Genesis 5-6:8

Genesis 5-6:8

Noah was the great-great-grandson of Enoch. Enoch pleased God: Their relationship was close, so much so that God chose to "take" Enoch. He was taken up, spared from the toil of life and evil found on earth. Genesis 5:24 says: "And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him]."

I love the notes in my study Bible for Genesis 5:22-24: " "Walked" is a distinctive form that conveys the sense of ongoing intimacy with God. Remarkably, because of this special relationship, Enoch does not die." Also in 2 Kings 2:1-12, we see the Elijah does not die. He is taken up by God.

During this time, only 2 men are mentioned as finding favor in God's eyes. Only 2 sought to devote themselves to intimate fellowship with God. Many other devoted themselves to sin and destruction. Furthering, the destruction of relationships. Following foolish desires, instead of living honorably. Mixing themselves in with rebellion. Giving themselves over to sexual perversion.

God's heart is deeply grieved. It is just as so now, as it was then. God's heart is grieved! This is what sin does. It grieves my heavenly father's heart, and it draws us away from him. It destroys our relationship with God! The human heart is continually seeking after evil. Jeremiah 17:9 and Matthew 15:19 share this truth. "The human heart is beyond deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who could understand it?" (Jer. 17:9). The following verse is not to be missed: "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind…" God is a just God! He decides what we deserve. He is Lord over all! He knows our hearts, our motives, thinking, decisions. God understands all those things. He is the cure! We need him. Without him, we are stuck deep in the waters of sin with no way out. We will find nothing, but agony and deep seated despair.

Jesus came to save us, yet so often we refuse help. We continue to look for something else to feel whatever void we have in our lives. We continue to see out the deceitful desires of our hearts. No matter what, we are left feeling empty. Nothing soothes that desire. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ will satisfy. He is where our pleasure is found. God loves us so much he sent his only son to the cross (that was meant for us) to die on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave (and death) by the power of God. Sin brings death, but Christ came to bring us life, freedom, and so much more.

For Enoch and Noah, they desired to please God. Are we seeking to please God? Just as with a relationship with my mom or someone else, I learn their likes and dislikes. We learn how to enjoy each other's company and bring joy to each other. It is like that with God. The more time you spend with him: the more joy there is and a deep desire to please him in whatever you are doing. This is the key to it all! This is why it is a relationship: it is choosing continual, habitual fellowship with God. Realizing the great price that was paid for us by Jesus Christ on the cross, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and seeking to have a relationship with him!

Closing passage:

5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. (Heb. 11:5-6)