KEY SCRIPTURE. Hebrews 11:5 

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.

RELEVANCE

Throughout history, biblical and otherwise, people have pleased God. But the scriptures about Enoch really send home the message. I don't know about you, but he makes me feel like a second-class believer. 

We're not sure what Enoch did to please God unless we read the pseudepigraphical books of Enoch. But from the few short biblical words we know, we can be sure he lived a faithful life. We know from scripture that he both pleased God and walked with God. 

Genesis 5:21-24 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked WITH God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 

When Enoch was born, the earth was full of filth and bizarre worship, which continued until the flood cleansed the earth three generations later. Why didn't God remove others? For instance, Methuselah, Noah's grandfather, who went on to become the world's oldest person? Or even Enoch's father, Jared, who was alive for many years after Enoch was translated. Also, Lamech, Noah's father, was still alive at the translation, and Noah was about 5 years old, an impressionable age. God only took Enoch. The rest of the team had to keep living their faith in a spiritually diseased world.

Some wonder why good things happen to others but seem to bypass themselves. The reason for that lies in the storehouse of God's decisions, and it is not for us to even guess why He blesses and overlooks, as that could be a lack of faith.

Like many believing families in wicked societies, Enoch's family would have discussed the evil that overshadowed the land, their situation in it, their answered and unanswered prayers, and God's presence and divine providence. 

We do not know if Enoch was seen upon his departure. But if Elijah's journey is anything to compare with, I would say yes, he was not only seen by others, but I would guess that God spoke with some about his departure. 

Our key verse says before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. What a wonderful pinnacle—to please God so consistently and faithfully that God would bring someone home early—alive.

It says By faith Enoch was translated. His faith underpinned all he did. Faith can also control our mouths and hearts so that God reaps pleasure from our words, thoughts and actions, and not just one or two of those outlets of the Spirit.

The scripture of Enoch's translation really conveys the message of how much God loved him and appreciated his service. I think Enoch is an exemplary blueprint to emulate—to become so consistent and continually faithful that we please God in everything we do every day.  Too much to ask? What do you think? 

PRAYER

Oh, Lord, to be so desired by you as Enoch was. To please you is my only real desire, but faults hamper my journey. Father, please help us all to get a lift of faith from the Enoch story.  

Photo by Vitolda Klein