Enoch (photo courtesy of "News That Matters"
This is the written account of Adam’s family line.
When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Adam” when they were created.
When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.
When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.
When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.
When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.
When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.
When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.
When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed.” After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Genesis 5:1-32
God’s word continues to blow me away. Take a look at the meanings of the names listed in Adam’s family line.
Adam means “Man.”
Seth means “appointed.”
Enosh means “subject to death.”
Cainan means “sorrowful.”
Mahalaleel means “from the presence of God.”
Jared means “one comes down.”
Enoch means “dedicated.”
Methuselah means “dying He shall send.”
Lamech means “to the poor and lowly.”
Noah means “rest” or “comfort.”
Put it all together and you have,
Man (is) appointed (to be) subject to death (and) sorrowful (but) from the presence of God one comes down, dedicated and dying, He shall send to the poor and lowly rest (or) comfort.
Here we are only five chapters into the Bible and already the gospel message is found! According to the principles of textual criticism, it’s impossible for these names to be here, with these meanings, in this order, and at this point in the Bible, unless the book of Genesis was written after the New Testament. Of course every Bible scholar on the planet, both Christian and non-Christian alike, agrees that Genesis was written thousands of years before the New Testament. What does it mean then? It means that God knew Adam would blow it. God knew that mankind would need a savior. It means that God, in His abundant grace and mercy, provided a way to reconcile you and I to Him. And He was preparing the world through His word thousands of years before He sent His Son! Finally, it means that the Bible is the genuine word of God!
Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years… (v.22)
As I read through Adam’s family line and about Enoch specifically, it occurs to me that on that day, that day we’ll all face, that day when we’re before the Lord at the Judgement Throne, one of the most important things in the universe will be the heritage you and I left behind. (Hebrews 9:27) What do you want to say to the Lord about your family on that day? What are you doing today to shape and grow your family toward becoming the people you want to tell the Lord about on that day?
Think about it. Will the size of your salary be more important on that day? Will your wardrobe be more important on that day? Will your video game achievements be more important on that day?
Every one of these will be hay and stubble on that day (1 Corinthians 3:12-13) It’s been said that wisdom can be defined as doing something now, that you would have wished you had done five years from now. Why not live the rest of your life doing now what you would have wished you had done on that day? On that day, nothing will be more important than hearing those words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) Everything about your life, and mine too, should point toward preparing for that moment when we’re held accountable before the Lord.
Do everything you can to grow your family in the Lord. First and foremost, set a great example, continually seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Second, pray for your family. There’s power in your life and in the lives of those close to you that remains untapped. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (James 4:2) Pray regularly for your family members to have their best possible relationship with God for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)
Enoch’s testimony is what I long for, for my family. My prayer for you is that you do too.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation…
…he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 (KJV)
Live for Him.
References:
Blue Letter Bible
Bible Gateway
Chuck Missler
Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Volume 1, Nelson 2005
Photo courtesy of “News That Matters“
