I Noah

By Richard Francis

Noah has always been the subject matter for a good story or a good movie. Never great. Here is an opportunity for the avid reader to explore the very depths of Noah's character, to understand his fears, his compassion, his sacrifice. An opportunity to understand the man whom they called Noah.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Francis
• Release date: Jul 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311263469

Richard Francis

Hi my pen name is Richard Francis. My surname is Broodryk and I am currently residing in Namibia , Africa. I have three lovely children, Annemieke (24), Shani Lee (13) and Reuben, my son, (18).

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I Noah

By Richard Francis

Published by Richard Broodryk at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Richard Francis Broodryk

Discover other titles by Richard Francis

'I Am', 'Judas and the Shepherd', 'Internet dating what the heck!!'

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1: I, Noah

Chapter 2: A man is formed.

Chapter 3: Methuselah and Eden.

Chapter 4: Lamech and Ice-eyes.

Chapter 5: Harvest, newcomers and first sacrifice.

Chapter 6: Newcomers again...

Chapter 7: Lamech and Ice eyes again...

Chapter 8: Leah and murder.

Chapter 9: Life and sin.

Chapter 10: Methuselah revisited.

Chapter11: Friendship and sons.

Chapter 12: The journey.

Chapter 13: Enclave changes and Ham.

Chapter 14: The Call.

Chapter 15: The Ark.

Chapter 16: Opposition and exhortation.

Chapter 17: First confrontation.

Chapter 18: Burial and joy.

Chapter 19: Food and the passing of Lamech.

Chapter 20: Preparations and animals.

Chapter 21: Birds, humanity and the closing of the door.

Chapter 22: The Flood.

Chapter 23: Days and the Raven.

Chapter 24: Exit.

Chapter 25: Second sacrifice and God.

Chapter 26: New Beginning.

Chapter 27: The lion and the vineyard and the curse.

Chapter 28: Family.

Chapter 29: End times and Babel.

Chapter 30: Abram.

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I, NOAH

PROLOGUE

Throughout the ages man has been fascinated by the awe-inspiring legend of Noah. The writer has put together a novel of which some is fiction and some is truth, to give the reader food to stimulate his or her mind. Here are not just dry facts, but here is an account of a man who was a hero in his own time. Hated and scorned by some, but loved by God, he did that which he knew he had to do.

SACRIFICE

The altar of rough-hewn stone was prepared... so it would be now and so it would be then...

The Ancient of Days took His place and the Cherubim paused in their services. They did not realize the importance of the moment. Angel's wings trembled as the All Powerful asked, Is the preparation of the Lamb complete? A vigorous shaking of angelic heads provided the affirmative. Then let it be now as it will be then... A procession suddenly appeared; led by the One! With awe and wonder all watched until...The Ancient of Days turned His majestic countenance away from the procession and the Host that had gathered at His command. Then it was done... and the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world... The fire of God reached out and the sacrifice was accepted.

The war was fierce, but brief... Their commander fell like lightning. The Command was given: Cast out the Nephilim! And so it was done and time began, bringing with it the hate of the vanquished, the lust of the diseased but also new plan birthed for reconciliation!

Chapter 1: I, Noah

Now the earth was newly formed, the great waters of the deep had not yet been, commanded to burst forth and to release its destructive power and the sky was still encompassed by a brilliant white layer of ice. The days were warm and humid; the nights cool and comfortable. Here was no pestilence, no lack and death was hardly given a thought.

Tranquility abounded and sweet smelling air prevailed. Vegetation grew lush, its flowery dress always a masterpiece. Whatever trees planted brought forth fruit in splendid abundance, its branches sagging heavily in testimony. Bands of humanity roamed the then known world, some settling down in enclaves, others moving on and trading with whatever they had available. One section of land had been settled earlier in Adam’s time; that land was known as the land of Nod.

There was peace in the world, although strenuous the labor. Man lived from the works of his hands. Still, there was peace in the world; that is, until the Nephilim came...

Sudden joyous laughter rang out. It reached out to everyone present in the enclave. Soon all were touched. The laughter caught men and women at work and they responded to it. Even children in their ever day play could not escape its infectious touch. The wave of laughter spread rapidly and quickly surrounded Lamech. He knowingly smiled as he saw a jubilant midwife running towards him. It's a boy-child, she happily shouted to all who were within hearing.

Although this particular message was only intended for Lamech's ears, he didn't mind. He joyously welcomed this much longed for report and a grin, as wide as the new day-sky, split his heavily tanned face in two. May God Almighty be praised, he hoarsely whispered as he stood up from his work. Glory to Adonai.

He then quickly followed the still laughing midwife. She had turned to rush back from whence she had first emerged with the good news, Lamech's humble abode of dark brown mud-brick and cypress wood.

The midwives watched as Lamech gently reached down. With gnarled hands he slowly and carefully lifted the boy-child from out of his tired wife's arms. In this first birth Elizabeth had gone through much pain. It was expected. Teachings from Eden lingered. In their brave new world the first birth was never going to be easy. At least there would be comfort now for his beloved wife. She had suffered much, not knowing what to expect. Carrying the boy, he slowly moved past the joyful smiles of the attending midwives and stepped outside, through the sturdy open cypress doorway and into the growing cheers of the gathering people. They had all left their labors to come and enjoy the happy occasion. He watched and allowed the cheering and waving to continue for a while. A hush settled over the crowd as they saw Lamech purposefully; yet carefully lift the boy-child high above his head. The child made no sound; as if somehow knowing what day this was. Lamech’s strong voice carried to all present as he proudly tilted his head backwards and loudly proclaimed: Your name will be Noach, for you will bring rest and comfort to your people. It was a declaration of faith and, on this joy filled day, Lamech had faith to spare. Light from the day-sky fell directly onto the boy's ruddy face as the happy crowd slowly started to chant the name. The chant gathered momentum as Lamech, still proudly holding the boy high, moved amongst the celebrating people.

Noah, Noah, Noah... replaced the earlier laughter as they reached out to touch the child. There would be much feasting and dancing tonight, but there would be no sacrificial fire; Lamech was still not prepared to take that chance ... Enosh, son of Seth, who was briefly visiting the enclave, smiled wryly as he watched all the jubilation. His father would have loved to meet the man who would escape the first tribulation, and Lamech his grandson, did not even know what had been prepared for his newly acquired bundle of joy...Old Enosh knew, but Enosh wasn't telling...

Chapter 2: A man is formed.

Noah was a big man, a muscular man. The daily arduous work in the fields had created a strong man. His muscles bulged inside his leather jacket. He was not overly tall, standing slightly shorter than his father, Lamech. Saying this, Lamech was actually quite tall. His long, jet-black hair, which he needed to constantly tie back with a piece of soft deerskin, played in the cool breeze across his broad tanned shoulders. His eyes were piercing blue, his grin, wider than his father's. Noah loved and enjoyed life. He loved the hard work in the fields; but above all, he loved his unseen God. Lamech had taught Noah much about this invisible God, but He was not invisible to Noah. Noah acknowledged this with awe and respect. He had a healthy amount of fear and a high regard for his Lord. He had yet to experience what this God was capable of doing. As with all those born into the world, the teachings from Eden prevailed.

Noah saw evidence of Adonai in the verdant plains. He saw the splendor of Him in the majestic towering granite and basalt mountains and he heard Him whisper as the gentle cool mountain breezes passed through the lofty pine- and cypress trees bordering their home and farm lands. Lamech had reason to be proud of his son.

Lamech's household, thankfully, lacked nothing, but they worked the land hard for what they did have. As Noah meditated on this, tiny rivulets of perspiration found new paths down the upper half of his dirt-caked torso. It then dripped silently into the newly made v-shaped furrow in the vegetable garden and left dark wet stains on the rich soil. His callous covered hand; callous covered after much work in these lands, tried to remove the continual perspiration, but it was