Enoch Walked With God # 1

Enoch Walked With God # 1

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

Enoch was the father of the long-lived Methuselah and the great grandfather  of Noah. It is said of him that he walked with God after the birth of Methuselah, three hundred years. It was a long time for a man to support a holy life and communion with God without any relapse worthy of notice. It is difficult for Christians now to do this for a single day: how remarkable then that he should have done it for the long space of three hundred years. Such approbation did his extraordinary piety gain him, that when the time came for him to leave the world, God translated him, as he afterwards did Elijah, and allowed him not to taste the bitterness of death; perhaps to show mankind what he would have done for them had they never sinned. We have many strong featured characters drawn in history. Some shine in all the brilliancy of martial achievements, and are renowned for the conquest of kingdoms Others by their counsels have swayed the fate of empires. And the deeds of these have been loudly sounded by the trumpet of fame. But more is said in praise of Enoch -  this man of God in the few short words of our text, than is said of them all. A greater character is given him in four words, than is ascribed to the most renowned warriors and statesmen by the whole voice of history and poetry.

There is something very expressive in the phrase, "walked with God." The Christian life is frequently called a walk, and believers are exhorted to "walk wisely, not as fools but as wise." It is called walking before God. "Remember now how I have walked before you in truth." The figure of walking before God was drawn perhaps from the position of those who worshiped in the tabernacle and temple. The Shekinah or visible glory of God sat enthroned on the mercy seat. The worshipers stood in the outer court directly before the Shekinah. Hence the common expression of appearing before God in public worship. To walk before God meant then to lead a life of devotion.

But "Enoch walked with God." I do not find this character ascribed to any but Enoch and Noah. I will explain what is meant by this figure; show the consequences of walking with God; state the prominent means by which such a walk can be kept up.

1. I am to explain the figure. It seems to be expressive of something more intimate than the phrase to walk before God. We all know what it is for two friends to walk together, engaged in close and interesting conversation. And this is the figure by which is represented the relationship of Enoch with his God for three hundred years. The figure is well adapted. The hidden life of the Christian, his retired habit of devotion, his separation from the world, his daily, intimate, unseen communion with God, are very fitly represented by two intimate friends walking together, engrossed with each other, unmindful of all the world besides, unseeing and unseen. This general thought comprehends several particulars.

a. When two friends thus walk together their communion is secret. So is the communion between the Christian and his God. The world wonders what the Christian finds to employ himself about when alone. They wonder what supports him under trials, and renders his countenance cheerful when he has reason to be sad. Let them know then that he draws his comforts from another world; that he lives far away from this, where the changes and trials of the present state do not reach him. 

b. When two friends thus walk together; their conversation is kind and sweet. So the man who walks with God pours into his Father's ear all his desires and complaints, and received his kind and comforting answers in return.

c. When two friends thus walk together their wills and governing feelings are the same; for how "can two walk together except they be agreed?" They also keep the same course, and thus are advancing towards the object. So the man who walks with God is conformed to Him in moral character. Benevolence reigns in his heart, and his open arms embrace the universe. He loves righteousness and hates iniquity. His object is the same as God's. The glory of his Father, and the happiness of the universe, constitute the one indivisible object of his pursuit. He is delighted with the government of God, and has no controversy with Him who shall reign. His will is swallowed up in the divine will. He wishes not to select for himself, but in every thing chooses that his heavenly Father should select for him. He is anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, makes his requests known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding, keeps his heart and mind through Christ Jesus. There are two other things implied in walking with God which are not exactly suggested by the figure.

1. The man who walks with God walks humbly. God will not walk with him otherwise; for "proud he knows afar off". The whole of man's duty is summed up in doing justly, in loving mercy, and in walking humbly with his God. The Christian with all his intimacy with his Maker, the more he sees of Him. "I have heard of you," said Job, "by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes."

2. The man who walks with God exercises a living faith.  This, according to the apostle, was the main spring of all those graces which gained to Enoch the reputation of walking with God. "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: but without faith it is impossible to please Him."

2. I am to show the consequences of walking with God.

1. By thus walking with God the soul contracts a holy intimacy with Him.

2. The consequence is that it makes advances in the best of all knowledge, the knowledge of God. An intimate walk with God affords an opportunity to study His character, to see it developed in the free communications he makes, and to listen to His instructions. He is the great instructor of mankind; but his teachings are not extended to those who live estranged from Him.

3. This closer inspection and clearer discernment of God, are the most powerful means to sanctify the soul. Views of God are transforming. While we behold, as in a glass glass of the Lord, we "are changed into the same image from glory to glory."

4. A sure consequence of such an intimacy between God and the soul, is an increased mutual affection. The more the soul knows of Go the more it will love Him, and of course the more it will be beloved. What a most tender friendship did Enoch and Enoch's God contract for each other during their intimate communion for three hundred years. If we would enjoy the same blessedness, we must, like Enoch, walk with God.

5. Such an intimacy between God and the soul cannot fail to establish mutual confidence. The more God is seen the more securely can the soul commit the management of all its interests to Him, and venture its everlasting all upon the truth of His Word. On the other hand the more this confidence is found, the more God can confide in such a soul. He will not trust those to whom he can say, "I know you not;" but of those who are intimate with Him and confide in Him, He will say, "Surely they are my people, children that will not lie." It is the greatest happiness to feel this confidence in God and to know that He has this confidence in us. Let us walk with Him.

6. Such an intimacy with God will preserve us from bad company. A man who is walking with an honorable friend, is not likely to be annoyed by disagreeable intruders or to break away after low society. When the soul is in the immediate presence of God, neither sin nor satan dares to invade; neither the world nor any of its perplexing cares will venture to intrude. Every Christian knows what distressing and dangerous companions these are. If we would avoid them and more fully enjoy the profitable and delightful society of Enoch's God, we must do as Enoch did.

7. Another consequence of such a close walk with God is, that shall find support under the unavoidable trials of life. When we are in distress, very soothing is the company of a prudent and sympathizing friend, who, from the stores of his knowledge, can suggest subjects of consolation. But how much more blissfull the society of God, whose heart is all tenderness, and who can open to the soul the most comforting of all truths. There is no consolation like this. Indeed it is well worth while to be a while in the furnace, for the sake of walking there with one in "the form of the Son of God."

~Edward Griffin~

(continued with # 2)