The reign of death in Genesis 5 is punctuated with the story of Enoch. Each life before and after Enoch is summarized with, “and he died.” In sharp contrast, “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
In case we missed it, the book of Hebrews spells it out: Enoch did not die. “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up” (Heb 11:5).
Only two individuals in the entire Bible are said to have walked with God. Many walked before Him (Abraham, Samuel, David, Hezekiah). Others were exceptionally close to God (“the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend” Ex 33:11). And the Lord walked among His people Israel. But only of Enoch and Noah are we told that they walked with God.
What does it mean to walk with someone? At a minimum I think it suggests heading in the same direction, keeping the same pace, talking together, and enjoying one another’s company along the way. It’s a relationship!
For some unsearchable reason, God has wanted to walk with us since the beginning. He used to walk with Adam and Eve in the garden in the cool of the day (Gen 3:9). He delighted in walking with Enoch and Noah. And He extends the invitation to us as well:“He has told you, O man, what is good… to walk humbly with the Lord your God” (Micah 6:8).
Walking with God is much more than living by a code of rules and regulations. It’s not a duty, chore, or obligation; it’s a relationship. “Enoch walked with God because he was his friend and liked his company, because he was going in the same direction as God, and had no desire for anything but what lay in God’s path” (MacrusDods, The Book of Genesis).
Have you ever noticed how really close friends can become so engrossed with each other as they walk and talk that they become somewhat oblivious to the world around them? That’s the kind of relationship He wants with you. What’s hindering you from responding?
Blessings,
