You can live and walk in close fellowship with God

When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. 

After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 

Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.

Genesis 5:21-24 (NLT) 

The most striking feature in this chapter 5 of Genesis is the longevity of Adam and his immediate descendants. Ten are enumerated (Ge 5:5-32) in direct succession, whose lives exceeded considerably the ordinary limits with which we are familiar-the shortest being three hundred sixty-five (Ge 5:23) and the longest nine hundred sixty-nine years (Ge 5:27). It is useless to inquire what causes may have contributed to this protracted longevity, whether it was their vigorous constitutions, the nature of their diet, the temperature or the salubrity of the climate. Or, as this list comprises only the true worshippers of God, whether their great age might have been due to the better government of their passions and the quiet, even tenor of their lives. Since we cannot obtain satisfactory evidence on these points, it is wise to resolve the fact into the sovereign will of God. But personally, even if this extraordinary longevity impressed me, I’m more touched by Enoch’s extraordinary fellowship with God.

Enoch and Noah were the only antediluvians who walked with God (Gen. 5:22; 6:9). 

Enoch was the seventh from Adam. The Hebrew word “Chanowk” (H2585) means “initiated” or “dedicated”. Enoch was the only one mentioned as being godly in Seth’s line except Noah (Gen. 6:9; 7:1). He was a prophet (Jude 1), and was translated by faith (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:5). His experience parallels that of Elijah (2Kings 2). Both were taken to heaven bodily without dying; both were prophets of judgment; both fought against idolatry and apostasy; both knew the time and purpose of their “translation” (transporting) (2 Heb. 11:5).

The biography of Enoch is brief but outstanding–one sentence revealing the history of 365 years, 300 of which were spent believing, being humble and holy, walking with God.

Enoch was godly, meaning he walked with God. One of the worst situations in someone’s life was the one of Cain after he killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:16:  “So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden”). With Enoch, it shows reconciliation to God available for all of us. For two cannot walk together except they be agreed (Amos 3:3). It included all the parts of a godly, righteous, and sober life. 

To walk with God is to set Him always before us, to act as always under His eye. It is constantly to care in all things to please God, and in nothing to offend Him. It is to be His followers as dear children. Enoch lived and walked in close fellowship with God. This was his constant care and work; while others lived to themselves and the world, he lived to God. It was the joy of his life. Enoch was removed to a better world. As he did not live like the rest of mankind, he did not leave the world by death as they did. He was not found, because God had translated him (Hebrews 11:5). (Interesting fact: he lived “only” 365 years, which, in people’s lifes back then, was around half of a man’s life expectancy). 

Enoch’s removal is expressed: he was not, for God took him. God “translated” him without dying as in Elijah’s case (2Kings 2; Heb. 11:5). He was not in this world any longer; he was changed, as the saints shall be, who are alive at Christ’s second coming. 

Those who begin to live and walk in fellowship with God may expect to walk with Him for a long time, comfortably, and usefully. And walking with God well agrees with the cares, comforts, and duties of life but the most important thing is to develop this fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit. Enoch’s walk with God might have been as literal as Adam’s (Gen. 2:19; 3:8) and this is your portion as you can choose this powerful option to live and walk in fellowship with God.

Prayer: God, you are an amazing God. Never ever do I want to have to leave Your presence as Cain did. I want to follow this example of Enoch. Forgive me for all my sins and everything that can separate me from You. My highest desire is to develop this fellowship with You. Today, I decide and say again: all my life I want to live and walk in close fellowship with You, my only God, through my best friend, the Holy Spirit. 

Quote: Living and walking in fellowship with God is the only way to become a close friend of your Creator. 

Song: Draw Me Close + Spontaneous – Brian Johnson / Bethel Worship