Joy of discovery drives six people toward the setting sun. They do not know where the river will lead them. The hike is much easier than Enoch had experienced on the north river. Open fields interspersed between large groves of deep green fir trees provide great hunting for food, downed wood to burn, and some of the softest places to set up camp.
Large cats prowl throughout the night. Enoch carries one of his trusty darts. It has served him well. These animals have a mysterious beauty. Yellow eyes pierce into the very soul of those who are fortunate enough to see one. They can pounce on their prey with unmatched speed after sitting for hours without motion.
The travelers have decided that these beings must be the most majestic and powerful among the animals God created. When they cuddle their young a loud purring sound is heard. Sleepy eyes often undetected, unconcerned of any danger, look out upon the world.
The river fascinates because of the swiftness of the waters which still meander through forest and meadow. The eye thinks there must be a steep incline but the level horizon reveals that the territory is surprisingly flat.
Everyone in the group learns to float, which adds speed and excitement to the trip. They remind themselves.
‘We have to walk back to our starting place near the marshes.’
Another imagines,
‘Is it possible that the waters could swallow us and we would be lost in the center of the earth forever?’
No one knows the answer, but it causes them to continue with caution. The days pass since they had started and Lamech reports,
‘This is the thirtieth day since we left your comfortable community Enoch, on the downriver side of the marsh.’
He is the most cautious having no experience around so much water and forest. Lamech lives with his father, Methuselah, on the plains of Ararat far away from any river on the eastern edge of the world. God’s grace has helped him since he journeyed with his grandfather Enoch through cities and towns crowded with people, and then through swamps and marshes. Because he has a happy spirit and talks a lot, he survives good natured teasing and overcomes the many fears he has in this different world. The Lord has helped him to replace fears with power and love and clear thinking. He has earned the respect of the group.
Strength of character, integrity, and sincere desire for God’s truth inspire each man. They form a tight bond of love even as they experience hardship, laughter, tears, and exhaustion on the journey. When Enoch talks about his experience on the far north trail to Lamech’s place they cannot comprehend how he could survive that trip. There is trust and reliance on God and each other.
One of the group, and no one remembers how he joined, is more comfortable keeping the others at a safe distance away from him. He likes being alone. This man has always lived in the big city on the Euphrates. Even though he is of average height, he speaks of his parents as giants. One of the men moans,
‘Is he a spy?’
Nokh remains calm and builds friendship with everyone. His leadership always brings God into the discussion. Sacrifices of small animals and sharing a meal together draws each person into the spiritual reality of discovery.
‘My greatest desire is to know God. I yearn for relationship with him as much as we all look with joy to the morning light after a dark night listening to the prowling cats.’
He begs each one to grow into intimacy with the Lord.
‘We cannot comprehend all there is to know and we must not pretend to know all that God has for us.’
Nokh explains that just as each person is responsible to carry his own weight on this hike, God expects each one to live up to their personal potential. He adds,
‘As we obey what he has revealed, God will reveal more, and if we act in a positive way we enter into a strengthening relationship with God himself.’
They are now almost at the end of the fifth cycle of seven days when a change in the air alerts them to something unknown.
About two days later, toward evening when the mist would normally draw back to reveal the stars they see the sun as never before.
Over vast waters the sun causes them to gasp in unbelief. Gazing with caution because of the brightness which hurts their eyes they see a brilliant orange sphere slipping over the horizon of the waters. Lamech says,
‘We are standing on the edge of the world. We see what no other person has ever seen.’
It is apparent that the world is round since it drops off far to the left and to the right. Spellbound they marvel at thousands of golden reflections dancing upon the water. Then when the stars are the only lights, numberless, unnamed clusters of stars reveal a glory beyond imagination. They all hear these words,
‘Eye has not seen nor ear heard what the Lord has prepared for those who love him.’
Each man falls to the sand, silence reigns except the gentle lapping of the strange waters upon the shore. Those who share experiences that few others have known form a tight unit of friendship that lasts forever.
More cycles of the moon pass on the return trip. Enoch continues to share his thoughts on relationship with God. The younger men listen attentively. Walking, eating, resting, conversation become opportunities to learn God’s ways. Nokh often speaks of his walks with God but does not talk about doing it in God’s Garden. For him the spiritual reality is more important than the physical experience. They ask how to become intimate friends with God.
‘It has taken most of my life to travel this path. Lamech, when your father was born two hundred and ninety three years ago, I decided to walk with God.’
For Enoch it was a dedication of his entire being, body, mind, will, and activities of life. Later he says,
‘Our journey has taken less than half a year, yet we have a growing friendship that is deeper than ever, because we have spent time together. I come closer to God when I spend time with him.’
Lamech asks,
‘How do you spend time with God?
Enoch has a ready answer.
‘Pray without ceasing and read the words of God continually, day and night.’
God is God, there is none beside him, he is the master of the sun, moon, and stars. He requires obedience. A walkers obedience proves itself every step and every moment, with complete trust. God has revealed his will to his people. Good intentions do not build character, action does.
‘We rejoice in hope of the glory of God by entering into God’s grace by faith. It is our responsibility to be found faithful.’
Grandfather is blessed but puzzled when Lamech asks,
‘What have you done to make the Lord your best friend? Do you fear God?’
Enoch humbly bows his head and feels that his words are not sufficient. He prays,
‘O God our God how excellent is your name in all the earth. Please teach us by your spirit, which hovered over the deep in creation, how to walk with you. Thank you!’
In a couple days they should arrive at Nokh’s community by the marshes. Enoch reflects not realizing that some of them are listening.
‘God comes to those who seek him. He desires obedience and if we do not obey our sacrifice is meaningless. That is the reason we build the altar each time out of loose stone. We obey the smallest details. The process leads us to agree with the Lord about our sin. We seek forgiveness as the wood is placed and then the valuable, tied lamb. Our knives cut the throat and blood runs down. Life seeps out. It is gone.’
He knows that the lamb is symbolic of a greater reality. With lyric voice and harmonies of rushing water, birds tweeting, and men preparing food for supper, Nokh sings,
‘My blood, my life are His.
The will of God is known.
Now gladly, I obey,
There is no other way’
As evening hastens the young man from the city asks Nokh to talk. Nokh agrees and the younger leads the older far away from camp to a place downriver where he had stopped for personal reasons and cleansing before catching up with the group.
Uncovering a pile of stones he reveals a stockpile of what they are now calling gold. They shine in the brightness of the moon.
The others looked at each other with distrust when the two had left camp. One says,
‘Should we follow them to make sure he does not harm Nokh?’
They decide it is not wise to pursue them.
The two talk most of the night sitting beside material stockpiled on the ground. The younger starts.
‘I am angry. I have been taught all my life that it is hard to come to God.’
As he continues his concept of God is of one who demands obedience. He will crush those who disobey his many rules.
‘If there is a God, he delights in making humans miserable. He requires bigger and costlier sacrifices and asks for more blood, even from humans, to please him.’
Nokh always prays first. There is silence between them. Then Enoch asks,
‘Do you believe that is the way to God?’
With innocent voice the young one says,
‘That is what I have always believed.’
Nokh listens and gives little advice. God will take care of those who believe in him. He says,
‘I beg you to believe what we have practiced on this journey instead of what your friends have told you to believe. God requires only what he says and is satisfied with our lamb.’
Nokh continues to explain truth passed down through seven generations from Adam to his day. The truth is ancient, timeless, and still relevant.
The other says,
‘It all seems so simple.’
Enoch answers,
‘Yes, and after you agree with God and repent of your sin the real journey begins.’
They talk about the trip, its dangers, discoveries, hardships, and joys. They talk about friendships that last and intimacy with God.
‘Following God’s leadership is a lot like our expedition.’
The student, for he listens well also, asks,
‘Thank you. I wish to ask one more question.’
With a nod of approval Nokh boldly says,
‘Some of our team think you came to report our activities to the officials of the city.’
As morning light exposes their faces, a smirk passes quickly over the city man’s countenance.
‘That is partially true. I came because of Ywek. When he breathed his last breath, I was with him. He whispered in my ear the final words he ever spoke. He said, “Go to Enoch.”‘
Tears flow freely down Nokh’s face. Kneeling in prayer for a long time, so long that his companion feels uncomfortable he does not notice that the man stands, turns and creeps back to his bed. The others still sleeping do not notice.
‘I wish this trip could go on forever.’
One of the hikers says as the six men walk the last mile toward town. Their packs, empty of supplies, are heavy with gold. Each stone is added to the community collection. Not one is missing.
Warm welcomes, feasting which is always greatest after a lengthy trek, thanksgiving with stories of discovered things end with the large group gathering at an altar. Heightened intimacy from all this fellowship among like-minded God-fearing people brings incredible joy.
The young man from the city needs to return to his home and Enoch decides to accompany him through the marshes. Because waterways are constantly changing he needs a guide.
Water moves dangerously around them. Darkness closes in making them feel as if they would suffocate. Beasts of unusual size threaten. Short daggers give some security. The young man asks,
‘Could we really protect ourselves if something rushes toward us?
Enoch laughs,
‘No! But God can.’
When they part Nokh embraces his new fiend. They weep, kiss, and go in different directions. One heads downriver to the east and an uncertain future. He will always treasure the trip and the long talks.
Standing alone, Nokh thanks God. Then he walks slowly toward his quiet place. The fear of the Lord comforts him as tears of reverent devotion for God bless his inner self.
Angels meet him and lift his head with words of music.
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among those with whom our Lord is pleased!’