and Nokh doubt just like the others. Quickly they agree with each other,
‘We will obey! We will fight to preserve the sanctity of the altar.’
With child-like faith they respond to the revealed will of God. Enoch says,
‘The is the step we will take today. Tomorrow’s challenges we will entrust to God.’