Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
These cross references all relate to the theme of faith and the power of God to take those who please Him away from death. The references to Enoch and Elijah show that God is capable of taking away those who have faith in Him, while the references to Psalm 89 and Hebrews 11:6 emphasize the importance of faith in order to please God and be taken away. The reference to Jude 14 highlights the prophetic nature of Enoch's faith, and the reference to Revelation 11 shows that God is capable of bringing those who have faith in Him back from the dead. All of these references point to the same overarching theme: faith in God is rewarded with eternal life.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Genesis 5:21-24: When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. | Both passages refer to the life of Enoch, a man commended for his faith in God. Hebrews 11:5 suggests that Enoch was taken by God before he died, and Genesis 5:21–24 provides the context for this event, describing how Enoch walked with God for 365 years before God took him. This passage also shows that Enoch had a son, Methuselah, before he was taken by God. |
| 2 Kings 2:11: And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. | Both passages discuss the miraculous ascension of two men of faith, Enoch and Elijah. Hebrews 11:5 explains that Enoch was taken up by God so that he would not experience death, and that he was commended for his faith. 2 Kings 2:11 describes Elijah's ascension into heaven in a whirlwind of fire, symbolizing the power of God. |
| Psalm 89:48: What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah | Both passages speak to the idea of escaping death. Hebrews 11:5 tells of Enoch, who was taken up to heaven before he could experience death, having pleased God. Psalm 89:48 questions who can escape death, with the answer being no one, as death is unavoidable. |
| Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | Both passages point to the importance of faith in pleasing God. Hebrews 11:5 mentions Enoch, who was commended by God for his faith, and was taken up so that he did not experience death. Hebrews 11:6 explains the importance of faith, saying that it is impossible to please God without faith, and that one must believe in God's existence and that he rewards those who seek him. |
| Jude 1:14: It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, | Both passages reference the figure of Enoch, a man from the Old Testament who was commended by God for his faith and taken up before he died. Hebrews 11:5 speaks of Enoch's faith and how it pleased God, and Jude 14 explains how Enoch prophesied about the coming of the Lord with his holy ones. |
| Revelation 11:9-12: For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. | Both passages discuss the miraculous ascension of Enoch and the two prophets. Hebrews 11:5 explains that Enoch pleased God and was taken up to heaven before death. Revelation 11:9-12 explains that the two prophets were a torment to those on earth, then a breath of life from God entered them and they were taken up to heaven in a cloud. |
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of faith that Enoch set for us. We thank You for the promise of eternal life that You have promised us through Jesus. We thank You for the hope that You have given us that we will not experience the power of death, but will be taken up to be with You in eternity.
We thank You for the assurance that You are with us always, and that when we seek You, You reward us. We thank You for the example of Elijah, and his faith in You that allowed him to be taken up into heaven. We thank You for the reminder that we can live in faith, and that it pleases You.
We thank You for the hope that You have given us that one day You will come with Your holy ones, and that we will be able to experience the fullness of Your presence.
We thank You for Your love and mercy, and for the assurance that when we seek You, You will be found.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.