Day 24: Genesis 5 God's faithfulness carries the story

Adam's Descendants to Noah
​This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 29 and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Meditation
Genealogies show us the Bible is a story going somewhere. Central to this chapter is the faithfulness of God seen through the revelation of the continuation of the seed of His promise (from 3:15). The echoes of Eden will travel through the DNA of humanity, created in His image, and God will remain faithful to His promise.
 
We are puzzled by the longevity of life revealed in this genealogy, and more so we are fascinated by someone like Enoch who was “taken up” by God and did not see death! How can humanity not taste death in a fallen world? Scripture teaches us in Hebrews 11:5-6 it is through faith in God and His word.  This mercy is a greater puzzle than great numbers of age.
 
By the end of the genealogy the camera focuses on Lamech and leads us to Noah and his three sons. Through this family God will further His faithfulness. Yes, it is baffling to consider how a 500 year-old man could have three sons- Ham, Shem, and Japheth (32). But more astounding is how an eternal, holy, God can remain committed to a finite, unholy people! God’s faithfulness carries the story of redemption forward.
 
Richly Dwelling
-God is faithful to His promises despite the unfaithfulness of His creatures.  This means His covenant love for you is not based on your performance. How does His faithfulness fuel your love for Him?
 
-Faith in God is described by the life of Enoch as “walking with God.” What does it look like for your faith in God to be manifest by walking with God through your day?
 
-Scripture is a story going somewhere. The revelation of God shows the purposes and plan of God. How can His promise keeping purposes be part of your plans today, shown in love, grace, and mercy to others?
 
 
Key Verse
32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.