Enoch wisely repeats over and over,
‘I will not make any decisions right now!’
And with pure determination and strength of character he continues, one step at a time, to find help for the baby. Enoch knows.
‘He needs a nursemaid to care for him.’
They had come too far to turn back to Mahalalel and his family. Some of Adam’s daughters had settled further ahead, but from what he had heard, they need as much help as he does.
Division within their family and care for Eve, their mother, has taken its toll.
Desperate people grasp at anything to survive. Life is stronger than death. God has put power to conquer death and sin in every man’s heart. Call it conscience, faith, or plain old stubbornness: Enoch has a fair share of it.
He will use this power for his own survival and of much greater significance for Mattawn.
The baby needs help and soon. This realization causes Enoch to press toward the source of life – the Garden of Eden.
He loses all sense of time. The baby somehow wondrously, miraculously accepts the waters of the river as his only sustenance.
Approaching one of the oldest outposts in the area Enoch sees a woman. Ebele looks up! She has lived all her life separated from the congested cities of the east. Strangers seldom come into her protected and hidden place. Her eyes, dark and sparkling, reveal wonder, even excitement.
A disheveled man who looks very old comes stumbling toward her with a newborn baby in his hands. He does not cuddle the little one to his chest, but holds him out as an offering to her.
‘He looks like he has not eaten for days. Who is this stranger among us?’
Ebele quickly prays, as is her custom, relieved that this is not a threat but a blessing. Violence is spreading even in this isolated region. Most of the younger ones have moved off to the east, leaving her settlement peaceful but dwindling.
She fears God with a trusting heart and moves quickly to help. With grace she reaches out and takes Mattawn from Enoch who says,
‘He needs nourishment and a mother’s care.’
With immense joy Ebele springs into action, taking care of the situation, finding a nursing mother, and praising God for an opportunity to serve.
Enoch needs more than physical restoration. Using few words he purchases a lamb. He walks deep into the forest – far from the river and weak as he is he somehow builds an altar
There he meets God in the only way he knows – with tears, anger, obedience, and the blood of the lamb.
With Mattawn safe in the care of this peaceful community, Nokh spends hours in solitude – with God. Sleep helps. Succulent roast lamb restores. Worship gives confidence. Recognition that God is God and complete submission to his revealed will brings rest.
‘God, I believe you! You are good all the time.’
Days turn into weeks. Seth, third born son of Eve and Adam is part of this community. The coming of Enoch brings revival to him. Family surrounds family. Stories encourage broken hearts. Mattawn survives.
The leaders decide that Nokh should continue to seek friendship with Adam. They warn – many times such things are not as easy as they should be.
Adam has been marked by the weight of his sin and the fact that it has been passed on to the entire world does not help. Some say Eve never completely recovered.
Eve and Adam faithfully worshipped at the altar. They lived responsibly bearing children, as God commanded, and worked the ground for food. Aching bones and sore muscles reminded them that death hovered over their home.
Enoch begins to understand,
‘It is a heavy load to bear.’
At this same time, far away to the east, Haran also carries a heavy load.
Ever since his boy, Hazron, returned from the scouting trip, Haran could not rest. Guilt about the broken relationship with cousin, Enoch robs him of peace. Thoughts continually invade his mind,
‘Enoch has peace. His courage, faith, and hope inspire me – it is real, not just a performance to impress others.’
Even in the face of opposition Haran’s cousin, formerly his constant companion and co-worker, shows strength of character.
God placed human conscience within the mind of every person. Haran’s conscience is troubling his mind and he knows it is from God.
‘How can I ignore what God is telling me?’
Love pursues him. Remembrance of good times together stirs him; trees, families, laughter, meat and drink, hugs along with work: He has to resolve this. Love wins!
Haran looks at his son Hazron having finished the evening meal and as they begin to settle down to rest, he says,
‘Tell me again about Enoch and what happened when he saved you in the river.’
Hazron answers sharply,
“I have already told you, dad!”
Haran’s mind will not let it rest.
‘But how did Mahalalel convince Azar to let your uncle go?’
‘I do not know! It was like someone conquered his darkness. Azar is dark! He tells us his father gets messages from God, but it scares me.’
Haran softly replies,
‘I know what you mean son.’
After securing the home Haran settles down for the night but his thoughts continue,
‘Why does Nokh’s hope unnerve me? I believe God. He believes, but he has something more.’
Hope makes a difference. Haran’s hope is in the new religion of the community. Enoch’s hope is in the word of God, unchangeable, all powerful: Enoch possesses a confident expectation that the Lord will do everything he has promised to do. Haran doubts.
His troubled mind stops. Exhausted, he slumps into a fitful sleep.