Enoch’s Walk of Faith
Heb. 11:5
Introduction
One of the most excellent examples in the Bible of a truly Godly man of faith is Enoch. His name is mentioned only 12 times in 11 verses. He was a unique or special person for it was written that he was the first man who did not experience death. He was the first person written who “pleased God”, and the first person who prophesied the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. All the truly saved and faithful will meet him someday in the future. When he was taken, his walk here on earth ended but it continued in heaven.
I. Who is Enoch?
A. The son of Jared, and father of Methuselah (Gen. 5:21; Lk. 3:37).
B. His name means “dedicated” or “disciplined”
C. His father was one hundred and sixty-two years old when he was born.
D. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch “walked with God three hundred years” (Gen. 5:22-24), then God took him without tasting death.
E. His whole life on earth was three hundred and sixty-five years. He was the “seventh from Adam” (Jude 14), as distinguished from the son of Cain, the third from Adam.
F. He is spoken of in the lists of Old Testament Heroes of faith in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Heb. 11:5).
G. When he was translated, only Adam, so far as recorded, died a natural death, and Noah was not yet born. Mention is made of Enoch’s prophesying only in Jude 14.
II. What is special about him?
A. Enoch is a righteous man; he is a holy man of God! Otherwise, he cannot “please” God.
B. Enoch is the model of all godliness and holiness.
C. He is one of two men in scriptures who it was said of they ‘walked with God”. (Gen. 5:24, Gen. 6:9). The other one was Noah.
D. He was one of only two men who were taken to heaven without experiencing physical death. (Heb. 11:5, Gen. 5:24, 2 Kings 2:1-15). It is written “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God”. Enoch and Elijah did not experience physical death. They were both taken up into heaven physically alive.
E. And he is the only man, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, that he “pleased God”! (Heb. 11:5, 2 Pet. 1:17)
Illustration/Application
We don’t read within the Bible that Enoch was a father of a nation like Abraham, or a great leader like Moses, or a warrior like Joshua and Caleb, or a king like David, or a statesman like Daniel. He was an ordinary man like you and me. We can be a man of God! We can walk with God! We can know God in the deepest, intimate fellowship and communion and in every sense of the word of God. It
doesn’t matter that we are not an apostle or a prophet. It doesn’t matter that we not a great preacher, or a great intellectual, it doesn’t matter that we don’t know theology – we can know God! We can walk with God!
III. He walked with God, what does it mean?
A. Reconciliation. In the book of Amos we read these words, chapter 3 and verse 3: ‘Can two walk together except they be agreed?’ – and it presupposes that if Enoch walked with God, Enoch had to be reconciled with God, to be in agreement with Him, to be in agreement about his sin, to be in agreement about the remedy for his sin – the grace of God, to be in agreement about God’s holy law and God’s standard and character of holiness. And he, had to be converted, a man cannot walk with God unless he knows God in reconciliation. Can two walk together except they be agreed?
B. To walk with God means to have fellowship with Him. We are aware of His divine presence and we are in spiritual communion with Him (Amos 3:3). Just like lovers who hold each other’s hands intimacy, agreement, and care is there.
C. To walk with God is to talk to him regularly through prayers (Ps. 55:17) and to listen to His words through Bible reading (Prov. 8:33, Rom. 10:17). In praying let’s not do all the talking but learn how to listen. I remember my lecturer in Bible College who tells us to learn to listen more specially when praying.
D. To walk with God is to fear Him and to obey (Deut. 13:4) His commandments. God’s word is our rule in everything. Fear here means reverential trust with hatred of evil. For young people, and teen agers, obey your parents (Eph. 6:1, Col. 3:20).
E. To walk with God is to live a Godly and Holy life in the midst of the crooked and corrupt people around us even if it means standing alone. I would include here having fellowship with people whom you share the same belief and conviction, like those in the church.
F. To walk with God is to have faith in Him and to His promises trusting Him at all times. Christian walk is by faith only 2 Cor. 5:7.
G. To walk with God is to serve Him continuously and do this that will please Him. It is said that Enoch walked with God for 300 years. (Gen. 5:22).
H. To walk with God is to do things that will please Him. In Heb. 11:5 we are told that Enoch has a testimony that pleased God. Is God pleased the way we are living now. I know some brothers and sisters who would rather die than disobey the Lord and commit sin.
Illustration/Application: Robert Moffat
An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. “Pastor,” said the man, “something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy.”
The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. “I feel it all,” he replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign.
After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?”
Again, tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. “Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.”
Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk.
Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.
Source unknown
IV. His Prophecy:
A. It is remarkable that thousands of years ago, he was prophesying of the second coming of Christ and great judgment against sinners.
B. Some says that the coming judgment being prophesied by Enoch is the coming flood.
C. However, it is very clear that he is prophesying about the second coming of Christ (1 Thess. 3:13)
D. The judgment of course is the judgement of all the wicked. It will be a universal judgment. None shall escape the just and righteous God.
V. Conclusion:
During the time of wickedness, a man of God stand firm and walked with God. He was just an ordinary guy like you and me. Because of his faith and righteous living, God took him without experiencing physical death. Would you walk with God just like Enoch? Christ is inviting you to come to Him and walk with Him. Would you respond to His call?
