Genesis 5:21 ¶ And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: (22) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (24) And Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.
Intro: For a few moments I would like to talk to you about Enoch, and how he walked with God. This man of God is first mentioned briefly in Bible in the book of Genesis in chapter 5 verses 18-24. His first appearance is in verse 18 and in verse 24 then he’s quickly removed. Never to be heard from again; his only other references in the Bible after his departure in Genesis is in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke 3:37 refer to his belonging to the genealogy of Jesus, in Hebrews 11:5-6 we hear of his faith, and in the book of Jude 14-16 we are given a prophecy concerning the second coming of Christ. Also he could be one of the two witnesses returning to the earth during the time of the tribulation spoken of in Revelation 11:1-12, but today we want to focus on his walk with God and what we can learn from this patriarch of the faith. That we to may walk with God, and have that testimony that we pleased God.
I. What’s in a name?
A. Names told you about that person it was a testimony for them, the Jews took name choosing very important. As seen in the case of John the Baptist.
1. Elijah “Yahweh is God”
2. Elisha “ God Saves”
3. Amos “ To Carry”
4. Hosea “ Salvation or Yahweh Saves”
5. Isaiah “ Jehovah is Helper or Salvation is of the Lord”
B. The name above all names.
1. Isaiah told King Ahaz in Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. This means God with us.
2. Other names are giving Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, The Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and End, and The Word of God.
3. We know Him as Jesus Christ Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
4. Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; (11) And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A. Enoch whose name means “Dedication” was dedicated to walk with God.
1. The word “walk” in the Hebrew language is halak (haw-lak) which means to be conversant; which defined in the Webster’s Dictionary as having knowledge and experience. That means when Enoch walked with God he got something from his walk.
B. Enoch walked with the true God.
1. In Genesis 22&24 the word “God” in the Hebrew language is Elohim (el-lo-heem’) which means “Supreme God”. The use of this particular translation out of over 11 different translations of the word “God” in the Hebrew and Greek language was probably added to show that Enoch walked with the True and Supreme God of Heaven, and not an idol god of the times.
2. In a time of idol worship where other gods like Baal and Ashtorath were worshipped. Enoch held true and dedicated to the Supreme God of Heaven. While others may cling or walk with there idol god or gods for a season, and either stop walking and communing with there god or gods, or possibly drop the old one for a new god that better suits there desires. Not Enoch he held on and walked and communed with the true God.
3. In scriptures any time we see the word LORD in all caps it is a reference to Gods true name which is Jehovah as it was told to Moses in Exodus 6:3. That name was such a sacred name that the Jews would not say it or write it. If they were to write God they would only us the G and D out of reverence. They felt it a sacrilege to say his name because God is Holy and they were not. Sounds like we need to follow in that example; when tend to throw Gods name around as if it were any other word or name.
4. It says in Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? So this means that when God walked with Enoch he agreed with Enoch and Enoch agreed with God. There was no separation or strife there to keep them apart.
C. We see that there was progress in Enoch’s walked.
1. Walking with God implies a steady progress in his course.
2. He just didn’t walk a little ways one day then stand still the next; each day was a continually progress to a goal.
3. A goal to be closer to God than the world. In Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
4. We see that Enoch had no plans in walking alone in this World. In Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]? Also in Genesis 2:18 ¶ And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Now this verse was for us in a physical sense as having a wife or husband, but also for us in the spiritual; that we need God, for if we walk alone in sin we are truly alone.
5. Enoch walked with God, and as he took each step his eyes were fixed on his heavenly Companion not allowing the things around him to distract him. Just as it is written in Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
We saw how Enoch walked with God; now let us see how …
II. Enoch pleased God.
A. For this lets turn to 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. (6) But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1. From the text we see that Enoch pleased God. What a testimony to have been said about you that you pleased God.
2. While others may try to be “pleasers of men” always wanting the acceptance of men or the world. Following to please the two, unlike the Child of God who is to please God and only God. For it says in Galatians 1:10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
3. We see that with Enoch he walked to please God and therefore was a follower of God and not the world for it says in 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
4. I will go as far as to say that Enoch did not seek to please a religion, Church, or a pastor for their approval
5. If you want a deeper understanding of what a man is that tries to please a religion or its people, you can read in Matthew 23:1-33 where Christ tells all about the Scribes and Pharisees, and what He thought of those “Pleasers of Men”.
B. Also from this text we see that Enoch had faith.
1. In Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. This tells us that we can not please God without faith.
2. So what is faith in Hebrews 11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
3. The word “Faith” in verses 11:1&6 in the Greek is translated pistis (pis’-tis) which means “Credence” which defined in the Webster’s Dictionary as a mental acceptance as true or real.
4. This tells us that Enoch knew he served the true and living God. And in accepting that he knew the true God, God was pleased by him; for there was no other way but by faith. Also faith in His Word for it says in Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
C. Also from the text we see that Enoch diligently sought God.
1. Despite any circumstances in his life Enoch continually sought God through his ups and downs; he stayed steady with his walk with God. This was a good characteristic of faith in action that through it all he never turned around and went back home forsaking God he kept on till the end.
2. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
D. Lastly we see that Enoch was holy.
1. Thou the word holy was not used in any of the text to describe him, we see that in Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
2. This tells us Enoch was pure in heart as said in Matthew 5:8 Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
3. He walked before God as a holy man keeping himself pure and undefiled by the world. In Hebrews 12:1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, and in 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.
4. Also in other scriptures speak of walking with God as found in Genesis 17:1 ¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Now know that when we walk with God that we should abide in this calling as found in 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
III. Now what can we learn from Enoch.
A. That we should walk with God and have a relationship with Him. In Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
B. We are to be in agreement with him as said in Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? That means we are to follow Gods commandments and keep ourselves spotless and blameless for in 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. That means no sin for it says Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. There should be progress in our walk we should grow when we walk and commune with God. In 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
D. We should not be pleasers of men as said in Galatians 1:10, but of God should we please.
E. We are not to allow the World to corrupt our walk but as said in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. (Examples: idolatry, fornication, lust, hate, ext.…)
F. We are to have faith because in Hebrews 11:6 we are told we can not please God without, also note that when we pray we must have faith for it is written in Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them]. Also in Habakkuk 2:4 we are told that the just shall live by faith.
G. We should diligently seek him for it is written in Psalms 63:1 O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;(2) To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (3) Because thy lovingkindness [is] better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Also in Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
H. And we are to be holy men and women, just as said in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. We are to be clean.
I. Lastly let us follow after the words of Christ as written in Luke 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.(24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.(25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?(26) For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Conclusion: Lastly if we hold on to these examples and apply these in our life we shall truly walk far with the Lord. In Genesis 5:24 we see that God took Enoch. Andrew Bonar made this statement about Enoch and his walk; that while Enoch and God took long walks together every day, that one day they had gone so far from Enoch’s home that God said to his companion “Why go Home? Come all the way with me.” And God took him. Let us go all the way with God not only to Heaven, but here on earth as we live lets walk with him daily and get to know Him like he knows you.
