Noah: Man of God

by Tim Chaffey

  Just before the pithoct landed on Ham, Shem swung the solid branch he had been using as a staff and cracked the beast on the side of the head, causing it to land short of Ham. It snarled at Shem, but Shem wasted no time in striking at it again. This time it dodged his blow.

  Ar’yel shouted and whipped a rock at the animal, smacking it in the side. Keeping an eye on the beast, she searched the ground for another object to throw.

  Noah raced to stand over Ham, holding out his own makeshift staff toward the pithoct.

  Glaring at Shem with its cold golden eyes, the creature slowly stepped toward him.

  Noah found his opportunity. A quick thrust of his staff found its mark in the monster’s midsection.

  Angered, the pithoct shifted its focus to him. Shem instantly landed a crushing blow on top of the beast’s head. It whimpered and crumpled to the ground for a moment before snarling and running off.

  Noah knelt at Ham’s side. Blood streamed from a long gash under his right eye. “Where else are you hurt?”

  Ham moaned as his left hand reached over to grab the back of his right arm. “My arm burns.” He pulled his hand back and looked at it. For a moment, he looked as though he might faint when he saw the blood.

  Ar’yel dropped to her knees on Ham’s right side. “We need to stop this bleeding right away.” She pulled her newly acquired garment from her shoulders and tossed it to Shem. “Tear two long strips from that and then find me a strong stick — no longer than your arm.”

  Shem quickly tore the cloth and handed the strips to Ar’yel before scanning the ground for a stick.

  Ham winced as she lifted his injured arm and briefly examined it. “What are you doing?”

  “Can you turn to your side?”

  With Noah’s assistance, Ham rolled on his left side.

  Ar’yel slid one end of the cloth under his arm and then pulled it until the two ends lined up. As she tied an overhand knot and pulled it tight, she said, “You have a very deep cut. If we don’t stop the bleeding now, you may lose your arm or worse.”

  “Why are you tying a knot above the wound?” Ham asked.

  “Trust me,” she said.

  “Got one.” Shem hurried to Ar’yel and handed her the stick.

  “That should work.” She placed it on top of the knot. “Shem, hold this steady.”

  He reached across her and held the wooden piece in place.

  Calm and confident, Ar’yel formed another overhand knot above the stick and tightened it. She brushed Ham’s hair from his eyes and stroked his forehead once. “This might hurt for a few moments. Tell me if it gets too tight.”

  He nodded.

  Using both hands, she slowly twisted the wood. “Shem, tear that other strip in half. Give one half to your father to hold against the cut on Ham’s face.”

  Shem followed her instructions as she continued turning the stick.

  “Ow!” Ham grunted. “Too tight.”

  She stopped as she studied his injury. “I’m sorry. Just a little tighter.”

  He clenched his teeth and nodded as Noah folded the cloth from Shem and gently pushed it against Ham’s cheek.

  Ar’yel gave the stick another quarter turn and then pointed to the cut. “Wrap the other one around it. Not too tight.”

  Once Shem finished tying the cloth, she directed him to keep the wood from unwinding. Standing up, she wiped her hands on her outfit. “The knot is keeping the blood from rushing to his arm. We can gradually loosen it as long as it doesn’t start bleeding too much.”

  “Ham, can you stand?” Noah asked.

  “I think so.” He sat up slowly and then reached for the side of his chest and grimaced. “That thing hit me hard. It really hurts.” Planting his left hand on the ground, he carefully climbed to his feet.

  “This will only stop the bleeding.” Ar’yel pointed to the bandage. “The wounds still need to be treated by a skilled healer or they’ll become infected.”

  “I understand,” Ham said.

  Noah placed a hand on Ham’s shoulder. “Kezia will know what to do. We’ll go as fast as you can manage. Do you need any help?”

  He shook his head. “Not right now. Let’s move.”

  Chapter 32

  “Your father will be quite surprised when he gets back. This looks great.” Emzara sat on the recessed bench that would serve as her bed in one of the walled-off sections of their living quarters. Across a narrow hallway from her rested a tall storage cabinet for food and dishes. “Are you two sure you don’t need my help right now?”

  “No, we’re almost done with this one,” Japheth said.

  Rayneh held up one end of a shelf as Japheth secured it to the upright beam. “I hope I’ll have time to paint some of these things to make it feel like a home. Once we get the rest of these ledges secure, I think we’ll be done with the major elements. We’ll let your brothers finalize their own places.” She pointed behind her to the open spaces adjoining Emzara’s room.

  “What about that extra empty space inside Shem’s chamber?” Emzara asked.

  Japheth moved down a rung on the short stepladder and skillfully used the plumb line to measure the level of another shelf. “Can you hold this steady, Mother?”

  Emzara grabbed the bottom of the line and held it against the wall. “Right here?”

  “Perfect.” He glanced at Shem’s room. “I thought we’d make a little drop-down desk for him to use, but I want to wait for Ham to get back. He’ll figure out the best way to build it.”

  Rayneh grinned at her husband. “Are you sure you want to encourage Shem to read even more? How’s he ever supposed to get a wife with his head buried in a scroll?”

  Japheth shrugged. “That’s his problem not mine. Besides, Kezia’s here, maybe he’ll wake up and start to pursue her.”

  Rayneh chuckled. “Well, I think she’d prefer to have your other brother pursue her.”

  Emzara smiled to herself but kept silent. Most High, help me to trust You in this matter. You told Noah that our sons’ wives would be on the ark. I believe You.

  Japheth marked the spot on the wall and tapped a fastener into it with a mallet. “There. I’ve got it.”

  Emzara stepped back and surveyed the whole area. “You’ve both worked tirelessly, being in the fields for most of the day and then here until late into the night. I’m proud of you.”

  Japheth lowered the mallet with a sigh. “Truth is, all the work has helped me not to think about the adventures my brothers have been having. I picture them seeing the world, and I want to be right there in the thick of the excitement with them.”

  Rayneh’s eyes widened. “So you’d rather be out there somewhere than with me?”

  “No, I’d prefer to be out there with you. But someone needed to stay behind to take care of the crops. It’s just been hard because Shem doesn’t long for adventure like I do.”

  Emzara put a hand on his shoulder. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I think your two favorite women are very happy you’re here. Isn’t that right, Rayneh?”

  “Mmhmm.”

  They continued on in silence for a while. The world was no longer what it had been, but Emzara understood why the unknown held such excitement for Japheth. He’s so much like his father in that way.

  “Have you thought about afterward?” Rayneh spoke gently as she unrolled a tapestry she had woven.

  “What do you mean?” Emzara asked.

  “Well, we’re building this enormous boat to survive a worldwide flood, which will be an adventure.” She looked at Japheth. “And then what about after that? What’s the world going to be like when we stand on dry ground again? How much will we get to explore then?”

  He paused. “I haven’t given that much consideration yet. I’ve been so caught up in our work that I haven’t really pondered what’s ahead.” He gave one last pound on the peg that he’d already secured. “Well, I think that does it for these.”

  “Come, Emzara!” Kezia’s urgent cry came from outside the
door of the ark.

  Emzara hurried across the second deck to the large opening and looked out. She spotted Kezia pointing toward the sawmill. In the distance several figures crossed the clearing in the evening shadows. Noah? Why are there only four?

  As Emzara descended the ramp, she called back to Japheth and Rayneh. “They’re home!”

  The familiar forms of Noah and her sons grew clearer as she rushed closer. Ham’s long curly hair bounced as he leaned on his brother, one arm around Shem’s shoulders. Something must’ve happened. And who is that woman? In spite of her labored breathing, she forced herself not to slow her pace.

  Noah’s group arrived at the tents at the same time as Emzara. Noah wrapped his arms around her and pressed his cheek against her hair. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  She stroked his head, holding him to her for a long moment. “What happened?” she asked, finally releasing him and turning to put her hands carefully on her youngest son’s shoulders. She scanned the bandages, scrapes, and the amount of dried blood on the cloths, as well as Ham’s ashen skin. “Kezia!”

  “A pithoct attacked us earlier today,” Noah said. “His arm and face have some deep cuts. We’ll need to clean them out.”

  Kezia opened the flap of her tent. “Here, put him in mine so I don’t have to move all the supplies I’ll need.”

  “I’m glad you’re back.” Emzara brushed Noah’s arm before moving to the door of the tent so she could hold open the other side of the entryway. Shem carefully moved Ham to Kezia’s bed as she feverishly arranged cushions and blankets to create a comfortable spot for him.

  The stranger moved to Ham’s side and unwrapped the stiff cloths about his arm. “You must be Kezia, the healer. The wound will need to be thoroughly cleansed and sewn up. This was the best I could do with what little we had.”

  Kezia knelt by Ham and covered her mouth as she studied the damage to his right side. She blinked hard and took a deep breath before looking up. “This wound is deep and could have taken his life. Thank you for stopping the bleeding.” She clasped his left hand with a firm grip. “Cleaning this out is going to be extremely painful. I have to see the extent of the damage and whether it reached to your bone.”

  Ham pulled her hand up and rested it on his chest. “Do whatever you need to.”

  She stood and lit a lamp, then pointed toward the entrance. “I think it’d be best if the rest of you waited outside. This will be hard to watch.”

  “I’m going to remain with my brother,” Shem said.

  “No.” Noah leaned close to Shem and spoke softly. “You should be the one to talk to Rayneh. I think it’ll be easier on her if it comes from you.”

  Shem nodded grimly just as Japheth and Rayneh entered the tent.

  “What happened?” Japheth asked.

  “Where’s my father?” Rayneh bit her lower lip.

  Shem stepped beside them and said, “Come, I’ll tell you outside.” He nodded toward the exit. “Please.”

  Japheth followed Shem but briefly hesitated as he turned to look at his injured brother.

  A knot formed in Emzara’s stomach. Through pain-filled eyes, she looked at Noah and mouthed, “Elam?”

  Noah pulled her close. “Outside. Come on, let Kezia do her work.”

  “Take care of my baby,” Emzara said.

  Kezia looked at Ham. “I’ll do my best.” Turning away, she moved about with quick, efficient motions, collecting the items she would need. From a small clay pot, she drew out a piece of wispy tree bark. “Here, you’ll want to chew on this to help with the pain.” Her voice turned playful as she said, “You know, this isn’t exactly how I envisioned your return.”

  “Come on, Em.” Noah pulled her hand as she continued to watch Ham and Kezia.

  “Before you start.” Ham took Kezia’s hand again. “I promised myself I was going to talk to you when we got home, so I need to ask you something.”

  Noah pulled Emzara through the exit and closed the flaps behind them. “Let them talk.”

  Emzara pulled his head toward her and kissed him. “It’s so good to have you home.” She glanced around the small gathering place in the midst of the tents. Methuselah talked to the newcomer near a small pile of sticks set up in the fire pit. Shem sat with his back to them, facing Japheth and Rayneh. She wept loudly with her head buried in Japheth’s shoulder as he tried to console her.

  “What happened?” Emzara asked.

  “Elam was killed yesterday,” Noah said softly. “He gave his life to save us.”

  Emzara’s lip quavered as her eyes moistened. She glanced at Rayneh and then pressed her face against Noah’s chest, holding him tightly.

  After a few moments, Noah kissed the top of her head and pulled back. “I’ll explain more later, but first I need to introduce you to Ar’yel.” He led her toward Methuselah and the young woman.

  Emzara smiled before sniffling and pushing some hair behind her shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you, Ar’yel.”

  “You must be Emzara. I’ve heard so much about you that I feel as if this is more of a reunion than an introduction.”

  Taken by the woman’s candor and accent, Emzara embraced her. “Welcome.”

  Noah gestured with a nod of his head toward Kezia’s tent. “Ar’yel not only saved Ham, but she saved the rest of us earlier this week.” Noah recounted their harrowing escape from the tree village and Elam’s heroic actions to protect them.

  A jumble of emotions filled Emzara as he spoke: elation at her husband’s return, concern for her son, sorrow over Elam’s death, and admiration for Ar’yel’s bravery. She watched the beautiful young woman during Noah’s retelling and saw how Ar’yel graciously deflected the praise heaped on her.

  While Noah spoke of the pithoct attack, Shem walked over and sat a short distance from Ar’yel.

  Rayneh appeared to be listening, though she still rested her head on Japheth’s shoulder.

  “All of that was in the past few days,” Methuselah said. “What about the rest of the trip? Did Lamech decide to stay home?”

  Noah hesitated and then pulled Emzara close. “Father made it home, but it wasn’t as we hoped. Just before we arrived, our boat was attacked and he was struck by a poisoned arrow in his shoulder.” Noah’s lower lip trembled. “Within two weeks he was gone.”

  Tears raced down Emzara’s cheeks as she watched her husband struggle to describe his father’s death. Slowly, she turned to Methuselah, who had slumped down and closed his eyes.

  Noah took a deep breath and sat up straight. “The tragedy gave him an opportunity to speak to most of my brothers and sisters. In his final words, he urged all of us to follow the Creator. And when he passed. . . .” Noah shook his head. “It was peaceful. He said that he could finally rest.”

  After a long silence, Japheth cleared his throat. “Are Garun and Laleel safe?”

  Using a small stick, Shem drew in the dirt. “We don’t know. They left after Grandfather’s burial. They wanted to find their own children and grandchildren and plead with them to follow the Most High before the flood comes.”

  Methuselah shakily rose to his feet and lifted his arms above his head. “Let us pray the Creator will grant them safe travel and opportunities to speak to their loved ones.”

  Shem spoke quietly to Ar’yel. She nodded and then copied him as he closed his eyes and held up his palms.

  Rayneh slipped to her knees and bent forward, putting her ear next to the ground.

  Emzara closed her eyes, smiling through her tears at the way her daughter-in-law chose to pay tribute to Elam.

  “O Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” Methuselah sniffled. “We’ve been reminded again of the price of rebelling against You. You warned Greatfather that he would die if he ate from the forbidden tree. Like him, we have all sinned against You, and one day, we’ll all return to the ground. But we believe death is not the end for us. We have hope that we’ll see Elam again, and that we’ll see—” Methuselah hesitated and sniffed. “That
I’ll see my. . . .”

  After a brief pause, Emzara sensed Noah leave her side and heard his footsteps move toward Methuselah.

  “And that my grandfather will see his son again, and I’ll see my father, who is now at rest. But until that time comes, You’ve called us to build this ark, and You’ve promised to protect us from the coming judgment. Please help Ham to heal from his injuries, and watch over us as we strive to follow Your ways.”

  Methuselah continued the prayer when Noah stopped. He asked the Most High to watch over Garun and Laleel as well as Purlek and Evet. When he talked about the flood and the Creator’s promises to Noah, Emzara’s heart quickened with hope. He prayed with authority and conviction and she imagined he spoke just as his father, Enoch, had spoken while prophesying so long ago.

  A long silence fell over the group. It was eventually broken by Kezia’s soft voice from behind. “Ma-Zara, Ham’s asking for you.”

  Quietly, she stood, padded to the tent, and stepped inside. As she allowed the flap to fall behind her, she asked Kezia, “How is he?”

  Kezia grinned. “He whined a lot, but I think he’s going to be alright. We’ll need to closely monitor those wounds for a while to make sure they don’t get infected.”

  Emzara walked to Ham and knelt down beside him. His face bore multiple stitches, and she imagined his arm boasted many more. She bent down and kissed his forehead. “I’m so glad you’re home. How are you feeling?”

  He gave her a weak smile and raised an eyebrow. “You need to take that needle from Kezia. She wields it as if it were a weapon. My arm is more thread than skin now.”

  Kezia lowered herself on the opposite side of Ham. “I told you he was whiny.” She smiled at Ham. “I’m just glad that the beast didn’t get closer to his eye.” She rested a light hand against his cheek, and Emzara did a double take when her youngest reached up and held it.

  Ham looked at Emzara. “You told me that Father whines a lot to you when he isn’t feeling well.”