Genesis 5:21-23 - Enoch

Read Genesis 5:21-23 

So far, this chapter has been a walk among the tombstones. The only hope in the midst of this barrage of death is that a son continues to be born before the father dies, so the line of Seth lives on. But now, we get to an even greater glimpse of hope. So far, each person mentioned has ended their story with the words “and he died.” Not so with Enoch! Enoch is one of only two people in the Old Testament who did not die. Do you know who the other person was?

“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” and he saw him no more.” (2 Kings 2:11-12)

Elijah was taken to be with the Lord in Heaven in quite a dramatic fashion, but we don’t necessarily know if that was the case with Enoch. In verse 22, we are told that Enoch spent his life “walking with God.” The verb stem used here essentially means “living” and the preposition (with) denotes “intimacy,” or “fellowship.” Basically, Enoch lived a life of intimacy with God. He knew God; he spent time with God; he wanted to be with God more than anything else. And God eventually granted his wish.

Hebrews 11:5 tells us that it was “by faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death.” Enoch had such great faith that God saved him even from death and welcomed him right into heaven.

What an example for us to follow!

Oh, Lord, give us today a desire for you above all things. Let us desire to have an intimate relationship with you more than anything else. Give us a passion for your Word, for your Law, for your Gospel, for your Character, for your Will. Forgive us for spending more time watching television than reading your Word. Forgive us for spending more time taking care of menial tasks than praying to You. Ignite in us a passion for you. Fan into flame our desire for you so that one day we too may walk with you and no longer be a part of this world. Amen.

Jesus will return one day—perhaps today. When He returns, He will rapture His church to Him in the sky. Maybe Enoch walking with God is a picture of that future event. It was by faith that Enoch was taken to heaven, and it will only be those who have a saving faith who will be raptured with the Lord when He returns.

It may be difficult to exercise that faith in this fallen world that we live in, but imagine how difficult it must have been for Enoch in those days before the flood. As we will learn about next week, mankind had gotten so evil that God decided they needed to be completely wiped out! If Enoch could be so faithful during that time, then surely we too can be faithful to God “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). What a joy it will be to one day hear my Lord and Savior say to me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). That day might be today. So let us be found faithful when He returns. Let us, like Enoch, walk with God each moment of this day.