He Pleased

Not much is known about Enoch and there are very few verses in our Bible relating to his life, nine in all. Six in the Old Testament and three in the New. Six of these deal with his genealogy, which only leaves three..…! Fortunately, the Book of Jasher throws a bit more light on the subject, so let us take a look at the life of Enoch, and his relevance today.

Before we do let us first consider that the name “Enoch”, in Strong’s is reference 2585, Khan-oke and given as “initiated”. This is from 2596; Khaw-nak (prim root) meaning to initiate, discipline, dedicate and train up. This seems a good indication as to the life of this interesting and spiritual man. Genesis 5:24 tells us; “And Enoch walked with God and he was not; for God took him.” Very few get to walk with God. Adam did, of course – in the Garden of Eden, but we should remember it is not we who choose to walk with God – rather He us! (“You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you.” John 15:16). So Enoch pleased God – and God called him, chose him, and ordained him, and then – he was not! Seemingly he was not found any more. We are told that by faith, he was translated and not found. The word ‘translated’ is not a religious connotation, it means to put or place elsewhere. A kind of transportation or movement from one place to another. This word is only used in one other verse, and that is in Colossians 1:13 in which we read; “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.” We are not told where Enoch was translated to, but only …”that he would not see death”. Rather an enigma when Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is “appointed unto men once to die and after that, the judgement.” However, it doesn’t say all men, (at least not in my King James AV), so the implication suggests there may be the rare exception, after all Elijah was similarly ‘removed’. In the Book of Jasher, there are over 30 verses concerning Enoch, and we read (in Chapter 31); “And Enoch walked with God after having begot Methuselah, and he served the Lord, and despised the evil ways of men.” 2 Peter 2:7 tells us that Lot similarly, was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked – being righteous in not only serving and obeying God, but also despairing of the evil ways of men. And are we not likewise just as vexed, especially in today’s evil world – especially as we are helpless to do anything about it? Continuing to read in Jasher concerning Enoch, we learn that … “And the soul of Enoch was wrapped up in the instruction of the Lord, in knowledge and in understanding: and he wisely retired from the sons of men ….. for many days.” While so doing he was visited by an angel of the Lord who told him to go and teach the sons of men of the ways of God. This he did and seems to have been well received. Later, in the year of the death of Adam, Enoch once again sought to retire, and to serve the Lord – but not entirely. He divided his time, being mostly apart from the world. This he did for many years… “and after that once a month, and then once a year, until all the kings, princes and sons of men sought for him and desired again to see the face of Enoch, and to hear his word; ….. but they could not as all the sons of men were greatly afraid of Enoch, and they feared to approach him on account of the God-like awe seated upon his countenance…”. This God-like awe reminds us of Moses, who, after spending time in the Lord’s Presence upon the Mount, had a similar appearance, and had to wear a veil before speaking to the Children of Israel. Likewise, at the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, where “His Face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” As a matter of interest, the reference for “Transfiguration” in Strong’s is linked to another attached to the Greek meaning of “Translated”. “And at that time the sons of men were with Enoch, and Enoch was speaking to them, and they lifted up their eyes and the likeness of a great horse descended from heaven, and the horse paced the air: And they told Enoch … and Enoch said to them, on my account does this horse descend upon earth; the time is come when I must go from you …. And the horse descended at that time and stood before Enoch …” I would imagine that this great spiritual horse coming for Enoch, would be to all extents and purposes, the equivalent of a ‘white’ horse. It certainly puts one in mind of the White Cavalry vision from the 1st World War, and our legends consider white horses are special, with St George pictured riding one. Arthur rode one. In Wiltshire (England), we have the Vale of the White Horse, where several are etched into the hillsides, one being far older than the rest – and not far from Wantage, the birth place of another great English king – Alfred. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called ‘Faithful and True’ and in Righteousness He doth Judge and make War…” (Rev 19 v 11). This of course depicts the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Another aspect of Enoch’s ministry takes us to the New Testament where the book of Jude, consisting of only one chapter, speaks of Enoch. Verse 14 tells us he was; “Also 7th from Adam …” (Seven being the number of perfection – and only here, is this recorded in the Bible), and that he; “prophesied of ‘these’…”. What are ‘these’ sayings? Most surely Jude had been referring to them in verses 5 up to 19. Jude tells us in verse 16; “These were murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage” – and of such did Enoch speak and despise.” Verses 14 and 15 tell us of the Lord’s coming to execute judgement. Thus Jude, in this last book before Revelation, pronounces judgement on the evildoers – as per Enoch. Elijah’s mission in contrast being to turn the hearts of the people back to God. (A separation of the sheep from the goats?). So Enoch’s message to us all today is surely that we must despise the evil ways of men, and rather walk in God’s – turning our, and other’s hearts back to God indeed, having Faith and Trust, and Belief in Him. In so doing, may we also be pleasing to Him. Amen.