A Unique Transformation: What We Know of Enoch
Shortly after reading the record of creation, the origination of sin, and the first murder, we see that there was a distinction made by God in the descendents of Adam. Moses records a genealogy of Cain and of Seth. In fact, when we arrive at Genesis 6:2, the descendents of these two brothers are labeled as the sons of God and daughters of men. These designations were given to the descendents of Seth and Cain respectively. As we read the genealogy of Seth in Genesis chapter 5, we reach a name that receives a more detailed description than the others.
Enoch, the son of Jared, was seven generations removed from the father of his lineage, Seth. In chapter 5, the descendents of Seth (the Sethites) are called “sons of God.” As we read through the genealogy of the Sethites, Moses (the most probable author of Genesis) makes a point to tell us more about Enoch than just his name, eldest son, and age of death. A good reason for this is probably the fact that Enoch had a closer relationship with God than others and he did not experience physical death.
We know, based on previously mentioned geographical information, that Enoch lived in the ancient fertile crescent. Although the exact location is not given in scripture, we know this location to be within a reasonable distance from the garden of Eden. The ancient fertile crescent was in Mesopotamia, which extended from the Nile River, along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, east of the Tigris river, and down to the Persian Gulf. This area covers between 5,800 and 7,700 square miles, so there is no way for us to know the precise location of Enoch’s home.
We are given little information about Enoch in this genealogical record, but what we are told is certainly an indication of his character and commitment to following God. In Genesis 5:24, we read that Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. After Seth’s son Enosh was born, we are told that men began to call on the name of the Lord (Gen. 4:26). The Sethites were described as the sons of God, but only Enoch and his great-grandson Noah were emphasized as ones who walked with God. We know that in order to walk with God, we have to have faith in His supreme authority, His power in all things, and we must obey His commands. Enoch must have been second to none among those who were dwelling on the Earth when it came to His faith in God.
We learn from his mentions in the New Testament, that his faith was admired and greatly respected. The Hebrew writer included him in what many call the faith hall of fame. “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” (Heb 11:5). God inspired the Hebrew writer to reference this Old Testament character to show an example of a man who, by active faith and striving to do His will, pleased Him. We also have an example in Jude’s letter to all Christians about Enoch’s relationship with God. Jude writes, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 14-15)
This quote is not recorded in the Old Testament, but we know that this is an exact quote from Enoch himself, because Jude was inspired by the Holy Spirit to record these words. It is possible that the Jews were aware of this quote based on oral tradition, but we cannot find this quotation in the inspired writings of the Old Testament. Many liberal commentators have suggested that Jude was quoting from a book the Jews had written during the intertestamental period (a time in which God was silent), but proper hermeneutics demands a different exegesis. It is more likely that 1 Enoch 1:9 (extra-Biblical Apocryphal literature) is quoting the words that generations of Jews had spoken by oral tradition. If we look at Jude 14-15 and 1 Enoch 1:9 side by side, we see many differences, but we can be confident that the inspired writings of Jude record the exact words spoken by Enoch, rather than the words written by a man during the four hundred year period in which God was silent. Jude’s purpose in quoting this was to warn the ungodly of God’s judgment to come. The purpose of Enoch’s prophecy was primarily about the coming judgement waters of God and Jude tells us that it was symbolic of judgement to come. (Smith, 2018)
We also learn from Genesis 5:24 that Enoch was translated from mortal to immortal body without passing through physical death. Death is something that every human being will inevitably experience. Children of God dread death, not because they lack faith in the promises of God, but the unknown means by which death will occur brings fear to the heart. Enoch probably thought about death from time to time, but God didn't see it fit for Enoch to experience death. He lived on the Earth for 365 years and was “taken up” by God into heaven. He was so committed to maintaining a close walk with God, that he was spared from the experience of physical death. What happened to Enoch is what will happen to those who have come into contact with the blood of Jesus, who are still on the Earth at the time He returns. The saints will be transformed in a twinkling of an eye into their immortal bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Summing up Enoch’s life in just a few sentences might not seem to do him justice, but the most important thing that could be said about any person was said about him. “He walked with God.” Enoch’s Godly life and choices were certainly influenced by those sons of God who lived before him and his choices influenced those generations who followed. His great-grandson Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, whose faith saved his family and the human race from total annihilation. The few words describing Enoch’s life are appropriate, and testify to his lasting legacy. If someone were tasked with etching, into our memorial stones, a few words to describe our lives, wouldn't it be wonderful to be remembered as one who walked with God?
- Eric Bullock, Evangelist
Works Cited
Mark, J. J. (2022, January 10). Fertile Crescent. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Fertile_Crescent/
Gill, N. (2020, October 16). The Fertile Crescent and Its Importance in Ancient Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/fertile-crescent-117266
Smith, J. E. (2018). Epistles of Peter & Jude Revisited. Morrisville, NC: Lulu.com.
Smith, J. E. (2001). The Pentateuch. Joplin, MO: College Press.
