By Faith Enoch Was Commended As One Who Pleased God (Hebrews 11:5)
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God” ( Hebrews 11:5 )
Enoch is one of the most interesting records found in the Bible. Four short verses in Genesis describe his life. What makes it unique is that he is one of two men who didn’t experience death. Instead God translated him to where He was because Enoch had a faith report that he pleased God.
According to the account found in Genesis, Enoch had a legacy of walking in close fellowship with God for three hundred years ( Genesis 5:22 ). The Amplified Bible describes this relationship as habitual fellowship ( Genesis 5:24 ). This means that they enjoyed intimacy and a fellowship that pleased and satisfied both God and man. From this relationship, Enoch for all time, has this testimony given by God that he pleased him. What marvelous faith Enoch had.
When I think about him being translated from this earth without experiencing death, I am reminded that God does the same thing with us. Colossians says, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” ( Colossians 1:13 ). The King James Bible says it this way, “He hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son” ( Colossians 1:13 KJV ).
The amazing thing that we can take away is that through Jesus, we like Enoch, experienced translation from death at the moment of salvation and were forever united with God. This of course takes place on a spiritual level; we are moved from the kingdom of darkness under the shadow of death and into the kingdom of Jesus, given eternal life. This comes by faith and just as Enoch received a testimony that he pleased God, we too, by faith can obtain that very same report.
There is a great lesson to be learned from Enoch. The faith of Enoch made it into the Faith Hall of Fame for a reason. His faith pleased God obtaining a good report recorded for all future generations to have this example. This report came by habitual fellowship with His creator and walking with Him all the days of His life until he was no more because God had taken him home.