Enoch gives the only answer he knows to give.
‘I still build simple and temporary altars outside of town. Many tell us they reject what we do because it is too easy and incredibly old fashioned.’
He then sits patiently talking with the young men. They understandably are confused about many things after their experience. Enoch does not give ready answers, but willingly listens and shows respect. He says,
‘The faith-answers are the hard ones.’
God had told them how to approach his holiness now that the entrance to the garden was blocked. They do not need to ask why God does what he does. God does all things according to the good pleasure of his own will. He asks us to believe him when he says,
‘This is the way, walk in it!’
Mattawn questions why Adam and his closest descendants who have remained near the garden are giving up hope for this world. He perceptively asks,
‘Why are the older women, like Grandmother Ebele stronger than the men? They rule!’
Enoch had heard the stories about God’s curse on the world when Adam sinned. Caution in answering his son caused him to say,
‘I still believe that Eve took matters into her own hands and disobeyed the command of the Lord and that is why wives should submit to their own husbands. But I tell you this, respect for him must come first.’
He turns toward the other young man from Ebele’s family, looks deeply into his eyes, and says,
‘You are from Ebele’s family and you know what she would want you to decide about this false religion of the city. What will you do?’
That week they see no response. The young man helps Enoch and Mattawn prepare for the journey west. He serves them selflessly with no indication of division.
Even the final night of rest provides no answer. At morning light he begins to walk with them. At first his steps falter as if he is going to escort them away from town and then turn back.
Enoch senses the intense temptation the young man is facing. He prays earnestly that this one who has been such a strong follower of God, will not turn back.
At the end of the day the three sleep beside one another, with love, peace and joy surrounding them, clean, refreshed after enjoying the healing waters of the river. The young man conquers temptation. Self-control saves the day. He continues toward home with friends. They have become walkers together with God.
This journey still takes many days and when they arrive home the community welcomes them with encouragement, hugs, and wonderful refreshment.
Together they build a simple altar, sacrifice a young lamb, share the good things God has provided, and worship the Lord in the beauty of obedience to his word.
It does not take long for Enoch to notice an overpowering sadness in the community. Violence had struck while they were away. It was shortly after he left that a band of unknown invaders from the east attacked, killed, and robbed.
Ebele believes she has failed and wishes to turn her leadership over to others. She humbles herself before the Lord and her people.
The young man who had served Enoch so well steps forward and offers to help. He understands temptation and says,
‘I wanted to stay in the city. It was so exciting. The sons of God are powerful. But there is something terribly wrong about their claim that they do what they do for God.’
His words, like a breath of fresh air instill new life into a dying faith community. The man willingly takes his place among the new leadership. There is one condition he says,
‘If I lead I will teach the way of the altar.’
Adam also makes the effort, not without a struggle, to leave his seclusion. He joins forces with his community to stand for the worship of God against the growing violence from outsiders.
Enoch loves sitting for hours with Adam. They walk and talk with one another among the towering trees in the cool of the day. Enoch imagines what it had been when Adam walked with God in the garden.
Talking coming easily while walking. Adam speaks with guarded voice,
‘I find it extremely difficult to trust people. I do not trust myself!’
Joy had gone out of his life. Adam’s sadness was different than Enoch’s at the loss of his wife. Regret underscored everything he thought and did. This cloud affected many.
Adam accepts without doubt,
‘God has forgiven me for my transgression and I have life because of the blood of the lamb.’
Adam’s sin that affected the entire world, cannot be undone. He looks at the trees, the waters of his river, the stars, and each one reminds him of what could have been. They are all that he has left of the many things God had given in the beginning.
‘I go and sit near the gate of Eden, not too close, and weep for all I have lost.’
Enoch remained still and silent for a long time. Finally he says,
‘Is there a way to peace?’
He wondered if faith in the altar was enough.
Adam says,
‘It is the only way. There is none other!’
Enoch ponders,
‘Is he saying that faith in God who has revealed his word to us is all that God requires? If I trust God, must I not obey him?’
Adam speaks,
‘I cannot tell you about God. My knowledge of good and evil has affected me so much, I am blinded by my own humanity.’
Mahalalel had instructed Enoch about God and the curse of sin. All that had been beautiful and marvelous for all people created in the image of God is ruined.
Adam becomes sleepy and speaks softly,
‘I am genuinely sorry, Enoch. That is all I can say. Come another time. Bring your son!’
Enoch feels comfortable asking,
‘Can you teach me what it is to be human?
Adam drifts,
‘Yes, we can talk about that.’