Earth Year 985 CY
When God created the heavens and the earth in six days he started the clock of time. It would never stop. The tick, tick, ticking of time continues and is relentless. Second by second, everything in the universe is bound by its constraints. This is God’s plan.
Every person has the amount of time on earth that God allows. Enoch uses his time to move toward his Creator. He does it by faith. The Lord rewards Enoch’s trust with insights that others do not experience.
Faith is the portal that ushers a person into the presence of God. Those who measure the circle of the sun, moon, and stars carefully record years of life, birth, and death. Methuselah’s people have abilities to measure more accurately than most others. Lamech learns cycles, numbers, and distances. He marks steps and observes,
‘I have traveled ten times to World Edge which is as far from the city on the river and the marshes.’
He first came to the marshes with his grandfather. They also visited the town on the south river that now rivals the original city east of Eden. Time, as recorded by his family, indicates that the cycles of the sun since creation are now nine hundred and eighty-five. God had created man from the dust of the earth, breathed into him the breath of life on the sixth day, and named him Adam.
After Eve sins, God reveals that woman will bear weaknesses in her body every cycle of the moon and this pattern will allow her to bring forth life from what he calls,
‘The seed of the woman.’
Even though the seed is from man, it becomes part of her when it is placed in her body. God tells woman that she will nurture a baby for nine cycles of the moon before it can live without the supply of her blood. Baby girls and baby boys inherit their sinful condition from the seed of the father. Therefore life is in the seed.
The great wickedness of Enoch’s generation, perhaps the worst sin of all, is worship and participation in this seed of the man. Those who practice this false worship religiously participate during the proper cycle of the moon. They teach that God requires these practices. The sons of God who possess self-proclaimed superior knowledge demand obedience.
In contrast to the elaborate rituals of the ungodly, those who obey the word of God originally given by God in the beginning continue to practice it as the truth. They do not follow a religious cycle of keeping days but live with reverence every day in the eyes of a holy God.
A sacrifice is made when needed. Forgiveness for sin is always current. The worship honors the Lord more than all the costly rituals of the wicked. No one can turn back time but those who obey know that all sins are forgiven.
Enoch allows the Lord to lead him in this path of righteousness for God’s sake. All glory, honor, and praise belong to God.
That is the way it is with time. Each moment counts. Those who walk with God use their moments to come closer in relationship with God and others.
Enoch speaks a consistent message.
‘We choose to walk with God. He exists and faithfully reveals his will to us. Believe and obey. This is the way. Walk in it.’
All people have a word from God.
Nokh told Methuselah and his family years ago as they shared a meal of grain, cheese, and the fruit of the field.
‘Knowing about God is not sufficient. He calls us to love as he loves.’
In those days they often discussed how families live together because they belong to each other.
‘Abiding means that we know where we belong. We are part of the family and dwell together—all the time, in every situation. This is a place of belonging, not a level of relationship. Relationships are unique and frequently changeable; belonging is consistently the same.’
Lamech as a young unmarried youth added a thought that all agreed on.
‘Grandfather, you are a notable example. I like your way of life. It is not what you say, it is what you are.’
Enoch’s visit to the plains of Ararat had caused Lamech to follow him on this long and incredible journey. It must now end. On the way north from another south town visit, Nokh decides to do something he has never thought of doing before this time. He will take his beloved grandson to the private meeting place where God and angels meet him. He says,
‘Lamech, we will go to my special sanctuary where I have never taken anyone else. Please understand I do not boast. It humbles me to think of the glory of God I have seen there. Why has the Lord chosen me? It is not about me. All I can do is open my life to him.’
Lamech’s heart beats fast as they head in this new direction. Enoch’s races furiously as they approach the place.
‘What!’
With a cry of distress, he says,
‘It is gone!’
They stand rigid with disbelief, searching intently, eyes wide open. Nothing is destroyed. Trees look like all the others in the surrounding forest. Nokh’s sitting stone has been taken away. A mature climbing red rose looks as if it has been there for years. They see untouched beauty.
‘Are you sure this is the place?’
The younger man thinks perhaps his grandpa is not remembering because of his age. Nokh responds.
‘I know this was real—much more than a spiritual reality, it took place in time and in this space.’
Then Enoch moves toward the Gates of Eden which are partially obscured by the roses. He assures his grandson that he can come too. They walk toward the gates. Lamech falls to the ground in fear at the sight of the Cherubim. Flaming swords stop them.
‘Are you sure this is safe grandfather?’
‘I did not say it is safe. I said it is good.’
For some unknown reason, they make a hasty retreat toward the mysterious darkness of the swamps in the marshes. Beasts threaten. Familiar walkways are gone. Unseen warriors surround them. With heroic effort, they stumble toward the river that flows out to the setting of the sun.
Enoch does not know what has happened. In the night when they are camped on solid ground beside the clear and stilled waters of the river, an angel shows Nokh the sitting stone that God has taken away.
This is the stone upon which he had spent so many wonderful hours delighting in the presence of the plurality of God’s majestic fullness. God had said,
‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’
The angel speaks of the only way to God.
‘The one who created everything that has been created is the only way anyone, including your grandson Lamech, can approach. It is by him and through him and for him.’
Nokh submits,
‘I trust you. Thank you for the word of God. I know how much he loves me.’
Before leaving, the messenger says,
‘Send Lamech to his people. Ask your community to send the gold with him.’
The people eagerly obey God’s messenger and help Lamech prepare for the journey. Four godly youths, full of energy with adventurous minds are chosen to go with him. Each one will carry a backpack loaded with shiny pieces of stone.
Two are vibrant women ready to take on the world. The group, listening to Enoch’s guidance planned to take the seldom-used pathway on the north side of the Euphrates. When they get to Haran’s grave they could make a new trail north toward Lamech’s home in Ararat. It will not be an easy trip. Danger surrounds them on every side.
The group avoids notice by traveling in darkness. At this time there is only one people group, one type of dress, one language, one heritage. There is one message from the Lord and He desires voluntary submission to Him by all people in all things.
After camping at Haran’s burial place, the five set out on the lengthy and unknown trek toward Lamech’s home. It becomes a great adventure. They all thrive and enjoy the moments because they know God is with them. By the time they arrive safely, Lamech makes a life-changing decision. He is attracted to the beauty of the young women who come with them. He chooses one.
She shares much in common with him. They love calculating distances, years, and people’s ages according to the cycles of the moon, sun, and stars. Her hiking skills surpass his. She is beautiful from the inside out, with a happy spirit that brings others joy. Her amazing dark complexion is so silky and smooth, and most importantly her openness in trusting God surpasses understanding.
He asks.
With a typical lyrical voice and a giggle, she replies.
‘I desire with all my love to be with you the rest of my life. Will your father approve?’
Enoch, still with his people on the back side of Eden, realizes he needs to make another trip to River City. There are fewer followers in the city, but he must keep his commitment before God to help them.
Dropping in as he often does to his old home place, he sees things that stagger his imagination. Shrines with glittering gems under elaborate arrangements of overarching branches have all been placed throughout the grounds. Altars of fire with the fragrance of piney woods smoldering in yellow basins cause him to catch his breath. It is well done. He feels refreshed.
An ancient olive tree he had nurtured stands in the center with characteristic majesty.
People in highly decorated costumes acknowledge his presence. There is no sign of alarm or animosity. Nokh notes instantly that persons of great stature dress without specific man or woman features. He wonders,
‘Could they be angels?’
Groups intently discussing intellectual topics are scattered throughout vast, well-maintained plazas. They smile pleasantly as he walks among them. One of them approaches offering a small vessel holding a fruity opaque but white substance. Enoch foolishly partakes and immediately feels relaxed in the strangeness of his former home.
Another young man suddenly appears at his left side placing his arm around Enoch’s shoulders. He says with powerful but gentle words,
‘Enoch come with me.’
Even in his haze, Nokh recognizes the voice instantly. His costume and demeanor show that this man is a participant of these shrines which are certainly connected with the wicked festival of the city.
He leads them to the far western edge of the homestead. A simple stone marks a burial place. It is not extravagant but indicates that this is the final resting place on earth for the greatest leader the city has ever known. Ywek’s body is here. Many looked up to him as if he were their God.
Without a word and wishing to steady himself, Enoch sits on a stone bench next to the grave and asks,
‘Do you think he believed in God the way I believe?’
He hears a distinct voice even though his eyes flash with swirling lights like fast-moving stars.
‘I do not know. I saw an incredible peace in him as I cradled him close to my chest and his breathing ceased.’
Then almost as if he wants to instruct Enoch.
‘A celebration of man heightens knowledge and will one day bring salvation for the entire world.’
Nokh needs to know.
‘Do you, my friend, believe?’
‘Yes, I believe with all my heart! Ancient words speak truth. New knowledge reveals more.’
The young man turns and walks firmly back to the main plaza. Enoch sits with a broken spirit on the bench for a long time. No one approaches. He is alone.
With God at his side, he walks to the city and quietly makes his way through the familiar old streets and pathways. The old shop is now a place of indecent blasphemy against God. The whole area has become a gathering place for men to pursue their fascination with the source of all life.
There is no sign that anyone still believes that God created the world from nothing.
Man has become the creator.
Gangs, enforcers, persons of violence, wickedness, and proud, arrogant, brutishly profane souls do not answer.
The faithful have left. The city is alive with youthful enthusiasm. Old people and ancient truths have gone away. No one knows or cares where they have gone or if they ever got there.
Enoch thinks they would have gone to the plains away from the river.
Darkness has spread throughout God’s beautiful world. A few see the light of God’s truth. It is a fact, spoken by God himself—Man is not the source of life. God has said.
‘The Seed of woman is the hope of the world!’