Hello friends, we are continuing the study of Enoch, the Father of Methuselah. Genesis 5, Hebrews 11, and Jude are the main scriptures used, if you would like to read them. Last week we learned that at the age of 65 Enoch made a choice to walk with God, and continued to walk habitually with God for another 300 years, then God took him. The Bible says that Enoch was translated by God, but before his translation or change he had this testimony, that he pleased God. The Young’s Literal Translation clarifies more by stating that before his translation he had been testified to—that he pleased God well. Enoch did not assume that he pleased God, no- Enoch was told by God that he pleased Him.
What did Enoch do to please God? Hebrews chapter 11 sheds light on the answer by telling us what does not please God. It says, without faith it is impossible to please Him. The Bible goes on to say that (paraphrasing), believing that God is, and believing that God rewards those who diligently seek him pleases God.
Enoch already had a head knowledge about God just like we know facts of our family history. He would have heard of God by listening to his Grandfathers, even Adam himself, about who God was and how they screwed up and fell out of faith and believed the serpent more than God, and sinned against the One who loves them. So Enoch already knew who God was, superficially, but an event in Enoch’s life caused something to change inside his heart, for it was after Enoch had Methuselah that he chose to diligently seek God.
Could it be that after he looked at the face of his new baby boy and thought to himself that he might just burst with pride, love, care, devotion and the fierce protective spirit that sprung from his heart….that at that moment Enoch considered how God must feel. I know you are there, but do you feel the same way about me that I feel about my boy? Whatever the thought process in his mind, Enoch chose to believe God and actively seek Him.
During their three hundred year walk together, Enoch was told by God that he pleased Him. Do you think after all of the time hearing it he started to believe it? Do you think that was his testimony? “I please God, because God told me so”. We sing, “Jesus Loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17) and it was his faith in God and his faith in the words God said that enabled God to take Enoch from this world and be translated into the arms of the Father. By faith Enoch was translated….
A reminder for those who are not familiar with the love of God: God is the sovereign of the universe, but He does not abuse His authority and power. God is ready to receive those who have faith in Him, but will not force a relationship on anyone. It is our choice.
God did not force Enoch to leave his family. They must have discussed Enoch’s going on to glory just like they discussed everything else. After talking with God and considering, Enoch chose to go to the one who loves Him, and it was done by faith, which, according to the bible, works by love. (Galatians 5:6)
The day Enoch disappeared from the face of the earth must have been a surprise to some, for the Bible says he was not found. (Someone had to look for him for him to not be found). There must have been loved ones left who missed Enoch, was it his Wife? Sons and daughters? Grandkids? Great-Grandkids? Friends? How long did they look for him before realizing what happened? Did they have the relationship with God that Enoch had? Did they have a testimony that they pleased God well?
Do you believe God is? Do you seek him diligently? When you do, the bible says you please God well. Beware of false humility in yourself and others that can rob you of God’s praise. If God says something about us it is very proper to repeat it. If you seek God diligently, I encourage you to say, “ I please God well” and do it often. Remember, God rewards those who diligently seek him.
Until next time, God bless you and your loved ones.
