Abel and Enoch

Introduction:

Hebrews 11 plays an important role in shaping our understanding of faith.

Heb. 11:1 offered some definition of the term, or it at least explained it relative to hope.

Motivation and encouragement to be faithful to God should come from this study.

Trusting Jesus as savior can present challenges.

We need to understand why we should trust Him and the consequences for not trusting Him.

We are not isolated believers. Rather we are part of something much bigger.

This chapter emphasizes this reality.

The original audience needed to hear that message, and, no doubt, we might benefit from it too.

We are not alone: we have God, and we have these witnesses who teach us.

God isn’t pleased by worship alone.

Knowing Him requires us to think differently.

Introducing Abel:

The writer of Hebrews will follow, mainly, Genesis and Exodus in chronological order.

The writer will also continue the “by faith” pattern from Heb. 11:3.

No matter what follows, we know this phrase must govern our thinking about the differences between Abel and Cain.

A Greater Sacrifice:

Abel trusted God, Cain did not. Hence, he offered the better sacrifice.

This follows the Genesis pattern.

Gen. 4:1-7.

The writer of Genesis has a different purpose.

Instead, through this episode, we see full human evil on display.

Cain shows us our first example of the human capacity for evil. Featured, however, is his open defiance of God at every turn.

Genesis makes clear that Cain knew what he should do.

God told him that he knew what he should do.

Yet, Cain wanted to defy God. Abel saw God differently than Cain did.

Abel trusted Him. Cain defied Him.

There are multiple layers to the Genesis account.

Defiance and rebellion against God.

Plotting the murder of his brother.

Jealousy/Hatred of Abel for his righteous act.

Evidence of His Righteousness

The biblical account provides evidence of Abel’s righteousness.

More importantly, it attests to God’s assessment of his righteousness.

The writer deliberately plays off the LXX of Gen. 4.

E.g. “his gifts.”

Abel’s Continuing Witness:

In Hebrews the point seems to hit on themes relative to the letter. In this case, Abel highlights faith in the following ways:

He trusts God and thus obeys by bringing the proper sacrifice. Where Cain was motivated by rebellion, Abel was motivated by faith.

Those who do what is right may be killed for living by faith. This potential consequence does not justify unbelief.

Trusting God and pleasing Him should always remain the highest priority.

The editorial comment about Abel’s faith, though having died, still speaking. The point is, with that statement, that Abel’s death still has relevance. It remains instructive.

Introduction (Part 2):

Abel introduces important ideas:

He believed God.

He did what was right, yet he died.

He provides an example

The author has implied something about Abel’s views.

He will drive this home as he completes the little unit spanning from Abel to Enoch.

Why live our lives in obedience?

Why prioritize God?

What is implied?

The Bible consistently corrects the view that righteousness is detectable through quality of life.

The Curiosity of Enoch

Gen. 5:21-24.

An important phrase to note is “walked with God.”

In the OT, this can refer to something positive or something negative.

Israel “went after other gods.”

Enoch, Noah (Gen. 6:9), and Abraham (Gen. 17:1) “walked with God.”

In the LXX, it gets translated as “please God” hence capturing its meaning instead of giving a word-for-word translation.

It occurs twice in two verses: Gen. 5:22, Gen. 5:24.

Genesis 5:24: “And there was not him because God because God took him.”

LXX: And he was not being found because God translated him.

The Hebrews Account

The writer of Hebrews offers an interpretation of events based upon the wording of the LXX text.

Interpretation #1: Enoch did not die, he was transformed.

This happened either:

So he would not die.

Or it resulted in him not seeing death.

We should note how this is the opposite of Abel.

He died.

Enoch did not die.

After his interpretation, the writer of Hebrews quotes from the LXX version of Gen. 5:24.

Interpretation #2: Before he was transformed/translated, Enoch had been witnessed to have pleased God.

We have noted above, this refers to Enoch’s life style.

Gen. 5:22, 24.

Interpretation #3: Enoch must have had faith because:

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Obedience begins with two assumptions on the part of one approaching or coming to God:

He is. (This stands to reason).

His is coming to be a rewarder to those seeking Him. (This looks forward).