The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now studying the heroes of faith found in the Bible. In Hebrews 11, we find a remarkable chapter that introduces us to a cloud of witnesses, individuals who exemplified extraordinary faith. However our study will go beyond Hebrews 11 and include the lives of others that are examples of the blessings of having faith in God. We will also talk about other non-biblical examples of people that exhibited extraordinary faith, some of them are people we may know.
Throughout this Bible study, we will delve into the lives of these individuals, examining the specific trials they endured, the faith principles they embraced, and the lessons we can learn from their examples. Our goal is not merely to admire their accomplishments but to understand the underlying principles that fueled their faith and to apply those principles to our own lives.
As we explore the lives of these faith heroes, we will discover that faith is not merely a belief; it is a dynamic force that empowers us to overcome obstacles, persevere through difficulties, and live a life of purpose. This week we look at the life and faith of Enoch. Hebrews 11:5 NIV [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.
While he's not mentioned extensively, Enoch is noteworthy for a few key reasons:
Enoch is one of only two individuals in the Bible, along with Elijah, who did not experience physical death. Instead, he was "taken up" by God, indicating a direct ascension to heaven. This event signifies the possibility of divine intervention in human life and the hope of eternal life.
Enoch is credited with a prophetic statement in the Book of Jude. He is said to have prophesied about the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. This highlights the importance of prophecy and the idea of a future Messiah in biblical theology.
Enoch is described as "walking with God," implying a close relationship and obedience to divine will. This makes him a model of righteousness and a reminder of the importance of living a godly life.
Enoch, though briefly mentioned in the Bible, is a powerful example of faith and obedience to God. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a close relationship with God, trusting in His sovereignty, and living righteously in a sinful world. By studying the life of Enoch, we can be inspired to follow in his footsteps and seek a deeper connection with God.
Introduction
Enoch, a figure from the Old Testament book of Genesis, is one of the most enigmatic and intriguing figures in the Bible. His life and faith are briefly described in Genesis 5:21-24. Despite the brevity of his mention, Enoch is considered a hero of faith, and his story offers valuable insights into the nature of faith and the power of walking with God.
Scripture Readings:
Hebrews 11:5-6 NIV [5] 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. [6] 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.
Genesis 5:18-24 NIV [18] When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. [19] After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. [20] Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died. [21] When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. [22] After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. [23] Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. [24] Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Key Themes and Insights:
Walking with God: Enoch's most notable characteristic was his intimate relationship with God. "Walking with God" implies a close communion, fellowship, and obedience to God's will. Enoch's life serves as a model for how believers should strive to live in constant fellowship with God.
Supernatural Departure: Enoch's departure from the earth without experiencing death is a unique event in biblical history.
Enoch and Elijah are exceptions of all human beings, including Jesus, in that they went directly into God’s presence without experiencing physical death.
2 Kings 2:11-12 NIV [11] As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. [12] Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
Christians go into God’s presence but only after death.
2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV [8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 and the belief that the Holy Spirit is present with believers all the time are related concepts, but they emphasize different aspects of the Christian experience.
2 Corinthians 5:8 primarily focuses on the hope of eternal life and the desire to be with God after death. Paul expresses a longing to leave his earthly body and be present with the Lord, emphasizing the idea of a future reunion and a more complete experience of God's presence.
The belief that the Holy Spirit is present with believers all the time emphasizes the ongoing spiritual presence of God in the lives of believers. This idea suggests that the Holy Spirit provides guidance, comfort, and strength to Christians in their daily lives, even before their physical death.
While these concepts are connected, they highlight different aspects of the Christian faith:
2 Corinthians 5:8 emphasizes the future hope of eternal life with God.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit emphasizes the present experience of God's presence and guidance.
In essence, both concepts point to the reality of God's presence in the lives of believers, both in the future and in the present.
This suggests that God intervened in his life, taking him directly to heaven. This event highlights the supernatural power and sovereignty of God.
A Witness to the Pre-Flood World:
Enoch lived before the Great Flood, making him a witness to the moral decline and corruption of the pre-flood world.m His life and faith stand as a testament to the importance of righteousness and obedience to God, even in a sinful world.
Enoch was the great grandfather on Noah
Here's a brief overview of the lineage:
Adam: The first man created by God.
Seth: Adam's third son, born after Abel's death.
Enosh: Seth's son.
Kenan: Enosh's son.
Mahalalel: Kenan's son.
Jared: Mahalalel's son.
Enoch: Jared's son, who was translated to heaven.
Methuselah: Enoch's son.
Lamech: Methuselah's son.
Noah: Lamech's son, the patriarch of the flood narrative.
As you can see, Enoch plays a significant role in the biblical genealogy, connecting Adam to Noah and the subsequent generations.
He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus
Luke 3:38 NIV [38] the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
His story encourages believers to strive for a deeper relationship with God and to trust in His promises. Remember in our study of Jude he refers to Enoch as a prophet.
Jude 1:14-15 NIV [14] Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones [15] to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
This verse identifies Enoch as a prophet who predicted the future judgment of God. It further emphasizes his role as a righteous and godly figure who warned against the consequences of sin.
There is some question as to the source of Jude’s quote of Enoch’s prophecy, since there is no mention of Enoch making it in the Bible. However the prophecy is paralleled and supported by other biblical passages:
Matthew 25:31-46 NIV “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Enoch draws a lot of attention because of the mystery surrounding him and the speculation as to how and why God took him. The Bible doesn’t say so. Instead of trying to figure out things that have not yet been revealed we should just follow Enoch’s example of walking faithfully with God and seeking to please him.
A Type of Christ: Some theologians have suggested that Enoch's supernatural departure may be a type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ's ascension to heaven after His resurrection. This connection highlights the continuity of God's plan of salvation throughout history.
Application and Reflection
Cultivating a Close Relationship with God: How can we cultivate a closer relationship with God, as Enoch did? What practical steps can we take to walk with God daily?
Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Enoch's supernatural departure reminds us of God's sovereignty and His power to intervene in our lives. How can we trust in God's sovereignty, even when we don't understand His plans?
Living Righteously in a Sinful World: Enoch's life serves as a reminder of the importance of living righteously, even in a world filled with sin and corruption. How can we strive to live a life that honors God, regardless of our circumstances?
Looking Forward to Eternal Life: Enoch's departure from the earth without experiencing death gives us hope for eternal life. How can we live our lives in anticipation of eternity with God?
Conclusion
Enoch, though briefly mentioned in the Bible, is a powerful example of faith and obedience to God. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a close relationship with God, trusting in His sovereignty, and living righteously in a sinful world. By studying the life of Enoch, we can be inspired to follow in his footsteps and seek a deeper connection with God.
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