Mahalalel emphasized the fact that in every generation, no matter how terrible the situation may be, no matter what the handicap, or what a maximum number of old sin natures might do to hinder doctrine, someone always cracks the maturity barrier becoming a spiritual leader to that generation. He is someone around whom those who have positive volition toward doctrine are centered.

            The sixth generation mature believer, who was a leader, is found in verses 18-20, his name is Jared, and his name means decent and signifies the fact that through Bible doctrine the super-grace believer heads a long line of mature believers in every generation. It is the line of leadership for every generation. GEN 5:18-20 Jared lived one hundred and sixty‑two years, and became the father of Enoch. Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty‑two years, and he died.

            Enoch is the seventh generation mature believer and is the subject of our study, and he is the exception to the formula. GEN 5:21-24 Enoch lived sixty‑five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty‑five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

            Again HEB 11:5* By faith [means of doctrine resident in the soul] Enoch was taken up [transferred] so that he should not see death; and he was not found because God took [had transferred] him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

            The phrase obtained the witness is the Greek verb memarturetai, which in the passive voice means to be well spoken of, approved, to obtain a deposition. In this case it is a deposition that was taken over 5,000 years ago; a deposition which is still standing today: Before he was taken up, Enoch was pleasing to God. The Greek word euarestekenai, which means to please, refers to God deriving pleasure from an individual. This is in the intensive perfect tense and emphasizes the fact that Enoch kept pressing on until he reached spiritual maturity and invisible hero-ship. It is in the active voice which means that he persisted with positive volition toward doctrine. He was down right stubborn and hardheaded about the importance of Bible doctrine, and he would never let anything stop him. Pleasing God is a matter of entering into spiritual maturity and becoming a spiritual champion or invisible hero. Pleasing God is a matter of consistent, persistent, positive volition toward doctrine, not letting up on the intake of doctrine, going forward under all circumstances of life. This is why Paul said in 2TI 4:2 “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”