Episode 5 – The Epistle of Enoch
Final Exhortations from 1 Enoch, Chapters 91-108
The Epistle claims to be Enoch's final testimony to his descendants, containing stern warnings about righteousness, judgment, and the fate of sinners. It pronounces detailed "woes" upon various categories of people and promises specific rewards for the faithful. But does this epistle truly represent divine moral instruction, or does it add human traditions to YHWH's clear commands?
We believe these 6 Episodes (the stories in 1 Enoch) are false and do not belong to YHWH's true word.
The Epistle of Enoch (Chapters 91–108) presents itself as Enoch's final moral instruction to his children and future generations. It includes the "Ten Weeks" apocalypse (also in Episode 4) and extensive moral exhortations and warnings.
Critical Question: When claimed divine instruction goes beyond YHWH's established moral law in Torah, how do we test its authority and source?
📋 The Epistle's Main Teachings
Righteousness Rewarded: Promise of eternal blessing for the faithful
Sin Punished: Detailed descriptions of judgment for various transgressions
Wisdom Literature: Moral instructions similar to Proverbs
Social Justice: Condemnation of oppression and economic exploitation
Cosmic Judgment: Universal accountability before divine tribunal
Resurrection Hope: Promises of life after death for the righteous
While these themes appear righteous, do they align with or add to YHWH's revealed word?
⚡ The Seven Woes
Woe to Sinners: Who deny the day of judgment and tribulation
Woe to the Rich: Who trust in wealth rather than righteousness
Woe to Oppressors: Who exploit and harm the innocent
Woe to the Powerful: Who abuse their authority for evil
Woe to Blasphemers: Who speak against divine truth
Woe to the Hopeless: Who despair and abandon faith in divine justice
Woe to Deceivers: Who lead others astray from righteousness
These moral condemnations sound biblical—but who gave Enoch authority to pronounce such specific judgments?
🌊 The Birth of Noah
The final chapters describe the miraculous birth of Noah, with supernatural signs accompanying his arrival:
- Born with hair white as wool and eyes like the sun
- House filled with light at his birth
- Lamech fears the child might be from the Watchers
- Methuselah consults Enoch about the child's origin
- Enoch confirms Noah's righteousness and mission
Genesis records Noah's birth simply. Why does 1 Enoch add these elaborate supernatural details not found in YHWH's revealed word?
"You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHWH your God that I command you." — Deuteronomy 4:2
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." — 2 Timothy 3:16
The Test of Divine Authority
While the Epistle's moral teachings may sound righteous, we must ask:
- Does YHWH need additional moral instruction beyond Torah?
- Who authorized Enoch to add specific "woes" and judgments?
- Why elaborate on biblical events (like Noah's birth) beyond Scripture?
- How do we distinguish divine revelation from human wisdom literature?
YHWH's word is complete and sufficient for all righteousness. Additional claimed revelations must be tested against His established truth.
Critical Evaluation:
- Why would Enoch need to provide moral instruction beyond YHWH's Torah?
- How do these detailed "woes" compare to divine warnings in Scripture?
- What authority did Enoch have to elaborate on biblical narratives like Noah's birth?
- When human wisdom resembles divine truth, how do we test its source?
"The law of YHWH is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of YHWH is sure, making wise the simple." — Psalm 19:7
"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar." — Proverbs 30:5-6