Most sports have a “Hall of Fame” to help us celebrate and remember the heroes of the game, and the Bible in Hebrews 11 has what many call a “Hall of Faith” to help us follow in the footsteps of the heroes of faith it highlights.

Faith, it says, “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” and “this is what the ancients were commended for.” One of the ancient faith heroes it commends is Enoch, and it’s quite possible you’ve never heard of him. His story is told in just seven verses in Genesis chapter five plus two more in Hebrews 11, yet what it says about him is powerful and well worth our attention.

First, Enoch is one of only two people who went to heaven without experiencing death, and one of the reasons is noted in Hebrews 11:5. “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” Enoch pleased God by his faith—he totally trusted God and earnestly sought him, and the next verse, Hebrews 11:6, tells us we can’t please God without faith: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Enoch pleased God by “walking with him” it says in Genesis 5:24, and walking together is a powerful metaphor. It implies that those walking together share the same path. It also implies that they are moving at the same pace. And finally, it implies that they share a common purpose; by intent they are moving in the same direction.

May we too, by faith, walk with God as Enoch did.