On the journey back to his new town on the south river, Nokh spends quality time with his cousin. They often sacrifice personal interests to get together.
Growing relationships require this spirit of openness and willingness to share resources, time, and words of appreciation. In some ways, they are closer to each other than ever before. Even though they live far apart, their minds are now knit together because of the Lord.
Haran talks seriously about moving with his family to the new town on the Gihon. Enoch cautions.
‘Please wait for our Lord’s direction on making such a major change in all of your lives. Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.’
They agree that wickedness is increasing in every place. Moving to a new location does not make it any easier to walk with God.
Haran says he will seek to follow God’s plan for them. They hold each other in a firm hug. This final sign of their love eases the pain of being apart.
The situation in the new town is not much better when Nokh arrives home. It begins to rival the big city so many new families have arrived. Empty houses are quickly filled with new residents. Hearts take longer to heal when most come because of unhappy separations.
His old neighbor on the metal workers avenue is happy to welcome Enoch and says to him.
‘You have earned the respect of most people in town. If you take charge, and step up to the work God wants you to do, our community would be a better place to live. Your leadership will make a difference.’
Enoch is tempted because he begins to believe what the people are telling him. A group of people decide to take his leadership role seriously. Women and children speak highly of him. In their minds, he is the best choice. His intelligence, handsome appearance, and vast reserve of experience appeal to followers. In addition, younger women often speak of his singleness.
Enoch sees too many of these people obey God in faith believing, and then live with no restraint against sin. They misunderstand freedom from sin to do whatever they want to do and trust that God will forgive them.
Methuselah and his followers add rules to God’s word. These new townspeople disregard too many of God’s words. As Enoch ponders these things in his mind he receives assurance that either pattern is not what God wants. It is like these followers are walking in ditches on the side of the path. Both are living according to the works of the flesh. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. All who come will walk by faith, not by sight. A person cannot see faith. In contrast, the works of the flesh are visible for all to see.
God has revealed that he sees the inner being of each person. He sees faith. Enoch does not need to prove that he has faith. God knows all things. The Lord reveals to him,
‘I have prepared things for you to do. If you are walking by faith you will do them for my sake.’
Enoch understands that the works God has planned are unique for each person. God had told him.
‘You should not force good works on your family or friends!’
God’s voice is much different than Nokh expects. It is not loud or frightening. There is no feeling of hurry or threat. It is a still, small voice.
The first thing that comes into Enoch’s mind upon waking from a long, restful sleep is God reminding him,
‘I have made you clean on the inside. You cannot make yourself clean in my eyes by your works of righteousness.’
Enoch’s lips are parched. He feels they have been touched gently by a hot knife.
It takes more than a week of days, the pattern of seven that God designed in creation, for Nokh to speak to the people of each avenue in the new town. He assures them of his love and deep concern for each family. They are encouraged to walk with God as a solution for unrest, impatience, and jealousy.
Enoch will not become their leader.
‘I will not take the place of God in your lives.’
Enoch’s walk with God is a spiritual reality. He often speaks of it in physical terms but knows that is only a way to describe it. When asked what do you mean that we should walk by faith, he answers,
‘One step at a time.’
God appeared to Enoch with real physical presence, just as he walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening in the garden he prepared for them.
Enoch sings aloud as he walks toward that garden. His lyric singing with rhythmic intonation lifts his spirit toward God.
‘The path I chose is Mine. With joy, I will endure.
Tears and groans abound. You wicked, sin-cursed place.
Alone yet not Alone. Innumerable steps Sublime.
Step after step: My Day. There is no other Way.
My Guide, my Friend: I pray. Onward: I cannot stay.
With You, Spiritual: Real. God’s tug continually feel.’
By the time he reaches the waters issuing from the garden, still united as one; his love, his devotion to God reaches a high place of praise and adoration. Sitting quietly he perceives something he has never observed in all his travels. This has to be the summit of the earth. How else could the waters move so swiftly? Is it possible that God created a globe with one land mass and the waters flow ceaselessly to fill everything else?
Silently an angel stands, waiting just a few steps from him. Enoch speaks first.
‘Why are you still guarding the entrance to the garden after so many years?’
An angelic voice answers. The lyric quality is far superior to anything human.
‘Our master has asked us to do so. We stop people from entering the garden. It concerns the Tree of Life. God does not want anyone to eat of it at this time. In the future humans will eat its fruit, but it would be very bad for them to do so at present in your sinful world.’
He explains that the tree is still standing, majestic and healthy.
‘If you or any other human would eat the fruit you would live forever in your sinful condition. Nokh, you are not destined for such an eternity.’
They talk with one another about the killing of animals, the sacrifices, the blood, and how people can enter the presence of God. Then suddenly a multitude says with angelic voices,
‘God has a better plan. We do not understand. Our work is God’s command. This is our joy.’
Then something unknown to Enoch in all of his experience; a dark shadow moves across the sun and he hears these somber chords.
‘We know God also calls us to destroy. We feel the heart of God. We weep when he weeps.’
This glorious sound reaches Enoch’s heart. There is so much he does not understand. There are no more questions. He rests in the word God has given him.
The angel tells him about the nature of free will. Humans have the freedom to choose God’s pathway which leads to life. Angels were created before time. One of them rebelled against God and huge numbers chose to follow him in his rebellion. They made their choice. They have no hope. They are trapped as rebels forever and ever.
Humans on the other hand, have fallen into the pit of sin because Adam sinned. God had chosen Adam to be the only representative for all mankind. When he sinned, all sinned. Therefore every human is separated from the glory of God. The glory of God is at the Tree of Life.
‘You see we are not human and you will always be human. Your rebellion is different than ours. You have hope of salvation through the blood of the sacrifice. We do not!’
Enoch asks,
‘Did I make the wrong choice when I refused to become the leader of my town on the south river?’
Another angel in clothing just like Enoch’s steps close and speaks so quietly Nokh puts a hand up to his ear to hear.
‘You mean that new one where you have many friends who say they are following God just as you do? You did what you felt our Master would want you to do. That is all I can say.’
He explains that those who read God’s word, treasure it, and talk to God continually begin to think as God thinks. Their choices will be the ones they should make.
The first angel agrees and adds,
“God has great plans for the place where the south river town stands. It will affect every person who ever lives on earth.’
They explain that the place where Enoch lives will see the fulfillment of God’s plan for all ages. Enoch murmurs.
‘The town is falling apart. How is that possible? Am I the one who could make a difference?’
He hears,
‘No place will ever prosper the way you wish as long as sin controls the thoughts and intentions of the human.’
Nokh lifts his hands toward the gates as he feels an intense blast of heat from the flaming swords. He falls to the ground. There is no place for pride or position, abilities, or influence. Enoch’s ambition changes course. From that day forward he strives to be very distinctively God’s in every haphazard circumstance.
It is difficult. Many times he is tempted to assert his ability to control. As long as he stays on course, peace replaces frustration. He even takes naps in the middle of the day.
Two cycles of the sun pass before Enoch returns to the faithful of the big city. Reports from Methuselah encourage him. Grace wins the hearts of believers. Every time Nokh has an opportunity he gives the same message.
‘All truth points to God. Sin separates humanity from God. God is love and because he is God he makes a way for many to walk with him; it is the way of hope. Treasure the words from the Lord. They are sharper than the best knifes and darts I have ever made.’
Without direction from God, he would not be the man he is. His respect for the words of God has marked him. He has become God’s kind of man. Not perfect. But marked as the man who always speaks the same message. A message of salvation and hope, without compromise.