Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:24)
I love the hidden gems in God’s Word. Those verses we read numerous times and can quote absentmindedly—then they jump off the page with renewed freshness and discovery.
Such is the case with the story of Enoch. Not much is revealed about him. But what we have speaks volumes. His brief information in Genesis 5:18-24 and other verses reveals several things we would do well to put into practice in our lives today.
Seventh from Adam (Jude 1:14)
The number seven in the Bible usually implies completion, perfection, or rest. Enoch wasn’t perfect, but from his brief witness, it stands to reason he was complete or whole. Genuine believers are “complete” in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:10). We have been made full, and are fulfilled or complete in the finished work of Christ. After completing His creation God rested on the seventh day. Scripture assures us “there remains … a rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). Oh, may we find our completion, fulfillment, perfection, and rest in Him.
Lived 365 Years (Genesis 5:23)
There are no coincidences or random occurrences with God or His Word. Of the entire genealogy, Enoch stands out as one who pleased God. It is no coincidence he lived three hundred and sixty-five years. There’s a direct correlation here for genuine believers to walk with God every day of the year. Pleasing God is not a periodic event. It isn’t a spiritual high from an inspiring speaker, a motivational conference, or thrilling concert. Walking with, pleasing, and growing in “grace and knowledge” (2 Peter 3:18) happens in the daily grind of spending time in His presence, with His Word, praying, and listening for His whisper. It involves the willful surrender to His perfect will (Luke 22:42).
Separated from the World (Genesis 6:5-6)
In Enoch’s day, immorality was exponentially increasing, leading to the worldwide Flood. Yet he shunned all worldly attractions and distractions to separate himself to God. His fellowship with God was more precious to Him than anything the world offered. Like Noah, Daniel, Elijah, and others of such distinction, Enoch separated himself to God. He dared to be different, to stand out, to stand alone. God easily identified Noah apart from the rest of the world (Genesis 6:8). Daniel purposed in his heart to not “defile himself” with the world’s impurities (Daniel 1:8). May all genuine Christ followers adopt such distinct separation whereby the world is dead to us and we are dead to the world (Galatians 6:14).
Spiritual Courage (Genesis 5:22)
His spiritual walk deepened over time. He “walked with God: after the birth of his son, Methuselah.” Methuselah means “man of the dart”—meaning, a straight arrow or straight in flight with no deviation. One commentary interprets his name as, “When he dies, it shall come.”[i] This references the approaching worldwide Flood during the time of Enoch’s grandson, Noah. Enoch listened to God’s leading—even in such a small thing as the name of his son—and dared to live purposefully and resolutely for God. God was more important to Him than everything else. In His daily walk, he echoed the words of the Psalmist: “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness” (Psalm 119:36). Oh, may we shun this temporary world’s attractions and distractions, keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and exhibit lifestyles that reflect an intimate, unshakeable walk with God.
Unshakeable Faith (Hebrews 11:5)
Enoch received an honorable mention in the Scriptural Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him;’ for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Wow, such unshakeable faith! Notice, there is no mention of anything Enoch did other than to please God. The word pleased means to satisfy or make content. He lived in such a way as to make God smile. In his everyday fellowship with God, Enoch “acted out” his faith. Their communion was so sweet, so precious, and so pleasing to God that God simply took Enoch to heaven one day. Imagine their last earthly conversation. “Enoch, we’ve walked a long way today. We’re closer to My place than we are to yours. Just come home with Me.”[ii]
Spiritual Insight (Psalm 119:130)
Enoch prophesied, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way” (Jude 1:14-15). His daily walk with God was so intimate, so intense that He received special insight from God about the End Time events. Also, notice Enoch’s 4-time call-out of the prevalent ungodliness. God promises to give His wisdom to all who ask (James 1:5). Though He may not give us complete insight into future events, He does give us all the enlightenment we need through His Word (Psalm 119:105). And He gives His Holy Spirit to guide His genuine followers into all truth (John 16:13). May we, like Enoch, spend quality time daily in God’s presence, with His Word, listening to His Holy Spirit.
Summary
Let’s walk like Enoch. After all, God will take us to be with Him! May we develop the Enoch-ese traits to position us for an eternity in God’s presence. “Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
[i] John Phillips, Exploring Genesis, (Kregel Publications, 1980), 78.
[ii] Excerpted from Nate’s book, Called to Christlikeness, Not Christianity.
Nate’s book, Called to Christlikeness, not Christianity – Purchase here.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.
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