Hebrews 11:5
The writer of Hebrews begins chapter 11 with a description of faith. In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” He continues this line of reasoning with the elders being an example of faith in Hebrews 11:2 and then gives some illustrations of men and women of faith in verses 3 and following. Among those examples if the man named Enoch. Hebrews 11:5-6 says, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
There are two different men in the Old Testament named Enoch. One was the son of Cain mentioned in Genesis 4:17. The other is mentioned Genesis 5:18 and is the son of Jared. Twice in Genesis 5:21-24, the Bible says that Enoch walked with God. This is the one that is spoken of in Hebrews 11:5 because the Bible says that God took him in Genesis 5:24. Interestingly, it is noted in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch pleased God. Thus, God rewarded Enoch’s great faith. What things did Enoch do which made him receive the reputation that he walked with God?
Jude 14-15 reveals something about the actions of Enoch: “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’”
Faith is an action word. It is not something that man has in his mind but it is his beliefs put into action (James 1:22). A brief scan of Hebrews 11 shows people who had faith. They had faith because of the actions they put forth in their lives. Enoch was one that had faith because he preached and prophesied God’s message. He walked with God because he preached God’s message. His word were consistent with his actions.
Finally, some great results came about because of Enoch’s faith. The Bible says that he “did not see death” (Hebrews 11:5). Why? Because he had a good testimony. He was a man that preached the word of God. He was a man that lived the word of God. Thus, he was a man that was taken directly from Earth to Heaven. Elijah was a man that was taken directly and thus did not see death (2Kings 2:11). In fact, men search and searched for Elijah’s body but never found it (2Kings 2:16-17). Hebrews 11:5 gives indication that something similar happened to Enoch when it says that he “was not found.” Those who are alive at the second coming of Christ will not see death (1Thessalonians 4:17). Those alive when Christ comes again will be brought up together with the dead. Other than that, all will tastes death (Hebrews 9:27). Because Enoch lived by faith, he received the reward that he would not taste death. While people today will not receive this reward, there are some great lessons to be learned from this man of faith.
While very little is actually revealed about Enoch, what is revealed teaches a lot. Faith is something that is not only believed but it involves action. What is revealed about Enoch is that he was a man of words. He preached and prophesied God’s message. Today, if men are going to live by faith, then their faith will have to be seen in their actions. This is the thrust of Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
These actions exhibited by the faithful person are actions with purpose. Enoch lived in view of eternity. This is the purpose behind his faith and thereby behind his actions. Many people wonder why they are on the earth and what their purpose is in life. The Christian or the person of God does not have to wonder. A life of faith provides a life of purpose and a life with a future. The writer of Ecclesiastes put it well: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Enoch was a man that was taken by God (Genesis 5:24). Christians today can hear similar words at the end of a life of faith. The master in the parable of the talents exclaimed to the men who made good use of the talents entrusted to them: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Obedient faith is rewarded. Enoch was rewarded by not tasting death. Christians today can be rewarded by hearing similar words from the Savior on the day of judgment.
One final point that can be learned from Enoch is the fact that faith is not blind. Enoch did not preach what he felt or what he wanted to preach. He preached God’s message. He did not live like he felt was the right way to live. He lived the way God instructed him to live. Today, faith is no different. Christians today live a faith that is described in Hebrews 11:1. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
-J
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