Our Hope: Enoch Was Taken

“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Genesis 5:24 

Enoch is a very interesting hero of the faith.  He is fascinating, actually, yet we really know very little about him personally.  Let’s talk about what we do know about him.

Enoch’s father was Jared, a descendant from Adam.  Enoch lived 65 years, and he became the father of Methuselah.  Methuselah is considered to be the oldest living person of all time because Scripture tells us he lived to a ripe old age–all of 969! That is nearly 1000 years old!

After fathering Methuselah, Enoch lived another three hundred years.  He had sons and daughters, but Scripture does not tell us anything about them.

This is all we know about Enoch.  Other than that he walked with God, we know nothing more. But we sure can assume that Enoch was a godly man, that he had the favor of the Lord upon him, and that because he was taken by God, he literally ascended to heaven, to be changed forever.

Why is Enoch any different from others who walk with God?  We do not know the answer to that question.  Does it mean he was more godly than we are?  Did God simply want his company?  Or is it possible that God had a plan, a place of service in heaven that He had designed for Enoch exclusively?

I like to envision the last option because since God is a God of order, and because His plans are always perfect, it would be just like Him to do just that–have a job prepared for Enoch. He may have rewarded him for not only walking diligently with Him, but also because of the witness he must have been to all those around him.

Just imagine what it would have been like to be there and see Enoch taken up into the sky!  It would have been amazing.  It would also have been a bit unsettling, until one realized that only God could have done that.

There are many Heroes of the Faith, as we call them, found in Hebrews 11.  Ordinary men and women whom God used to do extraordinary things, we are given a glimpse of the glory they most certainly are enjoying now.  Enoch is mentioned again in Hebrews, along with Moses, and Noah, Abraham and Sarah, and Abel.

“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

God is Our Hope.  He sent His Son Jesus to this earth to be the ultimate Hero of the Faith, to be the Hope of the world.  He has taught us how to walk with God, and how to please Him.  He brings us fresh hope every day, and no matter how difficult our night is, His hope comes with the morning.  Let us remember and learn from the heroes God has set before us, that we will understand them and emulate them in their dedication to service to and for Our Hope.

Which Bible character who challenges you to excellence? If so, please go to www.mystoryofgrace.com and post your story there.  We want to celebrate your story with you!

Blessings!