Under cover of darkness, Nokh meets with friends in the city. He now knows the consequences if he is apprehended. Those who have chosen to remain in their place in the city are carefully and quietly minding their own business.
Many agree.
‘We are too old to move to a new location, so far away. We will stay believing that the Lord has a purpose for his name in this place.’
Others, not so old, do not wish to leave their familiar surroundings. They are content and too comfortable to uproot all they have known and loved.
The families who left blessed them and promised support. They will help with the necessities of life, if possible, and commit themselves to praying for these fellow believers. There is little they can do because of the great distance between them. They do believe in the power of prayer.
Enoch’s friendship brings them incredible blessings. Some are old friends, and others have come to God recently. They are drawn to one another by the Holy Spirit. Nokh is blessed too. It brings him great joy to give.
Motives are difficult to determine. Nokh often says,
‘I don’t know why I do what I do, so I will not judge the motives of other people.’
God alone knows the heart, the invisible being, within a person.
‘I see facts. What you do may be from pure motives. Or it may not. A performance does not reveal the inner self.’
Enoch tells a small group, some from Methuselah’s people who have delivered goods, some from the city.
The reality of genuine love which builds lasting relationships binds these believers together at this moment. Could a spy infiltrate? Is someone among them for selfish reasons? It could happen.
Before they disburse in separate directions, a man speaks.
‘We realize we cannot preach openly against the excesses and wickedness of our city, but the Lord gives us opportunities to build relationships with other people, one person at a time.’
He is among those who still hold to the faith once and for all delivered to his generation.
Nokh praises the Lord for those who stand true. When he asks about the risk of offering sacrifices, they answer,
‘Yes, it is at great risk. We make altars in private. Man cannot stop us from doing what God has asked us to do!’
Meals shared from house to house have always been part of their world. Eating and drinking together is a fact of life for everyone, rich or poor, young, and old, followers of God, and definitely among those who reject God’s word. This normal behavior helps believers meet together without detection.
Enoch reminds his friends that the shedding of blood is the only way. Feasting, acts of kindness, help or encouragement for one another, and giving of gifts, do not cleanse them from sin.
‘Remember the faith of Abel, the third man, son of Adam, and younger brother of Cain. He had faith to do exactly what God asked of him.’
Many days later, quietness reigns as a simple meal of grain and dried lamb is enjoyed by three men on the banks of the river. The closer they come to the gates of Eden, the beauty intensifies, peace is embraced, and they find a place of rest.
Nokh asks his two young companions.
‘Have you ever felt the life of the water which flows from God’s Garden?’
They had insisted on coming with him. He reluctantly agreed because they desired to spend time learning all that he could teach them about God.
In fact, they came to protect Enoch from ruffians. One said,
‘Show us what you see in the water.’
It is true that after they hear, feel, and experience the refreshment of water, not only for cleansing but for restoration of body and soul, they agree. It is an essential dimension of God’s wonderful creation.
As the three rest in the warmth of the afternoon sun, drying off, Enoch engages them with stories of days from long ago. They hear of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Ebele and Mattawn. He tells of his wife Orna and his love for her.
This journey will be the first time the young men have been this far west—burial places of great men and women of the past intrigue them. Opportunities to meet the living excite me with joy.
‘Grandfather Enoch?’
It didn’t disturb him that he wasn’t a grandson. Many followers are calling him grandfather.
‘You have peace about you all the time. We see that you rest even when things are not peaceful around us.’
The other adds,
‘You have entered a state of rest that transcends circumstances.’
Nokh responds with little sense of pride.
‘I know I have.’
They both eagerly ask.
‘Will you tell us how?’
Enoch walks them through his life of relationship with God. There is confidence, an assurance that conquers doubt and fear.
Trust in God overcomes circumstances. The Lord gives us power, love, and sound minds.
‘As you grow in your strengthening relationship with God himself, you experience the promised rest.’
He tells them it is not an experience or decision in time. It is a step-by-step growing love, living by faith, obeying God’s word, faithfully coming to God over and over again.
‘Rest comes when you will meditate on God’s message day and night. Prayer is another element essential for this walk with God. Pray without ceasing!’
The two men are deeply disappointed. Enoch insists that they return to the city. At once! They must split up and go another way than they came.
‘We must protect one another when we walk with God.’
The sacrifice is accepted by these men who are growing stronger. They ask about the gates of Eden.
‘Are the Cherubim still there?’
Nokh speaks.
‘They were standing there the last time I went to my special place of prayer where I loved being near God.’
Even though the joy of the Lord is their strength, sadness lingers as the two men turn toward home, in the city.
Steps in opposite directions unite them. They are faithful followers of God. Each one follows the way God has planned.