Genesis 5:19-24
Harry Houdini is considered to be the most famous escape artist in history. He was a Hungarian-American stunt performer and illusionist who gained worldwide recognition for his impressive escape acts in the United States and Europe.
As part of his publicity stunts, Houdini would perform "bridge jumps." In these acts, he would be handcuffed and then jump off a bridge in front of a large number of spectators into a river below. He would then quickly surface to demonstrate how quickly he could escape from the handcuffs and death.
Many people consider Harry Houdini to be the most exceptional escape artist in history. However, on October 31, 1926, Harry could no longer escape death. A few days prior, Harry began running a fever. He ignored the counsel of others to see a doctor and soon died from peritonitis at the age of 52.
Nevertheless, in Genesis 5, we encounter a man who achieved the impossible: he escaped death!
Here, we read one of only a few times Enoch is mentioned in Scripture. Concerning his life, Enoch is only mentioned in three places in Scripture. This mention in Genesis 5 is an extraordinary event. Many have speculated over the years concerning its details. But only the Lord knows.
Enoch was the seventh from Adam, the son of Jared, of the line of Seth, the father of Methuselah, and the great-grandfather of Noah.
Enoch was the first person ever taken by God. The second is Elijah, the prophet. What does it mean to be taken by God? Some believe Enoch and Elijah are still alive somewhere, being kept by God until their ministry as the two witnesses of Tribulation is fulfilled.
Personally, I believe that they were taken and placed in a special holding place found in the heart of the earth. (Luke 16:23) - I think this because "flesh and blood" cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50-58). Also, later, Elijah, a man "taken" like Enoch without dying, met with Jesus and Moses. Elijah and Moses were in a spiritual form, while Jesus was in flesh and blood. This is referred to as the mount of transfiguration. You can read more about this extraordinary event in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, and Luke 9:28–36.
Concerning Enoch, this event in his life is a beautiful type of the church's rapture: God delivered Enoch before the flood as He will deliver the church before Tribulation (1 Corinthians 15:52-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:9).
Enoch's experience has spawned many mythical and mysterious stories that are merely folklore. But as we examine the life of Enoch, even with its brief description, we find the true meaning of why God included it in His holy word.
The three key steps that mark the life of Enoch:
Step 1: Enoch Walked With God, Not The World
To walk with God is to have a steady and progressive relationship with Him, not a casual one. Enoch managed to maintain his relationship with God amidst great wickedness. He likely followed many of the warnings in Scripture given to those who seek God's presence more than anything else.
Warnings like the following:
Psalm 1 - Do not have fellowship with the unrighteous.
Paslm 101:3, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."
Mtt 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth ... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matt 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Col 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Step 2: Enoch Did Not Waver From God
Hebrews 11:5-6 provides more insight into Enoch's relationship with God, stating that "he [Enoch] pleased God." Verse 6 then explains precisely how he pleased God – through his faith. Enoch's unwavering faith secured his future with God.
For 300 years after the birth of his son Methuselah, Enoch walked with God by faith. Methuselah's name means "When he dies, it will come." The meaning of Methuselah's name has led some to speculate that Enoch received a divine vision of the impending judgment on the world.
Regardless, God attests that Enoch had faith in Him and thus pleased Him. To please God, one must walk by faith, not sight, not wavering, but believing in God.
Step 3: Enoch Was a Witness To The Ungoldy For God
In Jude 1:14-21, Enoch is referred to as a prophet of God. This signifies that he was a preacher who testified to the truth about God. Enoch was vocal about God's message and did not keep it to himself.
He spoke out against the godlessness of his generation, as mentioned in Jude 1:14-15. The word ungodly is mentioned four times in this passage to describe the people's behavior and deeds. They were ungodly in their actions; they were ungodly in the way they carried out their deeds and also in their blasphemy against God.
Enoch stood in a time of ungodly conflict. He did not fall prey to the culture or trends. He retained sight of His Creator and the importance of knowing Him and living for Him. Enoch walked with God without wavering and remained a faithful witness to the world around him.
O Lord, help us to do the same for our generation!
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