Enoch Pleased God

Now Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, expands the heroes tale of Enoch. He tells us that Enoch was “translated.” He uses the Greek word, μετατίθημι, metatithēmi; which means to transfer, to transport.

Paul says that before he was transported Enoch had this testimony. “He pleased God.” Then in the next phrase he explains what Enoch did that was so pleasing to God, that God took Him to Heaven to be with Him. “For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God must believe.”

It was Enoch's great faith. His faith in God whom he walked with as a friend and who God, as a friend took Enoch to live with Himself in heaven. Isn’t that amazing? That is why it made such an indelible memory and impact upon those antediluvian, pre-flood people. He walked with God as a friend and had such faith in God, that God one day snatched him up, as he did Elijah.

Pleasing God

I don’t need to remind you that the entire 11th chapter of Hebrews is all about faith. It is the Hall of Faithful Heroes. Enoch’s faith is singled out here as well but even thousands of years after it happened it was still such an amazing occurance. Enoch pleased God because he had faith in God. That was his testimony, his faith was his statement of life, the legacy he left behind.  

When Paul comes to the end of the 11th chapter of Hebrews he says this in Hebrews 11:39-40 And these all, (including Enoch) having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Wait, what is Paul saying? These great heroes of faith, these proven warriors of trusting God in all situations, didn’t receive the promise? Why would they not? Because God has provided some better thing for us, that they without us are not yet complete. The end of these stories of the heroes of faith is waiting to be written by us.

Paul says that these great heroes of faith are waiting and they are waiting for us. Waiting for us to follow their examples and have the same kind of faith as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob and all the great heroes of Faith from the Old Testament. We, in turn, are called to be the heroes of faith in the New Testament.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 21:21? Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

What is the most quoted verse in the New Testament from the Old? Habakkuk 2:4 “…the just shall live by faith.”

Pleasing God means having faith in God and if we have faith in God, faith in God’s Word, faith in God’s love, faith in God's mercy and yes even faith in God’s judgment, then we will join the ranks of the heroes of faith for our age.