(5) 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.

Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser. 

About The Berean | Archives | Random Berean | Subscriptions

  Hebrews 11:5

(5) 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. 
New King James Version   Change your email Bible version

The fact that Paul states Enoch walked with Godsuggests a relationship had been established between them. Enoch had thus already experienced what Abel’s example teaches. Enoch’s example takes us to the next logical step in a faithful person’s movement toward glorification. In his arrangement of examples of faith, Paul is emphasizing, not chronological, but experiential order, that is, faith as experienced in practical life. In a true life of faith, walking with God follows justification.

“Walk” and “walking” are the Bible’s most frequently used metaphors for two related concepts. Depending upon the translation, they are used almost three hundred times to indicate interaction with another and making progress toward a destination. Somewhat related but used to a lesser extent, “walk” or “walking” indicates the passage of time as a person continues in a chosen direction of life and lifestyle. For example:

» Psalm 1:1: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.”

» Proverbs 4:14: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil.”

» Daniel 4:37: “And those who walk in pride He is able to abase.”

» Micah 6:8: “And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

» Psalm 119:45: “And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.”

Scores of similar descriptions are scattered throughout the Bible. They provide a composite picture of the wide variety of the facets of the godly person’s and the evil person’s manners of life. Since Amos 3:3 shows that two cannot walk together unless they agree, a person walking with God illustrates that the two are in agreement. This does not mean the person is perfect, but it does imply God’s acceptance of him at that stage of his life.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
The Christian Fight (Part Four)

Related Topics:
Agreement 
Amos, Book of
Amos, The Prophet
Enoch
Enoch’s Walk with God
Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification
Spiritual Journey
Spiritual Pilgrimage
Walk
Walk as Codeword for Living
Walk in the Law of the Lord
Walk in the Light
Walk the Walk
Walk with God
Walking as a Metaphor for Agreement
Walking by Faith
Walking by Sight 
Walking Metaphor
Walking with Christ
Walking Worthily 
Walking Worthy of Our Vocation

Commentary copyright © 1992-2021  Church of the Great God
New King James Version copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Please cancel my subscription to The Berean

To consistently receive the Berean, please add berean@cgg.org to your Safe Senders list and/or address book. 
   How do I add an email address to my address book?
This daily newsletter was sent to peter.hovis@gmail.com because you signed up at www.theberean.org on Apr 16, 2019.
Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe here.

The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment is made possible through voluntary contributions
to the Church of the Great God.

Church of the Great God
P.O. Box 471846
Charlotte, NC 28247
803-802-7075