Walk Into Life

Not many of us would say that the genealogies in the Bible are our favorite passages. But so often, God uses the ordinary and unexpected to reveal His glory. To fully understand the impact of Genesis 5:22, it helps to look at the context passage surrounding it. The full passage is formatted uniformly, giving an account of the lineage of Adam: who was born, who they fathered, and when they died. Adam lived 930 years, and he died. Seth lived 912 years, and he died. Enosh lived 905 years and died; the list continues throughout Genesis 5.

Yet, when we get to Enoch, things shift. Instead of seeing a continued emphasis on death and dying, we see Enoch lived an earthly life that ended not in death but in him being “taken up” by the Lord. Why does the passage shift with Enoch? What was the difference between him and his ancestors? The author leaves little room for confusion, stating Enoch walked with God.

Enoch’s name means “Dedicated One.” The Hebrew translation of the verb “walk” in this verse indicates a close communion or intimacy with God: he had a strong, personal relationship with Him. His life was marked by his dedication and devotion to the Lord. The circumstances surrounding Enoch’s life were probably similar to those of the other men listed before him. More than likely, he faced similar trials. But when we look at this verse, we see that Enoch’s story was characterized not by death like the others, but instead, by eternal life!

When we walk with God, we find life, even in the midst of a broken, fallen world. In Christ, we can experience fullness and abundance that does not depend on circumstances or working in our own strength. It is not something we have to wait until Heaven to experience – it is something we have access to here and now because of what Jesus has done for us. We do not have to earn, manufacture, or even mindlessly search for it. How wonderful that God has already provided life beyond anything we could ask for or imagine when we walk in relationship with Him through Christ.

Reflect & Pray

God, thank you for the Gospel. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sins, so that I might have a full, abundant, and eternal life with You. Help me to walk faithfully with You today, that my life might be a testament to Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.