Most people think life is good if they can avoid trouble. Enoch’s circumstances are about to explode with inevitable difficulty. His pathway leads to trouble.
Orna fully expects Cousin Haran to cause a great many problems when they finally arrive home. A woman’s perceptive intuition knows it long before Nokh. Neither of them imagine the measure of grief they will face. Only a few years ago they were inseparable. Nokh questions.
‘How could our beliefs have drifted so far away from one other?’
Orna adds as they embrace under flowing pink and purple wisteria,
‘My heart breaks for you when I see our family so divided. Haran of all people.’
Soft cotton bound in luxurious fabric pads their bed; a lightweight silken throw covers them. This is all they ever need. God’s marvelous world never disappoints. Flesh against flesh fulfills deep desire.
News of family anger reaches them on the journey. People of their world who disagree with them are hard hearted. Enoch holds Orna close in their bower; they will put it off no longer, this is the last night before arriving home. Fear pulls them to turn back to the peace of the west. Duty calls home.
Enoch needs to get back to work. His conscience assures him,
‘Face trouble like a man! This is God’s will. I work to please God and not to gain influence or wealth. The Lord gives immense joy when I make things with my hands.’
No matter what he thinks, Enoch takes a great deal of pride in his work. Each piece requires hours of labor. No other person makes such fine weapons as Enoch, and he knows it.
Because of this a thorn in his side has festered for years. Others, even his own family, could not live up to his expectations. At least that’s what they think. Many people have quit trying.
Satisfaction because of his standing in the community grows into pride. The way people rave about his workmanship adds fuel to the fire. Those who dislike him say he is arrogant.
‘I am doing the best I can for God. Is that all right? I know I am good. Should I hide my talents just because people call me out?’
Haran shows up at the workplace just as Nokh finishes making one of his perfectly balanced javelins. It does not take long for his cousin to crush any thoughts of pride. He piles on blame for all the family problems.
His beloved cousin goes on to berate him for ignoring their decisions and desires. They have minds and hearts too. True love shows itself in unconditional acceptance.
‘Love is the answer to all our troubles and you sure are not showing much of it.’
Then Haran turns abruptly and slips away before Enoch can think of anything to say. He is left alone, with a broken javelin in his hands, which snaps loudly as he destroys it. He is shaking. Something deep in his heart snaps that day too.
‘Is my desire for God alienating me from my own family? Oh, God! What is my next step?’