Time stands still for Enoch. He knows God called him to life—abundant and free. Right now it is different. God asks him to come to meet with him at the gate.
Enoch comes.
‘When I am with my Lord I lose all sense of time. Does God live outside the constraints of time?’
Now they talk, and they walk together. They embrace. Enoch sees a physical being who is at home in the world he created. He sees the mind of God, its wisdom, he sees perfection and righteousness, justice, and love.
Enoch begins to understand how all unrighteousness affects God. Sin Grieves God. It divides God from people. It demands a terrible payment. It enslaves.
The plan to break sin’s chains is not fully explained to Enoch. God cries out with sorrow at the awful price that will be paid to conquer sin and death.
Standing in the presence of the holy one convinces Nokh. Sin is rebellion.
The Lord talks about his nature, his plurality, and at the same time the simplicity of his oneness. Enoch accepts truth by faith. To attempt to understand is rebellion.
The voice of God causes him to bow down with respect even as his eyes look up and see that they are full of compassion.
Some ideas are not spoken. They rise in his mind. His will is captured. Nokh’s entire being dances with incredible joy.
Words come.
‘Those who walk with me will forgive as I have forgiven.’
Enoch barely whispers through tears.
‘Do you mean I could forgive the ones who killed my family, my beloved son, Mattawn?’
‘I want you to be like me. If you love me, do as I do. Nokh, I have forgiven you. Forgive one another.’
Mercy is an action, not a feeling. God tells him that mercy restores relationships. It does not dispense judgment, but pays a price and takes the judgment on itself so that life can replace death.
Without mercy forgiveness fails. Grace flows gently from mercy just as the waters pass the Cherubim who stand guard at the gates.
‘No one enters without my permission.’
Enoch worships.
‘Thank you, Lord, for who you are.’
When he realizes the physical presence is gone he hears a voice.
‘Go to your son Methuselah. He needs you. In recent years he has moved to the outer edges of life on earth. He is also moving to the edges of my grace. He acts as if he rejects my mercy.’
Enoch steps back.
‘I think he accepted the truth years ago. He is faithful at the sacrifice of the altar. He believes the blood is sufficient. You have forgiven him.’
‘Yes Enoch you are right, he believes and acts on his belief, but he foolishly attempts to live by the flesh after accepting by faith.’
Enoch looks up incredulously.
‘How can I help him?’
The Lord patiently instructs his friend reminding him why he is named Methuselah. He is the man of the dart. Like a dart, he is becoming an instrument of judgment in my hand. Methuselah will live a very long life, longer than anyone else, and his death will trigger my wrath against unequaled wickedness.’
The Lord then tells how this sincere servant is forcing his convictions on others, and how he attempts to control the community of believers with his man-made darts of condemnation. He demands conformity to his standards of righteousness.
‘Methuselah must grow in steadfast love. I do not desire performance. I want him to know me as you know me. You can help. Will you go?’
‘I will go.’
Nokh never gets tired of any journey. He keeps his mind on the goal and makes the most of each step of the way. A special joy is shared over a meal with Haran and his family in the city.
‘It is much worse than I thought.’
Enoch says to the group. Haran has maintained his place on the Euphrates in the city but it looks like a walled compound with sturdy structures and coverings on door and window openings. A majestic olive tree still standing in the front plaza welcomes all who enter. Haran warns.
‘Please guard your words carefully. Spies for the unity guards have embedded themselves everywhere. We do not know who we can trust.’
The warning is taken seriously and any talk about God is avoided in large gatherings.
A young woman joins them and tells of her faith in God and the secret meetings she attends. Numbers are few but faith is strong. Nokh prays and rejoices with them.
Before leaving the city he meets privately with other believers. They encourage one another and bless each other. Several wish to go with Enoch to visit Methuselah who lives far to the east.
These encouragements allow them to worship in small groups throughout the city. Fervent prayer shared by all goes with them as they step out in faith. The journey is an act of worship. Nokh’s leadership is a blessing.
Each evening they rest beside vernal pools. The river is far behind them. Some have never been so far from the security of the river.
Mists cool them after the exertion of travel. Warmth from the earth sustains comfort at night. Fruit, grains, and green things are found in abundance along the trail. God supplies their needs.
Enoch’s example makes a difference. He gives glory to God. His consistent faith, his love, and the way he speaks the truth make others feel safe. He cares for people.
The party settles beside one of the spectacular pools. Amazing surroundings include profuse shades of green, luxuriant bowers with flowing streams of pink, red, and yellow roses, birds, bright orange with touches of blue, and delicate purple orchids rising like sentinels to the tops of evergreen trees.
Mists hover around balls floating, or perhaps suspended, in mid-air reflecting predominant shades of blue with shining twinkles, both red and gold. Variations combine to dazzle the eyes. After long, bone-wrenching travel they stand under a mist ball allowing its healing waters to caress their tired bodies. Emerging their skin tingles. Minds and emotions embrace clean energy and renewed focus, rejoicing because of God’s great faithfulness.
One of the travelers, more than one hundred years younger than Enoch asks,
‘Father! How do you keep such a joyful spirit when we are surrounded by perverse hatred, violence, and danger?’
Enoch says.
‘I have learned to enjoy the moment. As I walk with God, his joy is my strength. Look at the waters. We do not know where they come from and where they go, but God has given them to us. Without water, we could not survive. Every good gift comes from above, from the only one who is our father, who does all things for his pleasure and our good.’
Water is essential for life. It takes many forms. Thirst is quenched, it soaks into the ground and waters the earth, and it comes down from above. Things float on water. Water cleanses.
Families make devices that drift in quiet waters. Children play in shallows for much of the day. Men use watercraft to transport materials.
When the group arrives at Methuselah’s home they are amazed to see a well-ordered community. Shelters are substantial but look alike, plain, and foreboding. The people wear tight, somber clothing and all look alike. There is no display of affection.
Nokh finds faith, at least they speak of belief in God, but something is missing. He watches and asks God what he is supposed to do.
They speak of love for God and one another but a lack of warmth casts a shadow over the entire community.
When they have a quiet moment together, Enoch asks his eldest son,
‘Do I see an unnatural legalism in your life?’
Methuselah answers without offense.
‘That is what we are. We walk circumspectly so God will be pleased.
‘All right, I will ask you a question.’
Methuselah continues to look his father in the eye and shows no sign that he is upset.
Enoch asks,
‘Do you have a list of things you have to do each day to please God?’
Methuselah says with no hesitation.
“Yes!’
He immediately goes through its carefully thought-out contents. It includes wonderful, healthy, and godly attitudes and activities. He explains that by keeping these things our minds become pure. Our works show that we are walking in God’s will—we come close to all that he wants us to be.
‘Those of us who religiously follow these concepts most perfectly have an assurance of a right standing before God.’
Enoch finds it difficult to argue against anything on the list but he is confident that this approach to God is not what the Lord desires. He has said enough. Only God can convince Methuselah that he wants a relationship, not a performance. Enoch prays. He blesses his son, Methuselah, his firstborn, the son he appreciates and loves. He and Orna had given their son to God years ago. He lets God take care of his own.
God’s words echo in Nokh’s head.
‘The blood of the lamb pleases me. Do not add to my words and do not take away from them. I have given you all you need for life and godliness.’
Now alone on his long walk home, wherever that may lead him, Enoch faces refreshing pleasures, dark dangers, and an unknown future, meditating on the word of God.
‘My grace is sufficient for you.