Enoch was a descendant of Adam, mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews states that “By faith Enoch was taken out of this life, so that he would not experience death: He was found no more, because GOD had taken him away. For before he was taken he was praised as one who pleased GOD.” Enoch was one of only two people in the Bible who were said to have been chosen to escape death, the other being Elijah.
Prophet Enoch was undoubtedly a righteous man, living a life in strict adherence to GOD. Prophet Enoch possessed a righteousness so deep that his Soul was “wrapped up in the instruction of the LORD.” It was not only Enoch’s heart that was pure, but his whole being, His Spirit was connected to GOD.
Not only was Enoch a righteous prophet, but he was also a prudent and wise man. He foresaw trouble and tried to avoid it when necessary.
Enoch
The description we find of this patriarch in the book of Genesis gives us an idea of his extraordinary nature, a man who lived a life of intense communion with GOD and service. His path is still today a precious example for the believers of GOD and his “end” is a splendid representation of the destiny that awaits the children of GOD. Enoch lived sixty-five years and begat Metuselah. Enoch, after generating Metusela, walked with GOD three hundred years and generated sons and daughters. All the time that Enoch lived was three hundred sixty-five years. Enoch walked with GOD, then disappeared, because GOD took him.” (Ge 5:21-24). ”
By faith Enoch therefore was taken away that he might not see death, and they found him no more, for GOD had taken him away.
From the Bible we know that Enoch was Noah’s great-grandfather who lived a holy and faithful life to the LORD. He is also the father of Methuselah, the longest-lived man who ever lived.
The world at the time of Enoch
In the Book of Genesis, the words, “He lived and then he died,” are repeated many times, with one exception, Enoch. in fact, verse 24 says, “And Enoch walked with GOD, then he disappeared because GOD took him.” By the time of Enoch, several hundred years after Abel was killed, we know that evil had greatly spread over the earth. Men had become evil to the point that they openly defied GOD (Jd 15). After a few centuries the now corrupt and violent earth would be ready for judgment (Ge 6:11). But GOD granted Eve another progeny in the person of Seth, in place of the righteous Abel, whom Cain had killed (Ge 4, 25), and in the family of Seth was born Enoch, whose name means “consecrated” in Hebrew.
He walked with GOD
The Bible highlights the fact that he was the seventh exponent of the seventh generation from Adam, and in the Bible every number is not random. From the birth of his son his life changed, and his faith led him to “walk with GOD”, that is, to always have doctrine and righteousness by his side.
The consequence of walking with GOD is to reproduce the Divine character down here and to live the principles of righteousness and justice in our daily lives.
In the LXX version instead of “walked with GOD” we find written that “it pleased GOD”. These two terms are different, but at the same time inseparable, in fact, in Paul’s letter to the Colossians it is said “that you may walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, to please him in all things” (1:10).
Therefore, the greatness of Enoch was also in his humility, because he did not try to go to heaven, but walked with GOD with his feet on the Earth, knowing that he could not do it alone, although his gaze was always fixed on the divine.
Enoch’s testimony
His life remains a very powerful testimony to believers. Often little is said about this man of faith, but his testimony remained eternal. “He walked with GOD” and “It pleased GOD”, there could not be a better testimony and higher mission in life.
From the account in Genesis 5 also, we know that Enoch lived in the days just before Noah, and considering the great sins that surrounded the patriarch Enoch we can imagine how much it meant to GOD, to see that on earth in His creation, there was still good, indeed so much good in one person as to eclipse the evil of a multitude of wicked people.
What an incredible example we have in Enoch, he lived a life in faith, a way of life for him. He walked with GOD, allowing GOD to direct his steps, and because of this he was pleasing to the LORD. It was because of his faith that GOD took Enoch, not letting him know death. He was never found again, for GOD abducted him into heaven (Heb 11:5).
He had lived on earth three hundred and sixty-five years, for three hundred of which he had walked with GOD, and then he disappeared.
He knew that the LORD would come in the midst of his holy myriads, and he believed this so deeply that it constituted a reality for his Soul.
When he disappeared men probably looked for him, as they did later with Elijah, but they did not find him. The World at that time was not interested in him during his life, so it happened for many righteous people, remembering above all the Messiah Jesus.
Conclusion
By faith he truly escaped the fate of men, which is to die. By faith he escaped the imminent judgment that reached the world not long afterwards, he was spared the terrible hour that came upon the whole inhabited earth (Ge 7 and Rev 3:10). His fate is the image of ours, we too will have to face the Judgement, and we must be ready. This does not mean turning our lives upside down, but only improving them and improving ourselves, having faith that things will soon change. Working for good and for peace, so we will walk with GOD, and we will not know death. But can anyone really do this? How does one not die? The answer lies in a righteous life that leads to the resurrection of Souls. This ours will surely be the last of our mortal remains, but not necessarily also of our being. Those who work for good are reborn.
