It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:5-6
Some of the best conversations take place on walks. Going on a walk with a friend or family member is a great way to learn more about that person and have a deeper relationship with him or her. Sometimes a walk is a good time to have difficult conversations. Other times during a walk, plans are made for the future. Walks can be extremely valuable for us.
Genesis 5:24 tells us something interesting about Enoch. He "walked in close fellowship with God." Genesis 5 gives a history of Adam's descendants beginning with Adam (the first person ever created) and ending with a man named Noah. The story of each family member listed ends with a record of how old each person was when they died. This pattern remains consistent until Enoch's story. When a break in a pattern occurs in the Bible, this means that it is a time for us to really pay attention. When we read Enoch's story in Genesis 5:24, we learn that he did not die! Instead, he "walked in close fellowship with God" until "he disappeared, because God took him." God was so pleased with Enoch that one day, God decided to bring him to Himself without dying.
Hebrews 11:5 gives us more insight into Enoch's story. Hebrews 11 describes Enoch as a man of faith. He demonstrated this faith by walking with God. Hebrews 11:5 reminds us that because of his faith, he pleased God.
Have you ever thought about what it looked like for Enoch to walk with God? I do not think it meant that they simply went on walks together every evening. I think it meant that God was an intricate part of Enoch's life and that Enoch trusted God with his life. In other words, Enoch demonstrated courageous faith. Enoch provides us with a characteristic of faith: walking with God. When one walks with God, he or she demonstrates trust in God. That person actively chooses to walk with God rather than the things of the world because he or she trusts Him. When we are walking with God, there is no reason to fear because God is with us, even when God asks us to do hard things.
What about you? If someone were to describe your life, would he or she describe you as one who faithfully walks with God? Is God intricately involved in your life? Are you walking with Him instead of the things of this world? As you think about Enoch's story, what would it look like for you to courageously and faithfully walk with God? Would it look like spending less time on social media and more time in prayer and Bible reading, joining a small group, or memorizing Bible verses? Think of one way you can walk more closely with God and commit to faithfully walking with Him every day this week. Remember, walking with God means that you do not have to fear because God is with you!
This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself. He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.”
When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth. After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.
When Seth was 105 years old, he became the father of Enosh. After the birth of Enosh, Seth lived another 807 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.
When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the father of Kenan. After the birth of Kenan, Enosh lived another 815 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.
When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel. After the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.
When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared. After the birth of Jared, Mahalalel lived another 830 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.
When Jared was 162 years old, he became the father of Enoch. After the birth of Enoch, Jared lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.
When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.
When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech. After the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.
When Lamech was 182 years old, he became the father of a son. Lamech named his son Noah, for he said, “May he bring us relief from our work and the painful labor of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed.” After the birth of Noah, Lamech lived another 595 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
