We find him in Genesis, just a few lines, right? “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24). Cryptic, right? What does it mean to "walk with God?" And what does it mean that he "was not?" Jewish tradition fills in those gaps, painting a portrait of a man who was not only righteous but also transformed into something… more.
According to Legends of the Jews, Enoch spent a long time in seclusion, away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Then, one day, an angel called to him. "Enoch, Enoch," the angel said, "make thyself ready… assume dominion over men, to teach them the ways in which they shall walk... that they may walk in the ways of God."
Imagine that. Called out of isolation to lead humanity.
Enoch emerged from his retreat and became a teacher, a guide. He sent messengers out, proclaiming, "Ye who desire to know the ways of God and righteous conduct, come ye to Enoch!" And people came. A vast crowd gathered around him, eager to learn. Kings and princes – one hundred and thirty of them! – submitted to his rule, seeking his wisdom.
For two hundred and forty-three years, peace reigned, all because of Enoch's influence. It's a fascinating picture of a leader who brought harmony and understanding to the world.
But this time of leadership couldn't last forever. The tradition tells us that as time went on, Enoch began to withdraw. First, he'd spend three days in prayer, then return to his disciples for instruction on the fourth. Then, it was once a week, then once a month, and finally, just once a year. Can you imagine the anticipation of those who waited for his wisdom?
And here's the thing: when he did appear, his presence was overwhelming. People were afraid to even look at him directly! They felt they might die if they did. This suggests a profound transformation happening within Enoch, a growing closeness to the Divine. It reminds us of Moses on Mount Sinai, his face radiating God's presence.
Then comes the truly mind-bending part.
One day, while Enoch was teaching, an angel appeared and announced that God had decided to make him king over the angels in heaven, just as he had been king over men on Earth!
So, Enoch gathered everyone together and said, "I have been summoned to ascend into heaven, and I know not on what day I shall go thither. Therefore I will teach you wisdom and righteousness before I go hence." He spent his remaining days instructing them in wisdom, knowledge, and God-fearing conduct, establishing law and order.
And then, a gigantic steed descended from the sky. "The steed is for me," Enoch said, "for the time has come." He mounted the steed, continuing to teach and exhort the people as he rode away. Eight hundred thousand people followed him for a day's journey! Wow.
Enoch urged them to turn back, warning them of the dangers ahead. Most listened, but some insisted on staying with him. He warned them again, but still, some refused to leave his side, declaring, "Whithersoever thou goest, we will go. By the living God, death alone shall part us."
On the seventh day, Enoch was carried into the heavens in a fiery chariot drawn by fiery chargers. It's an image straight out of the most epic fantasies, isn’t it?
The next day, the kings who had turned back sent messengers to find out what happened to those who had stayed with Enoch. They found snow and hailstones, and beneath them, the bodies of all who had remained behind. Enoch was nowhere to be found. He was in heaven.
According to the Sefer Hekhalot, a mystical text, Enoch was transformed into the angel Metatron, the highest of the angels, the "lesser YHWH," serving as a celestial scribe and vizier.
What are we to make of this story? It's more than just a fantastical tale. It speaks to the potential for human transformation, for the possibility of ascending to a higher spiritual plane through righteousness and devotion. Enoch's story is a reminder that even within the seemingly ordinary lives we lead, there's a spark of the divine, waiting to be ignited. Could we, too, strive to "walk with God" so closely that we, in our own way, might be taken up?