Pearl of Great Price - Moses 6:24-52 - January 19, 2022

 1/19/2022 – Moses 6:24-52

The Old Testament tells us just a little about Enoch, but the Book of Moses greatly increases our understanding of his life, his ministry and his teachings. Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam. In those seven generations, many had left the teachings of the Lord. It was when Enoch “journeyed in the land among the people” (v 26) that “He heard a voice from heaven, saying, Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off.”

(v 27). I read this and I feel the warning to us that we are not to rely only on our ‘earthly vision’. The Lords rewards are not always immediate. But if we keep the commandments, keeping our eyes focused on the ultimate reward that the Lord holds in store for us, THEN we will be able to “see afar off”. 

In v 28, the Lord lists how that generation got let astray: they have “gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder and have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father Adam.”

He next commanded Enoch to preach to the people, and as He gave this commandment, He also assured Enoch that “My Spirit is upon you, wherefore all they word will I justify; [just before this Enoch had told the Lord that he was ‘slow of speech’]…and thou salt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.” (v34) If we truly call upon the Lord, and work to live in His ways, His power can be manifested through us!  

Enoch went on his way, teaching the people at every opportunity, trying to open their eyes…their spiritual eyes: “The Lord which spake with me, the same is the God of heaven, and he is my God, and your God, and ye are my brethren and why counsel ye yourselves, and deny the God of heaven?” v 43. He goes on to tell them that “Satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him; and men have become carnal, sensual, and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God. (v49)  

And the next thing Enoch does is to speak of the importance of repentance, in coming back in contact with The Father. And he gave them the promises the Lord gives to us: “If thou wilt turn  unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions…” (v 52)  then that will bring us to Him. This has been true since the beginning of man’s life on earth. This process is not instantaneous, but as we persist, we will grow nearer and in deeper connection to Him---and that is what will make a huge difference in our lives! 

 1/26/2022 – Moses 6:16-39   [By mistake, I got into Moses 6 and I discovered more]

We are given more genealogy of “the sons of Adam” as we read this part of the chapter, and then we are told that Adam was recognized as “the son of God, with whom God, himself, conversed”. (v22)    V 23 tells us that some of the men of the genealogy that had just been given “were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men everywhere to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men.”  That is much like our time—except that Enoch’s city seems much different than the rest of the world of that time. That city had two names: “Zion” and “City of Holiness”. That second name becomes more meaningful when we are reminded in Moses 6:57 that Hevenly Father’s name in the language of Adam is “Man of Holiness”.  After learning that, I think we need to work harder to come closer to fully being ‘a person of holiness’. 

Enoch has done much good work, helping so many people to cleave to the gospel. But, as with us, there is usually much more that we can do: as Enoch “journeyed, the spirit of God descended out of heaven and abode upon him. And he heard a voice from heaven saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;” (v’s26-27) He was speaking of those who had “gone astray” and had fallen into dark and serious behavior. This, too, happens in our times. 

These people had fallen far away from the Lord’s commandments, and this increases my desire to work to become a little closer to Heavenly Father each day. I sometimes have to remind myself that the Lord’s rewards do not always follow our good efforts immediately. He has to give us time and space to grow our faith. If we keep the commandments, keeping our eyes focused on our ultimate rewards we WILL grow in faith. One of the secrets is that we can’t rely solely on our earthly vision. Sometimes it is like watching our little children to grow in height. They are right in front of us, yet we don’t see it, until we realize their clothes and shoes no longer fit them.  Enoch must have been like that with himself. In speaking with the Lord Enoch asked: “Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?”  The Lord often gives us tasks that make us reach higher than our norm—which helps us realize we really can do better.

In Enoch’s case, the Lord tells him, actually commands him, to keep on keeping on, but He gives Enoch this promise: “no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good. (v 32) 

He then goes on to explain how the power of the spirit will help Enoch,, and how the power of the Lord can be manifested through us if we seek His spirit….through the hard times and the good times. His instructions were for Enoch to tell all the people the things that would help them the most: “Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.” ( v 33  Basically, the Lord is telling us to choose to do the things we planned to do as we made preparations to come to earth—to obtain our bodies, and to grow in strength of faith and love.

V’s 37-39 tell us just how Enoch responded to the Lord’s commandments: “…Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him.  And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers: Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go yonder to behold the seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in the land; a wild man hath come among us. And it came to pass when they heard him, no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God.” THAT is walking by faith! THAT is having the Lord help us as He has promised.

1/26/2022 – Moses 6:16-39   [By mistake, I got into Moses 6 and I discovered more]

We are given more genealogy of “the sons of Adam” as we read this part of the chapter, and then we are told that Adam was recognized as “the son of God, with whom God, himself, conversed”. (v22)    V 23 tells us that some of the men of the genealogy that had just been given “were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men everywhere to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men.”  That is much like our time—except that Enoch’s city seems much different than the rest of the world of that time. That city had two names: “Zion” and “City of Holiness”. That second name becomes more meaningful when we are reminded in Moses 6:57 that Hevenly Father’s name in the language of Adam is “Man of Holiness”.  After learning that, I think we need to work harder to come closer to fully being ‘a person of holiness’. 

Enoch has done much good work, helping so many people to cleave to the gospel. But, as with us, there is usually much more that we can do: as Enoch “journeyed, the spirit of God descended out of heaven and abode upon him. And he heard a voice from heaven saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;” (v’s26-27) He was speaking of those who had “gone astray” and had fallen into dark and serious behavior. This, too, happens in our times. 

These people had fallen far away from the Lord’s commandments, and this increases my desire to work to become a little closer to Heavenly Father each day. I sometimes have to remind myself that the Lord’s rewards do not always follow our good efforts immediately. He has to give us time and space to grow our faith. If we keep the commandments, keeping our eyes focused on our ultimate rewards we WILL grow in faith. One of the secrets is that we can’t rely solely on our earthly vision. Sometimes it is like watching our little children to grow in height. They are right in front of us, yet we don’t see it, until we realize their clothes and shoes no longer fit them.  Enoch must have been like that with himself. In speaking with the Lord Enoch asked: “Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?”  The Lord often gives us tasks that make us reach higher than our norm—which helps us realize we really can do better.

In Enoch’s case, the Lord tells him, actually commands him, to keep on keeping on, but He gives Enoch this promise: “no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good. (v 32) 

He then goes on to explain how the power of the spirit will help Enoch,, and how the power of the Lord can be manifested through us if we seek His spirit….through the hard times and the good times. His instructions were for Enoch to tell all the people the things that would help them the most: “Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.” ( v 33  Basically, the Lord is telling us to choose to do the things we planned to do as we made preparations to come to earth—to obtain our bodies, and to grow in strength of faith and love.

V’s 37-39 tell us just how Enoch responded to the Lord’s commandments: “…Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him.  And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers: Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go yonder to behold the seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in the land; a wild man hath come among us. And it came to pass when they heard him, no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God.” THAT is walking by faith! THAT is having the Lord help us as He has promised.