Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him… There may be a little difficulty in seeing how the "translation," or "ascension" of Enoch, was the result of Enoch's "faith." Did he believe in an "ascension"? and was it given to his trust and expectation of that very thing? Where did he learn it? Yet, "by faith Enoch was translated." We must enlarge the question. It is not always necessary, in order to secure a blessing, that we have "a faith" in that particular gift. No doubt a special " faith," in a special thing, is often given and sometimes required. But "faith" goes to a certain level, while God goes far beyond the level of the " faith." And it is a comfort to know that a general trust in God commands and secures individual mercies. You east yourself universally upon God's faithfulness: and, beyond a doubt, God will fill in the details, which you never thought of, and which details He sees that you want. And death is a solemn thing. Death may be bitter, even to a child of God! Else, it would not have been said, as a part of the mercy, to Enoch, that he was ,, translated that he should not see death." Nor would it be made the running over of the cup of Jesus's sorrow, that "He tasted death for every man." Nevertheless, if it please my heavenly Father to order otherwise, and that I should pass through my grave and gate of death to my body, it will be all well! There is no danger! there is nothing to fear! no real solitude! but only just enough to draw out my Saviour's love! It very little matters whence I ascend, or how: I only care for the whither. But "who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." Pray for the gift of the "faith" in your ascension. See the degrees of "faith" as they are laid out in the opening of this chapter of "faith's" triumphs. The understanding "faith" in the Omnipotence of creation (ver. 3). Then the justifying "faith" in sacrifice (ver. 4). And then, in the third degree, translating " faith" — the faith of glory (ver. 5). "Walk" the walk of faith higher and higher — above the things that are seen. "Walk," as Enoch walked — "walk," as Elijah walked — "walk," as Jesus walked — "walk" up to your ascension! (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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