Day Two: Enoch – Walking with God
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11: 5; Genesis 5:18-24
Introduction: Enoch lived before the great flood God sent to destroy the earth and everyone on it, except for Noah and his family. Most of what we know about him is found in this brief paragraph in Genesis. What especially sets him apart is the unusual statement that “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). While not many words, this line tells us quite a lot about this man. First, we’re told that Enoch “walked with God.” According to the writer to the Hebrews, this means that his life “pleased” God. Enoch was known for his godly life. He was so well respected as a man of God that later people of faith incorporated his teachings in their own writings and called it the Book of Enoch. Jude, a half-brother of Jesus, even quotes Enoch’s pronouncement of judgment on the ungodly in his short contribution in the New Testament (Jude 14-15). We’re also told God enjoyed fellowship with Enoch so much that the Bible says, “God took him.” In other words, Enoch didn’t experience physical death like the rest of humanity. He was simply translated into heaven. He shares this blessed distinction with the great prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2:1, 11), who was also “taken” by the Lord. Enoch was spared the pain of natural death and brought directly into the presence of God.
Application: God seeks close, intimate, fellowship with people. This is a very affirming thought. It should encourage all of us to know that the Creator of the universe, the Redeemer, Himself, can be pleased with us and enjoy relationship with us. Enoch’s walk with God tells us that no matter how close we are to God, a closer relationship is possible. While we may develop a very close relationship with God and still not be translated into His presence like Enoch was, there are still more of the riches of the depths of His love that we can plumb. The Christian life is first, and primarily, a life of relationship with God. We should focus on our walk with God before we get caught up in our work for God.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I long to walk closely with You. My heart’s desire is to be pleasing to You. I want to know You more and better every day. Help me see anything that stands between me and a deep, fulfilling relationship with You and put it away. I want to walk with You. Help me to draw closer to You. Amen.