Who Was Enoch and Why Is He Mentioned in the “Hall of Faith”?
Share
Long ago, when the world was young and filled with wonders and mysteries, humanity struggled to find its way. People lived for centuries. Their lives overlapped many generations, and they passed down stories of God and the Garden of Eden. But as time went on, the God who walked in the garden with Adam and Eve seemed a distant memory. As the population grew, so did the evil in the world, and wickedness and corruption began to fill the hearts of man. Enoch was born into this unusual time, but little did he know his life would become a shining example of faith.
Who Was Enoch?
In Genesis chapter five, God provides a detailed genealogy. If you add together the age of the fathers when their son was born, Enoch came into the world 622 years after creation. Adam lived 930 years and died when Enoch was 308 years old. While we don’t know if the two men ever met, the possibility exists that Enoch learned about God and walking with Him in the Garden of Eden directly from Adam.
When Enoch was 65 years old, an event happened in his life that changed the course of his future. “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years” (Genesis 5:21-22). Did seeing the miracle of birth changed his attitude about God? Maybe the responsibility of raising a son caused him to turn to God for answers. Whatever the reason, the result was Enoch developed a close relationship with the Creator.
Enoch’s steadfast devotion to God led him on a remarkable journey of faith. Despite the prevailing darkness, he lived a righteous life and pleased God. He chose to walk in close fellowship with his Lord. Day by day, moment by moment, Enoch sought God’s presence and guidance in all aspects of his life.
Enoch did not keep his life of faith private. He boldly announced that God would come to judge the world’s sins (Jude 14-15). Enoch’s faith shone brightly in a world darkened by sin. Through the righteous life he lived and the words he spoke, Enoch characterized the holiness of God. “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
How Did Enoch Die?
Enoch’s faith and devotion were so remarkable, God spared him from experiencing physical death. The writer of Hebrews reaffirms this truth: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away’” (Heb 11:5).
God granted Enoch the privilege of being taken directly to heaven, escaping the clutches of death. Enoch’s transition from his earthly existence to God’s presence is a confirmation of the power of faith and the reward of pleasing God. Among the millions upon millions of people who have lived, only two never died — Enoch and Elijah!
This remarkable event serves as a depiction of what is coming for those who faithfully walk with God. Before the judgement of the flood, God removed Enoch. In the same manner, God will remove the saints before the Great Tribulation.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Enoch was a man who truly pleased God. His life of faith has encouraged and inspired believers throughout the ages. It confirms righteous living and devotion to God are not in vain. They are the path into a deeper relationship with our Lord. The closeness to God he achieved through faith endures as an example for us to follow.
By Faith Enoch Walked with God
“Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24).
Enoch’s life emphasizes the importance of faith and a daily relationship with God. He did not limit his time with God to religious rituals or occasional ceremonies. He developed a continuing, everyday relationship with his Creator.
All the direct descendants from Adam to Enoch were alive during his lifetime. While Enoch did not have written Scripture, he listened to the stories of God that were passed down to him and he meditated on them daily. As he prayed daily, Enoch’s faith prompted him to seek God’s guidance, listen to His voice, and follow His instructions.
Enoch exemplified what Moses would later write: “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you” (Deuteronomy 5:33). Enoch’s life is a model for Christians today to follow. We are to place our faith and trust in God. Through prayer and Bible study, we are to seek His guidance in every situation. Despite what challenges we face; we can find strength and hope in the Lord as we daily walk with Him.
By Faith Enoch Pleased God
“For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:5-6).
An intimate relationship with God characterized Enoch’s faith. He spent time with the Creator, allowing God to guide his steps and mold his character. Enoch’s faith was not a mere adherence to rules and rituals, but a heartfelt connection with his Lord. He found favor in God’s eyes because of his dedication and obedience.
Enoch lived a righteous life that flowed from a heart that loved God. His example serves as a reminder that our choices and actions can bring pleasure to God. As the Apostle Paul commanded us, “Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
The life of faith always pleases God. He loves to be trusted. As followers of Christ, we can please God through our obedience, our love for others, and our pursuit of righteousness. Enoch’s example encourages us to strive for lives that honor and please God, bringing Him glory in all we do.
By Faith Enoch Did Not Conform to This World
“Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him’” (Jude 14-15).
Enoch’s faith and righteous life stood in stark contrast to the prevailing culture of his time. He found favor in the eyes of God, and God blessed him with a vision of the coming judgment. Enoch was privileged to see into the future when the Lord Jesus will return with the saints and pronounce judgment on the ungodly (Revelation 20).
Enoch stood firm in his faith and boldly proclaimed God’s judgment on worldly lifestyles. He walked in obedience, not conforming to the world around him. He followed the leading of the Lord and shared His message with those he met. The light of God’s word shone brightly through Enoch, illuminating the darkness of the world.
Enoch’s life and witness remind us it is possible to be faithful to God despite the surrounding evil. His faith provides a powerful example of staying focused on God and His truth amid worldly distractions and temptations. The Apostle Paul said, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). By prioritizing our relationship with God and seeking His wisdom, we can navigate life’s challenges with faith and integrity.
Enoch’s Legacy - An Enduring Testimony
Enoch’s faith in God was unwavering, and he pleased God with his righteous deeds. The words of the prophet Micah could well summarize his life. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
The words “and then he died” that echo throughout the family line of Adam, doesn’t apply to Enoch. His life story ends with the statement “then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). It was by faith that God took him to heaven. Enoch believed God, he walked with God, and he went to be with God, which is a model for all of us to follow.
Although Enoch’s earthly journey ended, his story lives on as an enduring testimony that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. His legacy of faith is a symbol of hope, inspiring us to walk daily with our Lord and pursue a life that pleases God.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Andranik Hakobyan
Brad Simon has shared God’s Word for over forty-five years, with a unique blend of storytelling and Bible exposition. He is a retired Master Jeweler and relies on the God-given creativity that won him several national and international jewelry design awards to craft Biblical Narratives and Life Stories that are engaging and thought-provoking. Once a speaker, author, and publisher for the jewelry industry, now he is putting those skills to work to promote the beauty and appeal of God’s Word. Download a free copy of his devotional on prayer.