Genesis 5:1-32 – Enoch – Part i –

Enoch

Part i

Genesis 5:1-32

ENOCH- Genesis 5:21-24

And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: (Genesis 5:21)

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:22)

And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (Genesis 5:23)

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Genesis 5:24)

   Enoch — Dedicated. Enoch’s name means ‘dedicated’ and there is another root meaning to this name, teacher and/or trainer. In this article I will be dealing with his name as Dedicated. Every time that Dedicated heard his name, he was reminded that in being ‘dedicated’ he was set apart. Why set apart? Group settings (even religious groups) often involve too many voices, and thus, it becomes a threat to your main focus: to know more about God. Too many voices lead to too many directions, too many paths, and too many opinions. Being set apart for God is a good thing, but it will cost you! What will it cost you? That’s an easy one, it will cost you friends, and most probably family (even religious people do not like to be around anyone who is focused on the desire to know more about God). Dedication demands discipline, but dedication to God requires much more than discipline. To dedicate yourself to the service of God, and to be used of God and by God requires that first you must love God; and to love God is to obey God.

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:29-30)

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. (Luke 10:27)

   No one is born with an innate love for God. (I can hear the cries of, But the babies, those wee little babies!) No one is born with a love for God not even the wee little babies. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) What a verse: look at the process, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is. First there is belief in God (that God exists, that God is there, and God is real) then the approach to God, cometh to God, and here is the connection: faith. Faith is the main key to please God. Now we could go off on a tangent of what is faith, and how does one acquire faith, but there are enough articles on all our sites to direct you in faith. I want to stay on the subject at hand: Enoch.

   When we are introduced to Enoch God does not give us any more background of the man Enoch than what we have already seen. The Holy Spirit of God gives us his age of 65 when he begat Methuselah (the oldest man recorded in history). Enoch specifically walked with God for 300 years after the birth of Methuselah, and that Enoch had other sons and daughters. Dedicated lived for a total of 365 years on earth.

And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: (Genesis 5:21)

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:22)

And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (Genesis 5:23)

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Genesis 5:24)

Enoch – Dedicated – The 7th from Adam

   What saith Scripture about Enoch? This Enoch is mentioned 3 times in the New Testament, and six times in the Old Testament. Remember that the number 6 is the number of man in man’s fullness. What do I mean by ‘fullness’? Man without restrictions, man without any limitations placed on him by law, by government, by self-discipline, mankind unbridled to act out every perversion and evil imagination that he can possibly think or commit without any restrictions or judgment against him. This is what the natural man desires above all, to be set free from law, from government, from any authority (moral or immoral), and set free from the judgment of God. How fitting that this Enoch is mentioned six times in the Old Testament, for it ties in with the destruction of the old world because mankind had acted on the fullness of depravity. Although this Enoch (of the godly line) is mentioned 6 times in the Old Testament he is also interestingly numbered by God as being the 7th from Adam. (Jude 1:14) Six and seven tied together to show two sides: one side of that which is human, and the other side of that which is spiritual. Six and seven in the name of this Enoch: a contrast and a combination in one individual. He was living in an age of complete apostasy. God was not given His rightful place as Creator and Sovereign in the lives of His creation. Enoch was a righteous man of God surrounded by things opposed to God, here is the 6 and 7 in Enoch. He is the 7th from Adam, this Enoch represented the goodness of God, the complete perfection of the Godhead not only in His mercy, but in His totality. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18:23) Yes, even in the old-world order humanity arrogantly thrived in their ‘fullness,’ and yet, God kept back His hand of judgment from striking against their fullness of evil.

   There is a very interesting detail that I need to bring up at this point concerning the numbers in the name of Enoch.

Side Note: To remind you there were two men named Enoch: the son of Cain, and the other from the line of Seth. Seth was the son that was born to replace the brother that Cain had murdered, Abel. Two men from two different seed lines: a godly seed and an evil seed, both with the name of ‘Dedicated.’ I suggest that you first read about Enoch, Cain’s son. ♦ End of Side Note.

   There were two men named Enoch, the Enoch of the line of Cain is mentioned 3 times in the Old Testament. The number three is primarily connected with the perfection and completeness of the Godhead, however, there is also the thought that within each number there lies a contrasting element. (A reminder that in our numbering system there are two sides to the same number: there is a positive number, and a number to the negative side. Even in this we see a spiritual connection. Satan is the great counterfeiter; he attempts to make a copy of the original, a close replica works for him. We see this in the numbers in the negative side of our math system: same number as in the positive side but without the same meaning, and without the same power and truth.) We see this here with the Enoch of Cain. In the number of his name being mentioned three times in the Old Testament we understand that man is solidly and completely opposed to God. The natural man (the line of Cain out of Adam) is entirely and totally consumed by sin. Sin dwells in man, within his DNA is the string of sin. He cannot escape from sin, he cannot reform himself, sin is man, and man is sin; herein is the number 3 working within mankind: the world, the flesh and the devil: the three points of opposition against God.

    Now to the interesting number: the number 9. Where did this number come from in our scripture section? When you combine the 3 mentions of the name of the son of Cain (Enoch), and the 6 times that the name of Enoch of the line of Seth is mentioned you have 3+6 = 9. Drum roll please . . . . 9 the digit of finality. The end. And so it was, the end of the old-world order. All this revealed through the mention of one name, although two men, for a total of nine times in the Old Testament.

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5)

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (2 Peter 3:3-6)

   Isn’t it interesting how the Spirit of God through numbers draws spiritual principles to teach us about what lies within man (the natural), and what lies within the spiritual creation of God, the children of God, born by the Spirit of God.

   The next point that we should consider is that Enoch (from the godly line) is mentioned 3 times in the New Testament. What will the Holy Spirit of God reveal to us about Dedicated.

Enoch — Building to the Royal Line of Christ

   Which was [the son] of Mathusala, which was [the son] of Enoch, which was [the son] of Jared, which was [the son] of Maleleel, which was [the son] of Cainan, (Luke 3:37) This list of names in Luke Chapter 3 is from the ancestry of Joseph (the husband of Mary); Joseph’s ancestry goes directly back through Nathan (the son of king David) which ties Joseph to the kingly line from David.

Enoch — Building to the Line of Faith — Eternal Life

   By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5) This verse draws us back to our verse in Genesis 5:24, And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Notice that the form of the word ‘translation’ appears 3 times. God just loves giving us these little notations in His word. Also, note this: he had this testimony, that he pleased God. And again, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) God drew Enoch to Himself by faith; faith drew Enoch to God, and faith kept Enoch with God.

Enoch — Building from the 7th — Judgment to Come

    And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 1:14) The last mention of this Enoch enriches us with an abundance of insight and blessings. First, Enoch was the 7th from Adam. God the Holy Spirit places a spotlight on this number, the number 7. Why number 7 here in Jude 1:14 and with Enoch? The number seven is the number of God’s completeness, nothing can be added to the Godhead bodily. There are not enough words to describe the number 7 as it relates to the Godhead. But as this is the last mention, and the story of Enoch completed in Jude 1:14, it is very appropriate that God draws the 7 here in Jude: this book that is a summary of the completeness of mankind in all his evil through humanity’s earthly history. Before we go on to the next book, The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we are given a full account in the briefest manner of the history of mankind in his fullness of evil (the number 6) in the Book of Jude. Truly, how appropriate that God closes the story of this Enoch out by emphasizing His number 7 and prepares our thoughts concerning the historical events that engulfed humanity before we approach the book of Revelation, the book of the end of the current world order, and the book of the eternal state.

   In the three mentions of Enoch in the New Testament we see that: 1, the Lord Jesus Christ was the promised seed out of the line of Seth; 2, Enoch never faced or passed through the agonies of earthly death but was translated in a twinkling of an eye. Enoch was the evidence of the promise to all children of God that eternal life was ahead for them. Whether through earthly death or translation, we, the children of God, would live, and be forever with the Lord of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ; 3) Enoch not only prophesied about the approaching judgment, but he proclaimed the surety of Christ’s return to earth with His saints. Enoch, Dedicated, spanned time from the Old Testament in the old world to the New Testament (the revealing of grace and truth by Jesus Christ) past the age of grace back into the eternal state.

    This is what God declared about Enoch: he had this testimony, that he pleased God. The man called Dedicated pleased God and God took him away from the approaching judgment.

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. (Psalm 34:15)

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come]. (Isaiah 57:1)

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)

     Are we through with Enoch (Dedicated)? not by a long shot! Buckle up. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: (Genesis 5:21) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:22) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (Genesis 5:23) And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Genesis 5:24)

   Notice anything that sticks out in Genesis, Chapter 5? All the ages are extraordinary except for Enoch. We are more able to identify with a person of a younger age than one of an exceptional age of 969. Also, the numbers associated with Dedicated is closer to our own understanding of time as we relate 365 to our calendar. I am not going to even attempt to delve into time and the number 365, but to just simply state that when we first see this number in Genesis 5:22 we almost automatically see ‘time.’ We are so closely connected to this number (365) that time is the main thought. There is surely a great and important spiritual principle connected to this particular time period in the life of Enoch because we see other spiritual associations within the time frame of the other men listed in Chapter 5 of Genesis. But and I say, BUT I am not there yet! I can think about it, and I can muse over it, but I also know not to become obsessed by this interesting point. The point, however, that I find extremely engaging is what occurred after the birth of Enoch’s son Methuselah. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah, it was at Methuselah’s birth that Enoch began his walk with God. He named his son Methuselah, ‘they died,’ and/or, ‘he dies, there is a sending forth.’ A name that pictured a coming sure judgment where all perished, except 8 souls. Wow — now who would want to have this name? But more about this when we actually get to write about Methuselah. Let’s remain with our main man, Enoch. He had to know about the judgment to come because God called him a prophet. Too often we think of a prophet as someone who only foretells the future, but that is a very limited definition because a prophet is much more. A prophet is one who explains, one who speaks the words of God not only as it relates to the future, but also as it relates to the present and the past. A prophet is an agent or ambassador of God to communicate the words of God to a people needing to hear the words and message of God. God revealed to Dedicated what lay ahead for not only his world, but what was to happen at the close of the next world order. This knowledge of what was about to happen to his world certainly would draw one closer to God. But, you see, you also have this very same knowledge of what is about to happen to your world.

   It should not be a strange thing that God would communicate to His creation His purpose, His plan, His beginnings, and His endings. God did not create such a massive universe without a plan. You do not live in an accident waiting for an accident to happen. (The theory of evolution is the theory of chance and/or accident). Mankind builds in stages: from the bottom up. God builds from top to bottom: God built in stages: the heavens (the realm of God, angels, cherubim, the watchers, the heavenly sanctuary) then the universe (the seen and the unseen, the known and the unknown) finally the earth (that would also include, of course, our solar system and the universe (as we now know it). God does not tell us about the time elements involved because time was not an immediate issue, time and space is where men live it is the realm designed especially for mankind. Time and space were set for the perfect environment for His creatures to enjoy and thrive. All builders prepare plans. All designers formulate a preconceived design for a specific goal. God is the Master Builder, and the Master Designer. And God has never kept His plans a total secret. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)

    God Informed Noah about the coming judgment on the old-world order: And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:13)  

    God Informed Abraham about the coming judgment on the cities of the plains: Sodom and Gomorrah, And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; (Genesis 18:17)

    God informed us of the birth of Christ (approximately 690/700 years before His birth): For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6 -7)

   God informed us of the virgin birth, and through the name of Immanuel (His Sons) He would be ‘God with us.’ (Approximately 690/700 years before His birth) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

    God informed us of the life and death of Christ among His creatures: (approximately 690/700 years before His birth)

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)  

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (Isaiah 53:8)

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12)

God Informed Us of the Approaching End of our Current World Order:

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. (1 Peter 4:7)

   There is no end to the information that God has given to us. The very beginning of the book of Genesis begins with God revealing Himself. But being willfully stupid and arrogant mankind refuses to accept that his whole world is spinning in a universe that is constantly changing and moving. I find it sadly amusing that the majority of the inhabitants of earth love mythical stories of approaching storms, and scenes of apocalyptic dimensions. They can’t get enough of planetary destruction scenes, and they absolutely love to describe factitious annihilation plots as of ‘biblical proportion,’ while at the same time ridiculing anything connected to the Bible. It’s almost as if these same confused inhabitants of Earth are unknowingly waiting for something really big to happen — and it will be BIG!

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (2 Peter 3:3)

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:4)

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (2 Peter 3:5)

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:(2 Peter 3:6)

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)

   Are we there yet? No, there is still much more to write about Enoch, however, understanding my own ability to stay alert after 8 pages, I must insist that you stop reading now.   Return later for the next episode in the life of Enoch. Bye for now.


© Copyright 2018, Mary Haigh

Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the  King James Bible. (KJB)



Comments are closed.