A shiny dart tip worn smooth with constant rubbing becomes a source of peaceful comfort throughout the long days of her life.
Grief still lingers long after Haran’s death. It all happened so quickly. The attack, her husband’s strength in defending his family and home, and then silence as the marauders fled, fearful that maybe they had taken the fight too far.
It was one of his darts they removed from Haran’s side. Nokh could easily identify the distinctive craftsmanship of the work.
She says as she hands the tip to him.
’Would you take this and show it to God?’
Enoch nods and wonders how she knows so much about his relationship with God,
‘Perhaps if I do as she asks, God will teach us why our good people die and the wicked prosper.’
For much of the next week, he stays at his private place before the gates. Others do not ask about his business there. They respect him and his strengthening relationship with the Lord of the garden gates. Nokh drills a hole in the tip of the dart, threads a thin piece of animal skin through it, and ties it around his neck.
Widow Haran had been greatly comforted that he might talk to God about it. When they prayed together as they often did, strength slowly restored life and vitality for both of them. They have been family and friends for most of their lives.
Enoch prays with others often. His life has become a source of encouragement and edification for all who are willing to listen to him. He listens well, sits with friends, sometimes in silence, seldom criticizing, offering a helping hand to those in need.
His example sets the tone for the small group which continues to gather at Adam’s old place close to the gates of God’s Garden.
Frequent visits to the town of peace on the south river encourage Enoch. Mutual help and strategic meetings with the faithful stir up love and good works.
It is mutual. Nokh needs them as much as they look to him. They learn contentment in every circumstance of life. The sun does not go down on anger. They know the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. Peace of God fills these communities even though sin abounds in the wicked world around them.
The heavy dangling dart weighs heavily on Nokh’s dark tan skin which stretches over a perfectly sculpted upper body even though it is now three hundred and fifty years of age. This is the beauty God created.
Heart palpitations are so strong it feels like the dart is vibrating in its hiding place close to the heart. Nokh does not worry if the Lord will choose to come as a physical person but he does have deep concern about talking with God about the dart. He plans to ask,
‘Am I responsible for all of these horrible deaths because I made the instruments of death?’
A Cherub moves, they never seem to walk, they just come. He approaches and speaks a message from God.
‘God sees that the wickedness of man is great in all the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of man’s heart is only evil continually.’
The messenger then tells Enoch that he should gather his close friends and help them resettle through the marsh waterways to the river that flows toward the setting of the sun.
‘If you do as God asks these people will dwell there in safety until he calls all of you to his heavenly home beyond this world.’
Even though Enoch often sins in thought and deed, he sincerely confesses his failure. The more a person knows God, a greater sense of wickedness overshadows that person’s entire being.
Nokh seldom disregards explicit revelations from God. In truth, his worship of God is always a response to the word of the Lord. This communication motivates him to bring a sacrifice and humbles his whole being in submission. This obedience of faith is worship.
He does not fully grasp why, but he has never made a sacrifice with blood at an altar near the gates of Eden. Here he comes boldly into the presence of God: Forgiven. His place is a growing spot where his relationship with God is being strengthened.
Enoch forgets about himself when he worships the Lord. God is his focus, his master, his life. He submits in all things to the will of his maker—the best friend he has ever had.
With so many changes in the world, friends tell him he should not go back to the largest city on the Euphrates. It has been two years since he made the trip. It is dangerous.
But he will not listen, memories flood his weary mind as he heads east once again to keep his promise. On the outskirts, he crosses over the still mighty river and checks his cousins’ burial place. He prays.
‘I do not even know where my beloved wife, Orna is buried. That was so many years ago. I love her with my whole heart. Thank you for the time you gave us together. Thank you for our children and our children’s children.’
Visits to people of faith in the city are more difficult. Encouragement is scarce, danger prevails on every side.
Returning to his most recent ministry of obedience and faithfulness he rejoices to see that faithful friends have moved through the marshes to the incredible new location toward the setting sun. This is quickly becoming a place of refuge. It promises rest for the weary who follow God.
A cleverly handcrafted basket is passed among the people. Colorful reeds and sturdy branches have been woven together with a short handle and it holds interesting treasures. They are shiny yellow pieces of stone that weigh a great deal more than their size would indicate. It is good that the basket is strong.
Everyone agrees that these stones are of no great value but they demonstrate the divine wisdom and power of the one who would create such things. Each person shares with no thought of hoarding. Perhaps the collections could be used for God’s glory sometime in the future.
When he least expects it the Lord takes the man into his presence. He immediately knows that the widow’s questions need answers.
They walk past a withered, grotesque remnant of a once mighty tree that the Lord explains is the reason for the death of good people. Enoch reaches resolutely to his neck, fingers trembling, and removes the shiny tip from over his heart. He places it at the base of the foreboding mass of twisted destruction.
Burdens fall away at the same moment. This instrument of death belongs to the tree of death. Never again does he carry the guilt for making darts. Sin kills! Instruments do not!
The Lord leaves his friend with an assurance that death is not the end.
‘Precious in my sight is the death of my people. My steadfast love provides deliverance from sin and death forever.’
As a result of belief in God’s words, Enoch shares his life unconditionally with all who cross his path. Loving God and loving people means that he boldly witnesses God’s steadfast love. Nokh’s love for God makes him bold to tell others of God’s provision for eternal deliverance. He treasures God’s truth so much that he tolerates no compromise in the message.
‘Death is an enemy. I hate sin. It not only separates us from God but it destroys families and ruins friendships. The good news reconciles. God is waiting for us to come to him.’
With much difficulty, the oldest ones have made it through the marshes into the protection and quietness of the gathering place on the wild river of the west. It runs much faster than any Nokh has ever seen. He works tirelessly to prepare a solid pathway around the swamps so all who desire to come, may come. Then they carefully camouflage the entrance so only those who are invited may find it.
Joining this new community has helped people to walk with God as Nokh walks. Sin increases in every place except for this one.
‘Have you noticed widow Haran that people who faithfully follow God are dying at much younger ages than our ancestors died?’
Enoch describes what he knows of God’s plan. The whole world participates in a progression toward death. Our first man sinned and death passed to everything including every man, woman, and child. Widow Haran now realizes that her grief is only a very small part of God’s grief over sin.
‘Do you really believe there is eternal separation from God?’
‘Yes, there is eternal separation in a place far worse than death.’
There is a place of eternal separation immersed in fear, hatred, bitterness, and all that is evil. Enoch continues to explain that God has chosen those who will live with him forever. As difficult as this is for him to believe he tells her that all people are also responsible for the choices they make. No one can ever accuse God of not choosing them.
God has revealed that sinners do not tolerate the presence of God’s holiness. Those who come to the light must come by their obedience—the obedience of faith.
The widow’s question about the dart tip does not seem important after this talk with Enoch. He does tell her what God said and how he left the tip at the base of the dead tree. She rests well with renewed submission to God’s will.
Even though it has been more than a complete cycle of the sun since Enoch has seen the Lord, he is not disturbed. The Lord continues to walk with him and they talk with one another at all times. Nokh goes with the Lord wherever his journeys take him. God’s love amazes him more than he has ever experienced. He knows with all his senses the one he worships who has become his trusted friend.
Then suddenly he feels God’s embrace. It is flesh touching flesh. A perfect hand grasps his and goes toward the garden, one step at a time. They walk side by side.
The pathway leads deeper into the garden than he has ever gone. A meadow of unfathomable beauty suddenly opens before them. Its absence of separate colors does not startle Nokh, for he sees the purity of whiteness with its dazzling spectrum. He is overwhelmed.
In the center, a circle of something with a total absence of light, tinged with red, utterly devoid of all beauty, looks like an entrance to a different world: A bottomless pit with fiery torment. It is deep and menacing as if attempting to extinguish all light.
‘What is this?’
Nokh asks in a hoarse guttural voice.
‘This is where death first invaded my very good world.’
‘Is this where Cain killed his brother Abel? Is his blood crying out for vengeance?’
‘No! There was death before Abel’s murder.’
Then Enoch realizes his error. Abel’s blood was not the first. The first was shed by God himself to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve’s sinful depravity.
He sees that the Lord still grieves over the first blood that was shed. Sin’s tenacious grip requires an awful price.
‘I will pay the final and ultimate payment for sin. It requires life for life. Death for death, blood for blood—it is the only way.’
A lingering embrace calms Enoch at the entrance as even the Cherubs slip into shadows and their swords dim during this tender moment, God and man reconciled.
Enoch rejoices, not with exhilaration, but with reverence. God alone is awesome.
‘He touched me, and oh the joy that lifts my soul, thank you, Lord. I love you!’
Nokh does not hold his head high because he met with God. He bows toward the earth with a broken heart and contrite spirit, walking slowly.
‘Wherever he leads, I’ll go.’