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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 21

"…he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Hebrews 11:5

Text: Genesis 5:1-32

ENOCH – AN OUTSTANDING MAN OF FAITH

Little was said about the list of people who were the forebears of Enoch. Their names were recorded and the age at which they died. Not much may be gleaned from looking at the list of names presented. No foul or evil deeds were attached to their names though, and it may be presumed that they lived a normal and long life. No one really stood out either!

Suddenly out of the blues, we are introduced to a man called Enoch. This text stands out in the chapter, as it was meant to do.

“Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah.
after he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God
three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.
So all the days of Enoch were three hundred
and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God;
and he was not, for God took him.”

GENESIS 5:21-24

“Enoch walked with God”

This phrase was repeated twice! His walk with God was sustained most consistently. He began that walk with God at sixty-five and sustained it well for the next three hundred years! In terms of length of time, Enoch did not have as long a life as his ancestors! However, none of them ever had this distinction of walking with God attached to them either!

“And he was not, for God took him.”

Enoch’s life was so outstanding that he was mentioned in the book of Hebrews. The author had this to say about him.

“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.”

HEBREWS 11:5

The only other person who demonstrated a genuine and vibrant faith in God was Abel, but his life was terminated prematurely, unfortunately. No one else appeared to have won this distinction of pleasing God until Enoch came on the scene.


THE OBVIOUS CHALLENGE

Again, we are indebted to the author of the book of Hebrews as he made this application of the significance of Enoch’s life.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him,
for he who comes to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

HEBREWS 11:6

It is possible to have a consistent and outstanding walk of faith! Attempt it!