Walking Like Enoch

A while back, when we were church planters, there was a Sunday where we canceled our  worship service due to a snow storm that rolled in early in the morning. I don't think the storm was as bad as the weather guys were predicting, but the mix of snow and rain made for some really slick roads. So we erred on the side of caution and made the call to cancel. I share that because the cancellation opened up an opportunity for us do spend the morning together, talking around the breakfast table. Before hand, while the kids were still in bed, I was telling Amy a little about what I had planned to teach. I shared about Enoch, and the amazing event that happened to him. Amy thought we should try to talk about it with the kids.

So here is what the Bible says about Enoch.

Genesis 5:18-23 esv
18 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.

21 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.

Now if we were to read this at face value, what we find is that after Enoch and his wife give birth to their son Methuselah, Enoch begins his walk with God. Now we don't know the specific details about what Enoch's life looked like before his sons birth, or why the birth caused such a huge change in his life. We only know that now, Enoch was walking with God. The verses go on to say that from that point on, Enoch walked with God till he was no more.

One of the resources I read while prepping for my sermon shared a really simple, yet powerfully thoughtful story. The story was about a girl, who following her Sunday school class, told her mom that they had learned about Enoch. She said, "God would come to Enoch every day and ask Enoch to go for a walk with him. Enoch would say yes, and follow side by side with God. After awhile, Enoch so enjoyed his time with God that he would wait by the gate of his house for God to come. Day after day, Enoch looked forward to walking with God. Till one day, while on a specially long walk, Enoch noticed it was getting late, so he said to God that he'd better get back home. But God turned to Enoch and said, 'Enoch, you are closer to my home than you are to your home. Why not come home with me.' And that is what Enoch did." [Story from J. Vernen McGee's book, Genesis Chapters 1-15. Paraphrase is mine.]

Think about that for a moment. Can you say that your walk with God looks anything like Enoch? I mean, do you look forward to spending time with God? If God were to come by your house in the morning to walk with you, would you be at the gate anxiously waiting? Would God say that your heart was closer to His home than your worldly home?
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It's a pretty powerful picture that the writer of Genesis gives in including Enoch and his faithful walk with His Creator. As God's children, we should be looking forward to spending time daily with the Father. I think the reason the story of Enoch is included in Genesis 5, is to encourage us to live in the same way.

Walk with God. Till He comes and walks you home.

- jay

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​Jay Higham is a 25 year veteran of student ministry; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Youth Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 little girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, and consultant. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and sharing with other youth workers. You can learn more about their ministry to the family by visiting their family blog at, www.TheHighamFamily.com!