What a tremendous testimony of a man's life in so few words.
Posted on 06/02/2021 5:41:20 AM PDT by metmom
Enoch enjoyed close fellowship with the Lord. In fact, his communion with God was so intimate that the Lord translated him to glory long before his life on earth might have ended. “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” (Hebrews 11:5, NKJV).
Why did the Lord choose to translate Enoch? The opening word of this verse tells us very plainly that it was because of his faith. Moreover, the closing phrase tells us Enoch’s faith pleased God. The Greek root word for ‘please’ here means fully united, wholly agreeable, in total oneness. In short, Enoch had the closest possible communion with the Lord that any human being after the fall could enjoy, and this intimate fellowship was pleasing to God.
The Bible tells us Enoch began walking with the Lord after he begot his son, Methuselah. Enoch was sixty-five at the time. He then spent the next 300 years fellowshipping with God intimately. To our knowledge, this man never performed a miracle, never developed a profound theology, never did any great works worthy of mention in scripture.
Instead, we read this simple description of the faithful man’s life: “Enoch walked with God.”
Hebrews makes it clear that Enoch was so in touch with the Father, so close to him in hourly communion, God chose to bring him home to himself. The Lord said to Enoch, in essence, “I can’t take you any further in the flesh. To increase my intimacy with you, I have to bring you to my side.” So he whisked Enoch away to glory.
How often do we pray for that level of deeper fellowship with God? How often do we long to meet with God? Enoch’s life is a wonderful testimony of what it means to truly walk in faith, and it should inspire us to prayer and longing.
What a tremendous testimony of a man's life in so few words.
Re-reading Bible began 3 days ago and when I read this...I wondered if Enoch will be one of the prophets during the first half of the Great Trib. Did some research and he is an option along with Elijah. What a pair! :)
I have also thought that.
I know many think it’s going to be Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets.
But Hebrews 9:27 says “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,...”
Enoch and Elijah are the only two whom Scripture records as having never died. Additionally, when you read Jude, he talks about Enoch preaching about the end times.
If that was Enoch’s focus, it makes a LOT of sense that he would be one of the ones on the scene for the end times.
It’s easy to find a book on the promises of God towards us. But try to find a book on pleasing God. Not easy. Here is a list of things that please God.
1. Faith towards God John 6:29, Heb 11:5,6
2. Abstaining from immorality 1 Thess 4:1-8
3. Growing in the knowledge of God Col 1:9,10
4. Being strengthened with might Col 1:11
5. Patience, long-suffering with joy Col 1:11, Heb 10:36-38
6. Prayers of the upright Prov 15:8
7. Being fruitful in every good work Col 1:10
8. Being complete in every good work Heb 13:21
9. Giving thanks to God in all things Psalms 69:30, Col 1:12
10. Praising the name of God Psalm 69:30
11. Fearing God and hoping for His mercy Psalm 147:11
12. Obeying the voice of the Lord 1 Sam 15:22
12. To love God Prov 8:17
13. Blessing Israel Numbers 24:1
14. Children being obedient to parents Col 3:20
15. Being honest in business Prov 11:1
16. Praying for those in authority 1 Tim 2:1-3
17. Sacrificial giving and sharing 2 Cor 9:7, Heb 13:16, Phil 4:18
18. Being merciful Micah 7:18
19. Doing good Heb 13:16
20. Having a gentle and quiet spirit 1 Peter 3:4
Nice.
So many religions teach that God is never satisfied, that no matter what we do, He’s still not happy with us.
It’s really great to know that we can so things to please Him.
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