This is not a well known part of the early history of man kind after the creation of man and man's fall (sin), but it does reveal a great deal about the development of human kind in this early period.
Mark Tronson is one of those theologians who believes the Bible and takes the text as being beneficial for our well-being, but also it reveals essentials to understand the history of man.
He recognises that when the text provides one verse to describe the entire life and contribution of a person, there is obviously a whole lot more about that person's life than that one verse.
He offers the illustration of the famous swimmer Dawn Fraser who won Olympic Gold in the same 100 metres event at three successive Olympics, yet her life was much more than that one aspect of her life.
So too in the Genesis account of chapter 4 we read of specific individuals and what they engaged in and what was the single highlight of their life and contribution to man kind.
Enoch is the fifth generation from Seth – there was Enos (who we looked at yesterday), Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared and then Enoch.
When Enos comes on the scene, the text of Genesis 4 verse 26 reads as follows:
"(Seth) called his name Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the Lord."
The other side of the family leads to polygamy and ultimately the Flood which was the judgement of the wickedness of man.
The family line from Seth however had a focus on the Lord and this impacted each subsequent generation which becomes evident when we read about Enoch.
Verses 22 - "And Enoch walked with God."
And again in verse 24 - "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."
Confirmation is stated in Hebrew 11 verse 5
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Verse 6: "For without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
What we see here is the original situation (Genesis 5) and its explanation (Hebrews 11).
Clearly Enoch came from a godly family heritage, as opposed to the line of his cousins through Lamech and his sinful polygamous situation.
Enoch's faith in God was such that he walked a life wholly given to following the Lord in all that he undertook as reflected in Hebrews 11. Such was his godly integrity that he became example to all who put their trust in God and who daily walk with Him.
Indeed, God was so delighted that as Enoch walked with God, as one preacher said, that on one occasion, perhaps God said something like this - "We're closer to my house than yours, we'll keep going!"
The Genesis story therefore in this capsule of time, has specific purposes in instruction to benefit to us all today. Tomorrow we'll look at Methuselah.
