‘Look at our neighbor’s field!’
Orna looks as beautiful as her husband has ever seen her even though they have now become parents of many sons and daughters. Long medium brown hair falls softly over her statuesque shoulders. Her polished flaxen garment with blue and red highlights contrasts with sparkling dark eyes that show a lively but strong personality.
‘Yes, with each passing month the neglect is more pronounced. If they would take less time preparing for the festival, they might have the energy to keep things looking better. It takes half a month for our neighbors to recover from the excessive rituals the feast days require of them.’
Enoch realizes that these religious practices no long help people live better lives. Performances for God make people proud. Participants increase in greediness, violence, and rebellion against the God they imagine they serve.
Fellowship with their creator, as the Lord desires, is overshadowed by the things these people keep adding to the simple worship, the obedience of the altar.
‘I wonder if my darts, intended for good, are being used for evil?’
They hold each other loosely, quietly breathing the evening air. Her sweet breath mingles with a citrus fragrance that settles toward their bed. This wonderful place gives a respite from the turmoil which has now sundered their own family. Sparkling water flows at their feet, fluffy coverings comfort and ripening fruit hangs overhead. Purple blooms rise from clean soil on each side.
Water refreshes the body and inner spirit leaving a softness to the skin. Sandy soil loaded with nutrients keeps their private garden flourishing. They enjoy years of memories in this special place but now the older children are grown and making their own ways in life. What does their future hold? Orna and Nokh must let them go.
Some of their best friends attempt holding their adult children tightly with little success. The division in religious belief has taken a toll on every family. It is still God’s plan that a man and a woman should leave father and mother and hold each other tightly.
Godly couples have no problem letting their families establish and build their own homes. Nokh says,
‘This is what God intends. Our main concern is that fleshly lusts and material prosperity are sucking our children into false worship.’
Orna asks,
‘Nokh, it has been several months since we have gone with our families to the feasts of the bright moon. I know we do not approve of all the rituals and behavior by some, but could we go and try to keep our family together?’
Enoch agrees for her sake. The more he acknowledges God in all of life, the greater his reliance on grace – God’s steadfast love.
Grace does not come in occasional overflowing baskets, but in little blessings every moment of the day. He often repeats,
‘I need God!’
The careless very religious neighbor queried more than once,
‘You are so robust and have brought up such fine children, why do you lean on God as you do? Stand up and act like a man! You are made in his image.’