By faith enoch was taken away: Hebrews 11:5-6

By Faith Enoch Was Taken Away

Hebrews 11:5-6 Christian Standard Bible

5 By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

            Who is Enoch? Enoch can be found in the book of Genesis 5:21-24 21 Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. 22 And after he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. 23 So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him. It also states this in the book of Jude concerning Enoch in verses 14 and 15 14 It was about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: “Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him.”

            Enoch was in the line of Seth. He was seventh in the line listed in the linage of Seth. During his day when he walked the earth, he walked closely with God. Never tasted death. It tells us that God took Him away. He was one who was approved by the Lord. How do we find approval by God? Is it because of our works or our performance? The answer is no. If it was dependent on us, we would fail miserably and we would never measure up. But the scriptures tell us Now without faith it is impossible to please God. The only way we can please God is by faith alone. The only way we are saved and justified before the Lord is by faith alone.

            The writer of Hebrews continues since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. What does drawing near to the Lord demonstrate? It demonstrates that we believe that He exists and the Lord will reward those who seek Him. The word seek here means search out, i.e. (fig.) investigate, crave, demand, (by Hebr.) worship:—en- (re-) quire, seek after (carefully, diligently).[1] When someone diligently seeks the Lord or takes time to investigate or crave His presence it means they have faith and they truly believe. The faith the bible describes is one that results in action and ultimately walking obedience to the ways of the Lord.

            Those the writer of Hebrews was writing to were considering abandoning Jesus and not drawing near. When we fail to draw near, we miss out on the benefits of deep intimacy and closeness with the Lord. It is in walking closely with Him that we are strengthen and encouraged. This was the testimony of Enoch’s life. Enoch during his day was God’s spokesman to his generation. The reason he received the word of the Lord is because he walked with God. He walked so closely with God that God removed him from the earth before he faced or tasted death.

            Chapter eleven of Hebrews is known as the hall of fame of faith. Those listed in this chapter are those who diligently served the Living God and drew near to Him. Nothing about walking with God is easy. God has made it simple for us to understand, but it doesn’t mean it is easy. We are called to find strength in His word and as we draw near to Him. It is through time spent in His presence that we will never be the same. Make it a priority in your own life to draw near to the Lord and continue to grow in Him. Regardless of what we face, He has a plan and purpose for all things.

Prayer

Father thank you for godly examples in your word. Thank you for the life of Enoch who walked closely with you and served you during his time on earth. Father may we find the strength to be the people you have called us to be. Guard our hearts against unbelief. Help us to fix our eyes upon you in the midst of the wickedness of our day. May our heart, mind, will, and emotions be fully surrendered to you. Father thank you for how much you love us. Jesus thank you for your suffering, death, and resurrection. Holy Spirit thank you for your friendship and guidance in our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009), 26.