Hall of Faith: Enoch, the Faithful
Have you heard of the saying “older than Methuselah”?
Well, Methuselah lived longer than anyone and died at 969 years.
Methuselah was the son of Enoch. The name Enoch means dedicated and trained, which describes this man described in the Hall of Faith.
Enoch is one of only two men who walked with God until they “were no more.” {The other was the prophet Elijah.} In other words, God took them to heaven to be with him.
Enoch was the son of Jared. He was also the great-grandfather of a man named Noah {you know–the flood}.
We know from the new testament that Enoch descended from the lineage of Seth. {Seth was the son Adam and Eve had after Cain killed Abel}. He is described in the book of Jude as “the seventh from Adam.” Meaning he was the seventh generation from Adam. {Adam was his 4x great-grandfather}.
Genesis 5:23 tells us, “and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
Enoch walked hand in hand with God. Then God took him and he was no more. In other words, God took him to heaven and he did not see death.
Hebrews 11 says, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God: and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.”
The Hall of Faith tells us that Enoch was pleasing in his belief and walk to God. Without
faith we cannot be pleasing to God.
Among the Dead sea Scrolls is a book in Aramaic known as 1 Enoch. This book is a part of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. According to Jude 1, this book is referenced. In essence, “Enoch prophesies “to” ungodly men, that God shall come with His holy ones to judge and convict them.”
Enoch lived in the wicked days before the flood. Enoch was not silent about the wickedness around him, but prophesied and spoke out to the people.
His words are recorded in Jude, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
So what can we learn from Enoch?
- He walked with God
- He was not afraid to speak out
- God was please with His faith
- He warned of future events
- His faith was so strong, He did not see death
We can all learn to be faithful like Enoch. I know there is always room in my life to draw closer to God and walk closer hand in hand with Him.
How can you be more faithful in your walk?