Enoch: He Walked With God

“It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11: 5-6 NLT

Enoch means “dedicated,” which is very fitting for this second hero of the faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 and introduced in Genesis 5. As it turns out, Genesis mentions two Enochs fairly close together. The first was the son of Cain, but this is not the same one mentioned in Hebrews. Our faithful Enoch is mentioned one chapter later, and we find that he came from the line of Seth, seven generations from Adam and was the great-grandfather of Noah. We are told that he pleased God, so much so, that he is only one of two people we know of who were “taken” to Heaven without dying. So what was it about Enoch that allowed him to find such favor? And what can we learn from him?

In Hebrews 11:5-6, we find a few things out right away: Enoch pleased God because of his faith, believed that God exists, and believed that God rewards those who sincerely seek him. So how did he live this out? Genesis 5:21-24 tells us this:

“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 and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”

Enoch walked faithfully with God. Scripture tells us not once, but twice! Whenever scripture repeats itself, I have to believe it is an intentional reminder to look, listen, remember, and root these words in our hearts. So what does walking with God look like? And how can we do the same?

Here are a few lessons we can learn from Enoch’s walk with the Lord:

1. What’s most important isn’t when you start your walk, but that you start.

“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…” Gen.5:22

Did y’all catch that? After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God. Does that mean he wasn’t following God for the first 65 years of his life? It appears that way…or at least not “walking” faithfully. And y’all, that gives me so much hope! When I see these men and women of faith mentioned in the Bible, their status can seem unattainable at times. And yet, God in His mercy, shows us over and over again that no one, besides Jesus, ever was or ever will be perfect. Enoch didn’t follow God from his first year on Earth. It wasn’t even year 10 or 20 or 30. And yet, God chose to include him in scripture as an example for us to follow as a man of great faith! So be encouraged that it doesn’t matter when you choose to begin walking with the Lord, but that you do!

2. To walk with God, we have to choose: please God or please man.

“…he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith.” Heb.11:5

One of the greatest desires of my heart is to be known as someone who pleases the Lord. But unfortunately, I know my own tendency to be a “people-pleaser” at times. Not wanting to disappoint or embarrass or be thought bad of by others. But y’all, if we truly want to walk with God, we have to put Him first. To intentionally think about pleasing Him more than others. To choose Him and the things of Heaven more than the things of Earth. And it’s not easy. It takes courage and strength that only He can give. Our faith in Him must be greater than our faith in the people and things of this world. It’s a choice we all have to make, sometimes week by week, day by day, or even minute by minute.

3. To walk with the Lord, you have to be on the same road.

“Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Heb.11:6

He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. I’ve thought about those words many times over the years. What “sincerely seeks Him” means. What it really looks like. And y’all, I have come to this conclusion. So many times in my life I’d say, “oh yes, I’m walking with the Lord” and show you my Bible or my Bible Study attendance record or my VBS volunteer status. But the truth is that those things don’t mean a whole lot by themselves. Because at the same time I was serving in church, the truth is, that I might have just been serving myself at times. Again, that people-pleasing at work.

You see, we all have a choice. We all start the day at a fork in the road. One way is with the Lord and offers His wisdom, protection, and guidance. The other veers away from Him, allowing our hearts and minds to take in all of the things that seek to take His place in our life. Sometimes I choose the right road, sometimes I don’t. And though I love Him, know without a doubt that I am saved, and in my heart of hearts long to please Him alone, I still choose myself some days. But thanks be to Jesus, that in His great mercy each morning, I’m allowed to start over…and choose differently. And we all are.

The Lord knows our hearts. He knows the sincerity within them. And He loves us so very much that though we may run ahead or fall behind or even choose a different road, we can always get back in step with Him.

One version of scripture says that Enoch walked “steadily” with God, and I love that illustration. To be steady, you walk in a controlled, unwavering manner. Unchanging, y’all. We don’t change our speed or tempo…we simply stay beside Jesus. Step by step. Day by day. Week by week. Year by year. That’s what Enoch did, and I pray for the Lord to help us all do the same.