Enoch thinks about the festival for several days. They use his darts in the bloodletting of the sacrifice. He happily holds on to his reputation in the community because it secures safety for his family. The leaders and gangs threaten but they do not attack. They do not move against Enoch. His unsettled mind asks,
‘Where is my happiness in this community?’
He speaks aloud even though no one is listening. Joy replaces his concern when Orna announces the coming of another baby. Older kids are parents by this time, so cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents of similar ages gather in his large and prosperous family.
Life settles back into normal routines. Leaders of the city stop outward threats. Nokh longs to be with the godly people who live upstream. Perhaps that will help settle his mind.
When he suggests to his beloved that they travel upriver, she encourages him to go alone this time.
‘I will stay at home, have good times for plenty of rest for the sake of the baby, and encourage the children. They will take loving care of me.’
Enoch agrees, maybe too quickly, and eagerly prepares for a journey of at least three new moons.
Preparation for such a trip requires lots of thought and work. Enoch never shirks work. God-followers know that blessings come by the sweat of the brow. That’s what God had told them. Enoch learns to love work as part of his strengthening relationship with God.
He makes a list – selecting each item with care. He chooses his best knife, two darts, and a javelin and dagger; tinder for fire, clothing, blanket, essential oils, dried fruit, and vegetables – raisins, pineapple, apricots, nuts, grains of all kinds; lightweight cooking pots, writing material, and his book on which he has written some of God’s words.
Enoch certainly possesses abilities to craft wonderful things but he has also grown in wisdom from God. His wisdom causes him to chase obedience to the law of God rather than the lusts of his own flesh. His growth separates him from those who stubbornly refuse God’s wisdom.
Everyone knows that all truth comes from God. Often it is passed on from parent to child. In special times it comes directly from the Lord. Enoch lets his heart keep the instruction from God. By doing this he finds favor and good understanding in the sight of God and people. This is one reason the gangs do not attack him.
However peace with all people becomes difficult to maintain as the divide between God-followers and others grows. Nokh does the best he can. He hopes that his time on the trail will help.
’This journey could strengthen my greatest purpose. I want to know God better.’
And because each step he will take toward his ancestral homes becomes so important in his life, he eagerly works preparing for his solo hike along the great river. He often says,
‘The preparation for the journey is part of the fun!’
He has taught his children that if they want to love life and see good days, they must keep their tongues from evil. They must turn from evil and do good, seek peace, and pursue it. This is God’s word.
Many understand that a person who walks with God never totally knows if obedience is the walk with God or if the walk with God produces consistent obedience.
On the last night before he leaves, Nokh feels the baby move in Orna’s middle section. Both delight in life. They could never do anything to destroy life unless God would instruct them to do so. They pray continually for everyone in their family, even this little one in Orna’s tummy.
Two things they pray together falling toward sleep: God please give Nokh a safe trip, and God, please help everyone in our family to have faith and courage in the face of growing wickedness.
They cling tightly to each other marveling at the spectacle of the misty curtain pulling back to reveal stars; with magnificent drama. More stars than they can fathom. God knows each star.
At mornings first light, Nokh quietly pulls away from Orna, he loves to part this way; kisses her gently and as has always been his custom – he dives into the water, prays to God, shoulders his pack and heads west.
For some unknown reason, his travel is slow. It’s not his feet. Enoch does not wear shoes. Smooth grasses cover most of the non-forested earth. Trees stand tall with no underbrush. As it does each day, the canopy of mist shelters from direct sunlight and keeps the ground moist but not muddy.
He thinks about Adam and learns truths from the fall into sin. Disobedience shadows the first man’s reputation. Weeds grow in places as a result of Adam’s sin – they bear prickly seeds when no one pulls and discards them. Nokh sees carcasses picked over by vultures. These stinking things remind him about the reality of death and corruption.
Enoch accepts without doubt,
‘Death came into the world because of disobedience. Because all people have sinned,
‘I face death as long as I live on earth.’
We all are born sinners, separated from God.
This is the word of the Lord.’
Good journeys have a goal and this one is to meet Adam. Enoch wonders,
‘Is it possible?’
He and Orna had met many of their ancestors who live near Eden, but never Adam. He is reclusive and difficult.
‘Will Adam want to meet me?’
Time alone on the trail helps Enoch reflect and arrange priorities. Ever since the festival experience his perspective has changed. Now he is moving on to fulfill the greatest desire and yearning of his heart.
‘I yearn for the Lord more than I have ever yearned for anything before this time.’
For several hours he ponders life. Love for Orna remains strong, the children are important; he loves each one. They also were created in the image of God. Male and female. Everyone deserves respect even if they travel different paths. He works hard to love. God asks him to love unconditionally.
Enoch also likes his work, his home, and his reputation. He surely loves that his friends appreciate him. He enjoys feasting and festive celebrations. His own body and its health provide wonderful experiences and give much happiness. These things are nice. He likes the luxury of worry-free comfortable living.
Thinking about Haran’s scars that were made at a festival makes him sad. Tears stream from his eyes.
‘God! How can my friend, the one I have loved whom I have spent countless hours with, laughing, working, sweating, teasing, struggling with turn against me?
These thoughts conflict him. How will he talk to Haran? Can he convince him to follow God and reject the new religion?
Eventually after overthinking the whole thing, he turns it over to God. God will deal with Haran with grace and truth.
“I am sure our love as brothers has not been wasted.’
Settling into the routine of walking, eating, sleeping, and pressing toward the goal: Enoch suddenly jumps up!
A sound! Too close for comfort!
He reaches reflexively for his javelin and dagger.
It is night! He waits!
Then a panther’s claw lashes out.
‘Too close for the javelin!’
With dagger in hand he wrestles the cat to the ground, both still with great strength. A rip on Enoch’s shoulder matches Haran’s scars.
With his uninjured arm he strikes the ribcage of the beautiful animal. It sinks down and struggles viciously till death wins.
‘Thank you! God!’
Nokh breathes deeply; panic takes longer to go away. With little sleep the rest of the night, he longs for the first light of day. Packing quickly, he hits the trail earlier than usual. His heart races erratically.
The reality of sin and death dogs his every step. Is there hope for redemption?
What Enoch does not know is that scouts from town are following him.
He is not alone!
Scouts had heard the death struggle. They see the carcass. They watch him cleanse his shoulder wounds and then see him stretch out on soft grasses allowing healing light to warm his tired body.
They smell meat sizzling over fire: They see him pray to God.
The Lord will provide his daily bread, will he protect him from these enemies?