Enoch
(The Readings - January 1999)
Subsequent to the fall of man in the garden of Eden, two distinct seeds developed from Adam.
The line of Cain
The seed of the serpent began with Cain, who, after killing his brother, fled from the
presence of the Lord to dwell in the land of Nod ("wandering"). In this
strange land, he began a family and civilization that pursued fleshly endeavors. Cain
became renowned for building a city which he named after his son Enoch (Gen. 4:17).
His descendants followed his example and soon became more wicked than their father. They spent all their time in worldly pursuits until the violence they generated in the earth was destroyed in the flood.
The line of Seth
Adam’s line through his son Seth were more willing to comply with God’s demands.
With the birth of Seth, some men began to call upon the Lord (Gen. 4:26) and his
descendants represented the seed of the woman, later styled the "sons of
God" (Gen. 6:2). Very little information is given about this faithful line until
we come to another Enoch, the seventh from Adam. Even then scripture records very little
about him and the little recorded is curious.
"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." (Gen. 5:21-24).
What happened to Enoch?
This short record of Enoch’s life has puzzled many Bible students and at times
created controversy among brethren. The description of his death is atypical and open to
various interpretations. There are several phrases regarding Enoch that lead to this
difference in opinion. The Genesis record does not state Enoch died, but that "he
was not; for God took him." Furthermore, Hebrews adds: "Enoch was
translated that he should not see death; and was not found" (Heb 11:5,6). These
unique descriptions of Enoch’s end have led some to conclude Enoch never died, but
remains alive to this day. Perhaps this is the meaning that was intended when we are told
that "Enoch walked with God."
For others this explanation is unsatisfactory, and even opposed to familiar scripture passages. One notable reference is found in the book of John, where Jesus says, "no man hath ascended up to heaven" (John 3:13). Another is found in Romans: "So death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). Even within the letter to the Hebrews, where Enoch is referred to as being translated, the writer goes on to comment "these all died in faith, not having received the promises" (Heb. 11:13).
These verses suggest Enoch could not have escaped death, but rather walked with God during his life, and his life was taken prematurely so he would not see the coming wickedness.
Of the two interpretations the latter seems most in line with the first principles of our faith, but how can this be supported further by the Bible? Additional scripture references would serve to fill out our understanding of the difficult language that is used concerning Enoch. A useful source of information comes from the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge (TSK) (see Tidings, Sept., 1998).
Examining the key phrase
Genesis says "Enoch walked with God: and he was not." This is not
the usual reference to death in the summary of each of Enoch’s ancestors, but this
does not prove Enoch met a different end. By considering "and he was not" in
other passages (with reference to the TSK) it is apparent the phrase usually refers to
individuals who are no longer living.
Rachel is found weeping for her children, "because they were not" (Jer 31:15). A lament is taken up by Jeremiah when he complains, "our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities" (Lam. 5:7). Even Jacob, who believed his son Joseph was dead, used this phrase (Gen. 42:36).
Consistently in scripture the phrase "he was not" refers to dead people.
The phrase "walked with God"
While we cannot be dogmatic about Enoch’s fate, we are certain Enoch "walked
with God" on earth. Examining the biblical use of this expression is yet more
rewarding in our effort to understand this peculiar passage and the character of the man
Enoch. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists many cross references of which the
following seem particularly helpful.
The next occurrence of "walked with God" is in Genesis 6: "These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." (Gen. 6:9). Here there is no inference that Noah went to heaven to be with God; rather, it is clear Noah was an obedient servant of the Lord while he lived upon the earth. Two other righteous men, Abraham and Isaac, are later referred to as walking before God (Gen. 48:15). Even the psalmist expressed his desire to "walk before the Lord in the land of the living" (Psa. 116:9). Indeed he was not dead, walking with God in heaven, but living his life in accordance with the will of his creator.
Walking along a pathway with another individual requires harmony to reach a common goal or destination. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Enoch, along with Abraham, Isaac and David, was clearly a man following the pathway God intended for him. These men were compatible with God. The expression, "Enoch walked with God" thus provides a concise summary of his righteous life.
Enoch in Jude
With this description of Enoch in mind, a reference to him in the book of Jude takes
on new meaning. The apostle Jude describes Enoch as a vocal prophet who spoke out
vigorously against the ungodly of his day with these words: "Behold, the Lord
cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all
that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds..." (Jude 14,15).
Significantly, Jude goes on to describe these ungodly men as "murmurers,
complainers, walking after their own lusts" (Jude 16).
Evidently Enoch not only set a good example, but he spoke out against those who did not walk with God. His efforts would not be popular with those who walked after their own lusts.
The power of Enoch's example lies not in that he dwells in heaven with God, but rather that he agreed with God’s principles and practiced them in his life. Like Abraham and Isaac, he was going in the same direction as God. This same obedience to our creator is required of us. We must not walk after our own lusts, but walk with God.
This personal message is declared plainly in the book of the prophet Micah: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8).
Dan Robinson