ENOCH – FIRST MAN WHO DIDN’T DIE
Scriptures: Gen 5:18-23; Luke 3:37; Heb 11 :5; Jude 14
INTRODUCTION: There are two Enochs in the Bible. The first is the eldest son of Cain. The subject of today’s lesson, however, is the son of JARED (a descendant of Seth) and the father of Methuselah. In some six verses, the Bible sets forth the brief biography of this Old Testament saint–but what a biography about a most unusual man! Few even come close to this mysterious man. We know nothing of Enoch’s rank or profession, but two outstanding things about him are his holy life on earth and his amazing, supernatural exit from earth.
1. ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD. Twice in our Genesis passage this important truth is stated (Gen 5:22 & 24). The wicked are “without God,” and, therefore, the first prerequisite for a walk with God is to know Him as Savior. (“Can two walk together except they agree?” Amos 3:3) Although born a child of wrath as are all the sons of Adam, Enoch became a child of grace and was brought into personal fellowship with God. Therefore, Enoch was at peace with God in those terrible, turbulent days before the flood!
2. ENOCH ENJOYED CLOSE COMMUNION WITH GOD. The repeated phrase, “walked with God,” implies a real union of Enoch’s heart with the great heart of God! What sweet hours of holy and happy contact God and Enoch must have had as they communed with each other. Enoch’s fellowship with God must have been the nearest possible thing to that of Adam and Eve before the fall! (Teacher, you might want to share words from one or more of these songs with your class: “Just a Closer Walk,” “In the Garden,” “Nothing Between.”) There was never a cloud on their fellowship, but always “Son-shine.” God was a pleasure to Enoch, and Enoch pleased God in all that he did (Heb 11 :5). This is the relationship God desires to have with every believer. What is your present relationship with God like? Do you have close communion with Him?
3. ENOCH WAS SEPARATED FROM THE WORLD. This seventh man from Adam did not walk in the way of the sinners of his corrupt age. Both his char-acter and his conduct were a distinct rebuke to the godless worldlings around him. (See Eph 5:11) Jude tells us that Enoch functioned as a prophet, declaring God’s just judgment upon the wickedness of his time. Such separation from the world is both a prerequisite and a continuing condition to the sweet, intimate, unbroken fellowship Enoch enjoyed with his God. (Briefly discuss with the class some of the practical aspects of separation in today’s evil world.)
4. ENOCH’S LIFE WAS ONE OF PROGRESS. Walking with God implies a steady progress in Enoch’s course (his “race” if you will– see Heb 12:1; 2 Tim 4:7). Enoch did not walk for a while and then stand still. Each day found him nearer the divine goal. In unbroken companionship with his Friend, Enoch found himself progressively more weaned from the world and more ripe for Heaven! He did not attempt to walk alone to Heaven; rather, he walked with God, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on his heavenly Companion. (Consider Peter’s walk on the water. What mistake did he make that Enoch avoided?) Is your life one of progress in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you steadily becoming more like the Master? Or is your life’s spiritual progress more like a roller coaster?
5. ENOCH HAD A SUPERNATURAL AND GLORIOUS EXIT FROM THIS EARTH. He is the only one of Adam’s line of whom it is not said that “he died.” Rather, “he was not, for God took him.” “He was not” suggests that his friends and perhaps his family sought for him, but he was a missing person they could not trace. “God took him” means that he was translated and, therefore, did not taste death. Among the billions of men who have lived, only two never died! Someone has suggested that God and Enoch were in the habit of taking a long walk together every day. One day when they had walked quite a ways farther than usual, God said to Enoch, “Why not come on home with Me? It’s closer to My House than it is back to yours.” Isn’t that sweet?! So, at 365 years of age (one year for every day of the year) God took His servant directly to Heaven.
LESSONS From ENOCH’S LIFE:
1. God wants to have close communion and fellowship with His children.
2. Separation from the world is a must for walking with God.
3. Our Christian walk ought to be continuous and progressive.