“Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24)

The message of Scripture is written telling the stories of God’s salvation and hope through the lives of people who have come to trust God and those who reject and rebel against God. One of the stories about one who trusted God is the story of Enoch. This is his story. “When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:18-24)

Enoch lived before the flood when God limited man’s lifespan on earth to be 120 years. In preparation for the flood God set the limit of one’s life. “Then the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.’” (Genesis 6:3) Beyond the statistics of Enoch’s life, there is one thing said about Him. “Enoch walked faithfully with God.” (Genesis 5:24) The writer of Hebrews recognizes Enoch in the hall of faith. “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)

The question which the life of Enoch presents to us, is how do we please God? Hebrews give us an answer. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We please God by our own faithful walk with God. This walk includes two basic elements. First, we must believe that He exists. When Peter viewed the life of Jesus, he had come to know by faith that Jesus was God. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69) We can look at creation and see reasons to believe. We can look at history and see more reasons to believe. We can read the stories of Scripture and find reasons to believe. However, if we want to know God, it still comes by faith. This was the reason the author of Hebrews included the Hall of Faith. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) We believe God exists.

Second, we must believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Jesus promised to come for His followers. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4) Jesus is preparing a place for us who have faith in Him. In His return, He is coming for us with reward. “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Revelation 22:12) It is an amazing thought, that through our life and the promise to live forever with God that He also will reward us for our diligence and earnestness in seeking after Him to know Him all by faith. In doing so, we please God. May we walk daily by faith growing in our knowledge of God and doing His will.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block