He does not often choose to leave the security of his home, but Adam braces himself to go against the inevitable emotional storm and accompany Enoch. Mattawn and his wife Elena, have added another boy to their growing family.
Mattawn greets them warmly as he runs out to welcome them.
‘Elena wishes to speak with you.’
He says to Adam after a pause in the greeting. Mattawn’s eyes squint together playfully as they pierce into the very soul of his forefather.
Adam steps back deep in thought.
‘This is why I do not like venturing far from the quiet peace of my solitary life at home. I don’t like travel. Talks about the past pain my inner being.’
Even though his body has youthful strength, his soul withers.
Girls and boys bound toward Enoch with laughter as the party approached the waiting family. Nokh reaches out gathering them in his arms, kneeling right down to meet their eyes.
One of the children eagerly announces,
‘Thank you for coming, we have a new baby brother.’
Another tugs his hand,
‘Come meet him!’
A great, great-great-grandfather’s presence often makes the younger ones feel uncomfortable. This time they are surprised he reaches out and beckons the youngest ones to snuggle right on his lap.
They share a warm and happy time of family love. Few things in this world bring joy as much as harmonious family time.
Mother and baby are ready to receive them. Elena casts her eyes from the baby into the eyes of her aged grandfather.
Her depth of sweetness and respect makes Adam uncomfortable. She says,
‘Thank you for coming to visit me. This is one of the greatest honors of my life. I love you, grandfather.’
He takes her hand with a thoughtful caress and says,
‘It is my honor to meet you. What do you wish to ask me?’
Adam typically spends little time with small talk. The others sense that this is a private moment between the two and quietly step away.
‘Even though we have never met face to face, I feel a deep love for you that I cannot always explain, even to myself.’
She begins. Her eyes sparkle with simplicity and natural unadorned beauty even though she has experienced the profound pain of childbirth.
Adam steps back wishing to distance himself from her sweetness. He lifts his arm as if protecting himself and says,
‘How can you say you love me when I am responsible for your pain?’
‘Oh grandfather, please listen to me.’
She continues,
‘How can I show you my love?’
His ready answer catches him by surprise.
‘Forgive me for what I have done to you and all women. It is more than the pain of giving birth. You have become the weaker vessel with a monthly cycle of difficulty.
Elena looks away as Adam continues.
‘No man knows the periodic discomfort and weakness of the flow of blood.’
Elena hides her eyes with her delicate hand.
‘You are right! No man understands. God has helped me overcome this too.’
After an embarrassingly long silence,
‘If I had been chosen to live in the garden as you and my great-grandmother, would I have done it differently?’
She looks out at the towering greatness of the gently swaying trees visible through the opening around her comfortable bed and ponders.
‘If I stood where Eve stood, I may have resisted but I do not know that. I do know that God has said we will be saved through childbearing. I thank him that I am privileged to give life.’
Then rather abruptly Elena asks,
‘How long will my baby live?’
Her ancient grandfather answers.
‘I have now lived more than nine hundred and twenty-five years. Only God knows how long others will live.’
She respectfully says,
‘That is not what I mean. You are speaking of life as a human on this sinful earth. You know that death came by sin. What is death? Once life begins does it ever end?’
Adam says,
‘Your wisdom exceeds that of many others. I have hope for a life that never ends because of God’s promise. I am not sure what that life will look like, but I believe.’
He tells her about the separation that came between him and God. The promise of everlasting salvation through the seed of woman he receives by faith. That is all God requires of him.
Adam believes God and it is counted to him for righteousness. The proof of his belief is faithfulness to sacrifice at an altar as God has instructed.
‘One thing I know without doubt is that we all are created in the image of God and God does not die!’
He tenderly watches over her as her eyes close and she falls into a peaceful sleep holding her precious baby tight against her breast.
Her question has been answered.
Adam returns to his home accompanied by several young people. They have found a deep respect for him and experience much joy as he teaches them from God’s word and his life story.
Adam finishes well spending the last years of his life partaking of the fruit of forgiveness, experiencing purpose for living, and resting in peace.