My Favorite Person in the Bible You've Probably Never Heard Of
And why I want to be just like him
How would you like to be remembered?
If we just look at how most of us spend our days, many of us would like to be remembered as:
The most liked person in your community—as everyone’s best friend.
The most productive person you knew.
The person with a bank account that screamed “I made it!”
On any given day, my heart is inclined to want to any of these three things.
But on my best days, there’s another way I’d like to be remembered like Enoch.
The one who walked with God
Genesis five is a chapter that’s easy to skip.
It’s a genealogy that spans from Adam to Noah. This is why most people—like me—tend to read through it as quickly as possible. But hidden within these 32 uninteresting verses is one of my favorite people in the Bible.
Enoch.
Most of the folks mentioned don’t have any commentary on their lives. But when Enoch is introduced in verse 21, we’re told something about him. He didn’t just come and go. “Enoch walked with God” (v. 22).
Of all the names in this genealogy and of all the things that could be said, the most memorable thing about Enoch was that he walked with God. He was remembered as someone who didn’t just know about God but knew God.
Enoch was close to his maker.
Enoch was known by him.
Enoch walked with him.
This, the Bible tells us, is the most important thing to know about Enoch. This is his legacy. His bank account, his productivity, his work ethic, his winning personality, and his sense of humor aren’t mentioned.
It’s his closeness to Jehovah that sets him apart.
My new life goal
This is how I’d like to be remembered.
As someone who is so close to God that it permeates all I do. As a person who doesn’t just know a bunch of facts about God. But who knows him personally and intimately.
Who walks with Jehovah like a friend.
My new goal in life?
To be like Enoch.