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Genesis 5:24, And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5, By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Driving as far as we did to and from Iowa there were times of quietness that I had time to reflect on many different things.  Death, heaven, eternity, the signs of the times we are living in went through my mind.  In the process of these thoughts I began to think about my life and the life of my family – both here and in Iowa.  I thought of Enoch and how he was taken by God; so, I looked to God’s Word to refresh me on what it said about him.  There was not a lot said about him - he was the father of Methuselah, had sons and daughters, and walked with God three hundred years. He was 365 years old when God “took” him. He lived in a time of great evil and his life was a testimony against unrighteousness.

The interesting point was that “he pleased God” (from Hebrews); he made God’s honor roll of faith.  I began to think about what it means to please God because in these perilous times we need to please Him.  Enoch walked with God for three hundred years.  What do you think that means?  There was no Bible to read; Moses had not written anything.  To walk with God meant that Enoch had to have intimate communion with God and his walk was by faith.  This is what the Matthew Henry Commentary states about the meaning of walking with God.  “To walk with God is to set God always before us, and to act as those that are always under His eye.  It is to live a life of communion with God both in ordinances and providences.  It is to make God’s word our rule and His glory our end in all our actions.  It is to make our constant care and endeavor in everything to please God, and nothing to offend Him.  It is to comply with his will, to concur with His designs, and to be workers together with Him.  It is to be followers of Him as dear children.  He was entirely dead to the world, and did not only walk after Him, as do all good men do, but he walked with God, as if he were in heaven already.  He was not only good in bad times, but the best in good times.”

There is no mention of Enoch performing any miracles, no mention of a profound theology, and no great works are recorded.  The Bible simply states an important statement of faith: “Enoch walked with God!”   From this we can know that walking with God pleases Him; the only way to walk with God is by faith.  Because Enoch so pleased God, God honored him by taking him away from the earth to be in His presence forever without Enoch experiencing death.

The Life in the Spirit Study Bible gives Believers this encouragement, “Believers today should ponder the life of Enoch as an example, for we also live in an evil and ungodly generation.”  Can you imagine having it said that you walked with God?  I pray that this blog is an encouragement for you to desire a closer walk with the Lord!  I pray that you have a growing dissatisfaction with the things of this world and a greater desire for that which pleases the Lord.  One of these days, and it may be soon, Believers are going to be “taken away so they do not see death” just like Enoch to be in the presence of the Lord for eternity.  “True faith, like Enoch’s, is found waiting on your Savior, ministering to him until you hear and know His heart” (David Wilkerson).  Evaluate your life, your lifestyle to be sure your walk of faith is pleasing to Him.

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