The mystery of Enoch
03 Sep '14 00:051 editFor those of the Christian faith, there is nothing more puzzling that the character Enoch. In Genesis chapter 5 we are first briefly introduced to Enoch, and just as fast we are told that God "took him".
Genesis 5:24 And Jared lived an 162 years, and he begat Enoch. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch 800 years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. And Enoch lived 65 years, and he begat Methuselah. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah 300 years and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Enoch were 365 years. "And Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." And Methuselah lived an 187 years, and begat Lamech"
Wait.....Wut!!
According the scripture, Enoch walked so closely with God that God simply took him.
In this regard, Enoch is unparalleled among men, excepting perhaps Elijah who was taken by God into heaven. These were not apparent deaths, rather, they escaped death entirely and were simply taken into heaven.
At least with Elijah, we have a history. We know what he did and who he was in detail. However, not so with Enoch. Enoch is simply a mystery man.
To further the mystery of the man called Enoch, there is a book written called the book of Enoch. In fact, many scholars are convinced that the book of Enoch is quoted in the book of Jude.
Jude 1:14 "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with 10,000 of his saints. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all them ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of them hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against them."
Now read Enoch Chapter 2.
"Behold, he comes with 10,000 of his saints, to execute judgement upon them, and destroy the wicked, and reprove all the carnal for everything which the sinful and ungodly have done, and committed against him."
What is certain by all, is that the Book of Enoch precedes that of Jude by centuries, so it is obvious to scholars that Jude is quoting the book of Enoch.
What I find interesting, is that upon researching the book of Enoch, many early Christians apparently accepted it as scripture. The book of Enoch exited centuries before the birth of Christ and yet it is considered to be more Christian in its theology than Jewish. The earliest literature of the so-called church fathers is filled with references to the book. Church fathers like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origin, and Clement of Alexandria all make use of the book of Enoch. It was widely known the first 3 centuries after Christ.
This and many other books became discredited after the Council of Laodicea. After being under ban by authorities, it gradually passed out of circulation.
I invite input from all, scoffers as well as those who may think Enoch should be scripture. I have no horse in the race, I simply enjoy studying this kind of thing.
From my vantage point, most of what I've read that was excluded by the Council of Laodicea, should have been. Most of the writings occurred well after the time of Christ, so far removed from the time of Christ that it should be discredited. However, Enoch is unique, not only as being before the time of Christ, but also because it was used widely in early Christiandom. I can't really put my finger on it, but I think there is something God inspired about it. I am starting to read it once again and will share insights I find interesting.
Enjoy.
Genesis 5:24 And Jared lived an 162 years, and he begat Enoch. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch 800 years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. And Enoch lived 65 years, and he begat Methuselah. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah 300 years and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Enoch were 365 years. "And Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." And Methuselah lived an 187 years, and begat Lamech"
Wait.....Wut!!
According the scripture, Enoch walked so closely with God that God simply took him.
In this regard, Enoch is unparalleled among men, excepting perhaps Elijah who was taken by God into heaven. These were not apparent deaths, rather, they escaped death entirely and were simply taken into heaven.
At least with Elijah, we have a history. We know what he did and who he was in detail. However, not so with Enoch. Enoch is simply a mystery man.
To further the mystery of the man called Enoch, there is a book written called the book of Enoch. In fact, many scholars are convinced that the book of Enoch is quoted in the book of Jude.
Jude 1:14 "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with 10,000 of his saints. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all them ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of them hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against them."
Now read Enoch Chapter 2.
"Behold, he comes with 10,000 of his saints, to execute judgement upon them, and destroy the wicked, and reprove all the carnal for everything which the sinful and ungodly have done, and committed against him."
What is certain by all, is that the Book of Enoch precedes that of Jude by centuries, so it is obvious to scholars that Jude is quoting the book of Enoch.
What I find interesting, is that upon researching the book of Enoch, many early Christians apparently accepted it as scripture. The book of Enoch exited centuries before the birth of Christ and yet it is considered to be more Christian in its theology than Jewish. The earliest literature of the so-called church fathers is filled with references to the book. Church fathers like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origin, and Clement of Alexandria all make use of the book of Enoch. It was widely known the first 3 centuries after Christ.
This and many other books became discredited after the Council of Laodicea. After being under ban by authorities, it gradually passed out of circulation.
I invite input from all, scoffers as well as those who may think Enoch should be scripture. I have no horse in the race, I simply enjoy studying this kind of thing.
From my vantage point, most of what I've read that was excluded by the Council of Laodicea, should have been. Most of the writings occurred well after the time of Christ, so far removed from the time of Christ that it should be discredited. However, Enoch is unique, not only as being before the time of Christ, but also because it was used widely in early Christiandom. I can't really put my finger on it, but I think there is something God inspired about it. I am starting to read it once again and will share insights I find interesting.
Enjoy.
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