40 Days of Faith: Day 4

Hebrews 11:5-6 – By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

When it comes to understanding that faith is central in pleasing God with our lives, the writer of Hebrews connects us to a man named Enoch. If you are reading the Old Testament, the first Enoch you will see is Adam’s grandson, Cain’s son, Enoch. But this is not the one that is mentioned in Hebrews 11.

The man named Enoch mentioned in Hebrews 11 was, “The great-grandfather of Noah and the seventh generation directly descended from Adam.”  He was, “the first character in the Bible to be assumed into God’s dwelling place without having died first.”[1]

We don’t know a lot about this man Enoch, but what we can know, we can apply to our own lives.

Genesis 5:18-24 says this of Enoch:
When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

Genesis chapter five is a genealogy from Adam to Noah. As you read it, it almost has a formula in how the writer lays it out. In essences there is:

• Person A…they lived this long, then had this son (Person B) … after this son, they lived 600 years. “And he died.”
• Person B…they were born to Person A…they lived this long, then had this son (Person C) … after this son, they lived 800 years. “And he died.”
• Person C … “And he died.”

This continues for generations. But right in the middle of this genealogy the formula is interrupted. It is here that the writer of Genesis says, “Enoch walked with God (v. 23).” Then again, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him (v. 24).”

The Hebrew word that is translated, “walked,” means, “to use one’s feet to advance; advance by steps.”[2] That’s pretty basic, I know. But let’s not lose the simplicity of what it is to walk with God. This is how the believer advances in their life. We are to move forward with the Lord.
 
 Notice also, that Enoch walked with God after his son Methuselah was born, and for a total of 300 years. This distinction of walking with God after the birth of his son is an interesting one. Maybe Enoch was overwhelmed by being a parent, and he decided he needed help. I’m not sure, but I love this distinction.

 What is also sweet here is that we see that Enoch walked and kept walking with God for 300 years. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, uses the word, “pleased” to describe Enoch’s walk with God. It says, “Enoch pleased God.”

 Could it be that Enoch, wanting to walk with God, is what pleased God? Could it be that Enoch wanting God to help him advance along life’s way, as a father, a husband, and a leader of his home, is what was so pleasing to God?

 Isn’t this faith – knowing that you need help to advance and knowing that God is willing to help you move forward?

 Now, notice Hebrews 11:6 once more. It says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

 What are the elements of this faith that pleases God? Do you see them?

 I see that you first, must believe that God exists, and second, he rewards those who seek him.

 Enoch walked with God. Enoch pleased God, and he did this by believing God exists and by seeking him, so intentionally and consistently, that God rewarded him in an extravagant way – he didn’t taste death.

 How is your walk? Are you trying to advance on your own, or are you seeking God’s help? He is a God who is pleased when you look for him and to him. When you do, you never know how he will reward you!

 Enoch’s story is simple yet powerful—he walked with God, and that walk pleased the Lord. He didn’t perform mighty miracles, write great books, or lead armies into battle. His legacy was his daily, steady companionship with God. And that was enough for God to commend him. The same is true for us. Faith that pleases God isn’t about perfection or performance; it’s about believing that He is real and drawing near to Him day by day. Today, take a step closer. Spend time in prayer, open His Word, or simply acknowledge His presence in your daily routine. Remember: every step of faith you take brings joy to the heart of your Father.

 Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that You are pleased when I walk with You in faith. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to advance on my own strength or ignored Your presence in my daily life. Teach me to seek You diligently, to believe in Your goodness, and to trust that You reward those who walk with You. Help me to please You not just in great moments, but in every step I take today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
   [1] Neal, D. A. (2016). Enoch. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
[2] Logos Bible Software, Logos Bible Sense Lexicon, “walk.”