My dear readers,
This week we are blessed with an article by Dr Saxe who has been with us these past few years.
WANTED: GODLY MEN
Genesis 5:18-24
1. Godly men: live it!
This is clearly stated in the text. Enoch “walked with God and he was not for God took him.” The preposition “with” and the definite article affixed to “God” express intimate relationship. Here is fellowship of the highest order! God give us men like this. Only one other has this Scripture record and that is Noah (Gen 6:9 ). Other prepositions are used with this verb (cf “before” in Gen 17:1 and “after” in Deut 13:5 ). It is obvious from all three prepositions that the issue is not physical, but metaphorical. The LXX (Septuagint) states Enoch “was well pleasing to God” while a Targum [OT paraphrase translation] has “He walked in the fear of Jehovah.”
The verb “walk” means “walk about” or better “to live.” It is the same verb used in Amos 3:3 . That verse suggests that walking with God involves: a) Agreement (reconciliation) “agree.” b) Unity (communication: “together.” c) Sameness (identity and illumination) nature. d) Relationship (submission) “They” means submit to God. e) Direction “walk together.”
Therefore to talk about “walking with God” is a whole lot more than mere adherence to a body of truth or attendance of a service. Rather, it relates to a life lived. What a testimony Enoch had! God give us more Enochs!
2. Godly men: begin it!
What provoked Enoch to “walk with God?” The implication of Scripture is that Enoch was 65 years old when he procreated his son Methuselah ( v 21 ). Thus, the birth of a son provoked Enoch to realize that he had to walk with God. Moreover, Scripture records that Enoch bore “sons and daughters,” but the number is not given. Thus, the bearing of children is NOT an impediment to “Walking with God.” Regretfully, children are too often given as the reason for a man failing to live the godly life! Celibacy is not the answer to godly living, although this has been promoted in some quarters.
It should be noted that the walk with God was exemplary in view of children in the family, but it was something which persisted. Enoch lived 300 years after Methuselah was born. He had a life of 300 years given to a walk with God. The sputtering of so many in their walk with God is detestable. It was not so with Enoch. He stuck with his commitment with God!
3. Godly men: witness it!
Genesis does not include what God by His Spirit has in Jude 14 , 15 . The Jude passage records a prophecy of Enoch concerning the second coming of Christ to the earth. He will come to execute judgment (Jude 15 ). Men will be convicted of 1) being ungodly persons, 2) of performing ungodly deeds, 3) of being ungodly sinners. These ungodly people are further described (Jude 16 ) as 1) murmurers, 2) complainers, 3) walkers after lust, 4) speakers who are boastful, 5) admirers of the wealthy. Let’s put it in a few words. Godly men are not afraid to witness to their faith in Christ and the judgement to come upon the wicked!
4. Godly men: benefit from it!
Godliness in this life has great gain, but more so in the life to come. Enoch is alone in Genesis 5 as one who is “translated.” He “crosses over” without death! Blessed experience. Only Elijah (2 Kings 2:3-5 ) had the same happen to him. Paul gives testimony to this wonderful fact (Heb 11:5 ). Suddenly, the Bible says, Enoch “was not.” This event in Enoch’s life is what is expected for believers of this age at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We call it the “rapture” of the church (1 Thess 4:13-18 ).
Conclusion
The translation of Enoch teaches a very important doctrine i.e. the immortality of people. This is the first definitive Bible indication of life after death. Ah, let’s face up to this. The godly life is the one which wins. It counts. It benefits oneself, family, and the non believer. Don’t trifle with these matters. There is a life after death. Are you prepared for it? If not, get prepared today by receiving Christ as your Saviour. Amen. (End of article by Dr Raymond Saxe, Ann Arbor, MI, USA).
5. Letter from Dr Saxe
Beloved Dr and Mrs SH Tow:
Shalom in the precious Name of our Messiah Jesus.
Daily we pray for you, your brother and the ministries which you both have in Singapore and around the world. Oh, may the mighty arm of the Lord be your experience.
Our nephew forwarded the book and literature which you sent with him for us. Regretfully, this did not provide the details of the apparent concerns about the property of the Life Bible Presbyterian Church and FEBC. Obviously we are deeply concerned and assure you of our prayers. Your brother was used of the Lord to commence and build a tremendous testimony to our Lord. What an amazing legacy he has left which should not be forgotten.
We have received from our nephew a cheque to the amount of $1000 which he has asked us to process through our Project TIM and forward to you. I suggested to Dan that you would know how to divide this gift for True Life, Pandan and FEBC or however you desire. Apparently he recalls your kindness and your ministry at True Life.
I will enclose this e-mail with the cheque and forward it to you today. Kindly greet our many mutual friends. Every blessing.
Affectionately through His sovereign grace,
Raymond H Saxe
912 Vesper Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Lovingly in the Lord
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor