The Two Enochs

The Spirit keeps ministering to me about the theme of two types of humanity throughout the biblical narrative. 

Throughout the Bible, we see the dichotomy between those who pledge their allegiance to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, versus those who wittingly or unwittingly pledge their allegiance to the prince of lies. Those who are the sons of light, versus those who are the sons of darkness. Those who trust in what they cannot see, versus those who see that they cannot trust. Those who simply walk with the Lord, versus those who build systems and cities on earth.

At Genesis 4 and 5 we are told of the two Enochs. Cain, the first murderer, “went out from the presence of the Lord… and built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.” Then we are told of Enoch, the descendant of righteous Seth, who “walked with God” and never died— he was raptured by the Lord and never saw death, “for God took him.” In these two chapters, we see the distinction between those who build and those who walk. We see Enoch, the name of the first city built on earth, the descendant of unrighteous Cain who “went out from the presence of the Lord.” And we see Enoch, the descendant of righteous Seth, who walked with God rather than build structures in this world, and was taken up by God to dwell in His heavenly presence forever. 

Cain the murderer, left the presence of the Lord and the first thing he was compelled to do was build something in this world that could be measured, seen, and admired. Cain’s city was built for Cain’s glory. Cain’s home was this cursed earth. Enoch, the descendant of Seth, built nothing. He “walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away.” 

His home was the heavenly city, the Jerusalem above. 

(Heb 11:16) Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

(Gal 4:26) But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

(John 3:31,36) The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all…Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.

(John 8:23,24) Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

(John 15:19,21) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you…But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.

(Matt 16:23-25) But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Then Jesus said His to disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.