This verse on Enoch begins just like all the others; he was a certain number of years old and then begat his son. However, a note in the next verse shows his life was indeed very different. All of us, indeed, have the same opportunity to really go above and beyond, and make a difference for the Lord; even if it seems small by some standards, because of our limitations it may be huge. Enoch, just like all the others, lived a certain number of years. Any of us, like all other believers, have been saved. Now, what will we do with it? Enoch walked with God, and prophesied.
We don’t know if there were any prophets before Enoch, or how much Enoch prophesied. We read a prophecy of his in Jude 14-15, that the Lord will return with His saints to execute judgment on this sinful world. (The number says ten thousand, but that was a number used in Greek to indicate a number so large it couldn’t be counted.)
Let us digress for a moment here. There is a Book of Enoch, but it is not on the level of Scripture. However, Jude, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says that he prophesied. This prophecy wasn’t necessary to be revealed until then, in God’s eyes, though it may have been a tradition beforehand. Indeed, the apocryphal Book of Enoch could have borrowed the quote from Jude. Whatever else – if anything – Enoch foretold will only be known when we get to Heaven.
If Moses makes no mention of Enoch being a prophet, then how can we be sure? First, God doesn’t reveal everything right away. He tells us when it’s important for us to know. God chose, at this time, to let us know that Enoch had made at least one prophecy. One might also note that Lamech also prophesies about Noah, and that Enoch’s son, Methusaleh, bears a name which means “When he dies comes the emission,” or the Flood, according to John Gill’s and other commentaries. More importantly, however, the nature of the man’s life – one of a handful to be said to “walk with God” – shows he had a special relationship, different from those who merely lived and served. It’s quite likely that he was a prophet, and that some record even before that existed.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Gen. 5:6-20
These verses go into more detail than those concerning Cain’s descendants. However, they each hold the same basic truth that the previous verses did. These people lived and died. What they did between those times – other than fathering the one child of many who wound up in the genealogy down to Noah - is only known to the Lord. However, we can glean things from these verses.
First, more information is given than just the genealogy. God the Holy Spirit still felt it important that Cain’s descendants be recorded. God yearns for all to be saved; He is very longsuffering toward us, and gives us many chances. He sees each person, even those who stray far from Him. And, He uses numerous means to try to draw them to Him lovingly; never forcing, but working in things so they see His love and receive His forgiveness.
And yet, in the end, all perish in this life. We only have this life to decide whether to choose Him. It’s as if there’s a flight coming to pick us up, and we must choose to get on board. Many don’t know that there is a flight, or that we must get on board. They must be told. However, the important thing is, this world will cease to exist someday. Our mortal bodies will wear out. The question is, have we got that ticket to Heaven? It was given freely to each of us, the purchase price being the perfect blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Though people could only trust that God would send a deliverer at this point, they – like Abraham – were justified by faith.
We also see that the years are numbered. God gives this information here, but not in the other line. There are a few reasons this may be; and, it is likely a combination of them.
This may be because they followed Him, so the years they had to serve the Lord were numbered, to see what each would do with them. With Cain’s line, meanwhile, if these people didn’t trust in the Lord, the clock never started ticking on what they could do for Him. This is quite plausible, as it further shows that nobody can work their way to Heaven. God only counts what works we’ve done for Him after we’re saved. Before, He doesn’t know us, and we know facts, if that, about Him. We don’t have the personal relationship with Him that lets us truly serve Him.
Another possible reason is that God, in God is detailing His plan, and the genealogy through which He was working. This explains why He shows how old they were when they fathered the next one in that genealogy which would see mankind through to the other side of the deluge. The situation surrounding each is unique – see how some sired that particular son much later than others. In the same way, each of us comes from a unique background, but we all work together to ensure that the Lord’s work continues.
This also leads back to the point about their work counting for eternity in ways that those of Cain’s line didn’t. God makes note of what we do for Him, no matter how big or small. After all, it’s ntoed that each man had sons and daughters, too; only the most prominent in Cain’s line merit mention. (See Genesis 4:22 concerning Naamah for other reasons this line may have been mentioned.)
Also, the Bible notes that these men lived. Yes, Cain’s line is mentioned as people begat others, but while God noticed them and worked in love to woo them, they became nother more than people, living and dying, most if not all with no knowledge of the Redeemer. Such is the sad state of affairs today, which is why it is vital that we get the Gospel to as many as possible.
First, more information is given than just the genealogy. God the Holy Spirit still felt it important that Cain’s descendants be recorded. God yearns for all to be saved; He is very longsuffering toward us, and gives us many chances. He sees each person, even those who stray far from Him. And, He uses numerous means to try to draw them to Him lovingly; never forcing, but working in things so they see His love and receive His forgiveness.
And yet, in the end, all perish in this life. We only have this life to decide whether to choose Him. It’s as if there’s a flight coming to pick us up, and we must choose to get on board. Many don’t know that there is a flight, or that we must get on board. They must be told. However, the important thing is, this world will cease to exist someday. Our mortal bodies will wear out. The question is, have we got that ticket to Heaven? It was given freely to each of us, the purchase price being the perfect blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Though people could only trust that God would send a deliverer at this point, they – like Abraham – were justified by faith.
We also see that the years are numbered. God gives this information here, but not in the other line. There are a few reasons this may be; and, it is likely a combination of them.
This may be because they followed Him, so the years they had to serve the Lord were numbered, to see what each would do with them. With Cain’s line, meanwhile, if these people didn’t trust in the Lord, the clock never started ticking on what they could do for Him. This is quite plausible, as it further shows that nobody can work their way to Heaven. God only counts what works we’ve done for Him after we’re saved. Before, He doesn’t know us, and we know facts, if that, about Him. We don’t have the personal relationship with Him that lets us truly serve Him.
Another possible reason is that God, in God is detailing His plan, and the genealogy through which He was working. This explains why He shows how old they were when they fathered the next one in that genealogy which would see mankind through to the other side of the deluge. The situation surrounding each is unique – see how some sired that particular son much later than others. In the same way, each of us comes from a unique background, but we all work together to ensure that the Lord’s work continues.
This also leads back to the point about their work counting for eternity in ways that those of Cain’s line didn’t. God makes note of what we do for Him, no matter how big or small. After all, it’s ntoed that each man had sons and daughters, too; only the most prominent in Cain’s line merit mention. (See Genesis 4:22 concerning Naamah for other reasons this line may have been mentioned.)
Also, the Bible notes that these men lived. Yes, Cain’s line is mentioned as people begat others, but while God noticed them and worked in love to woo them, they became nother more than people, living and dying, most if not all with no knowledge of the Redeemer. Such is the sad state of affairs today, which is why it is vital that we get the Gospel to as many as possible.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Gen. 5:5
Here, we’re told the number of years Adam lived total. We see two important facts that apply to everyone. He lived. And, he died. No matter how long it was – much longer because of that canopy above the earth – he died, just as all do.
However, we should never forget that he lived. God gave him the grace and mercy to be able to live. Some peoples’ days are shorter, some longer, but, while it may sound like baseball great Yogi Berra, it’s true. Everyone who is alive is living.
The amount of information he could have imparted is incredible. The amount he could have gathered is also incredible. Imagine 930 years of arts, science, inventions, anything. As noted, too, genetic problems hadn’t begun to haunt people. He and Eve possessed the great minds, and they were able to pass on much of that to their descendants. Given that great pioneers in various areas have changed the world in a few decades, having a few centuries would mean astounding developments. We don’t know how advanced people were in that day and time, but we do know this – these people lived, and at least a few had the opportunity to create incredible things.
Take the Pyramids in Egypt, for instance. They were built soon after the Great Flood, according to most experts. The technology just to get the shafts so perfectly fitted has only existed for a few decades. And, people still aren’t sure how they were constructed, or how Stonehenge and a few other ancient wonders were created. The Mayans, too, had very advanced astronomy.
So, why did it die out? People stopped using the knowledge. Indeed, they stopped even needing it, they were so concerned with survival after the Flood. Machines may have been built soon after the Flood, but nobody recorded how to make them, and the machines to make the machines to build the Pyramids, or Stonehenge, became unworkable. Soon, all their works perished. And, only a few scant things remained. It’s just like people forgot how to use the information to build aqueducts, or the very elaborate Roman road system, after the Roman Empire declined – the road system in Europe wasn’t as good as those Roman ones till the 1700s, if not later!
That’s just like us, though. Just like Adam, just like that technical knowledge, we all die. The great composers of history, the great painters, the great inventors, are all dead, just as Adam was. As long as he lived, he was on Earth doing things. And yet, his life on Earth came to an end. It didn’t matter how much he contributed. What mattered was that he had a redeemer.
All the great accomplishments that Adam made, whatever they were – no doubt written language, the discovery of fire and its uses, simple tools like the lever and perhaps more complex ones, were among them – added to the sum of all knowledge that people had. However, in the end, those things only added to what was on Earth. All that was counted when he got to heaven were these two things. First, and most importantly, had he put his trust in that Redeemer. Second, what had he done to point people to the future Redeemer.
This, then, is the story of each of our lives. Have you put your trust in the Redeemer – who eventually came in the flesh, and took the punishment for your sin by shedding His perfect blood on the cross, dying for you and rising from the dead – to save you and get you to Heaven? Next, what have you done to point others to Jesus Christ. That can mean witnessing, but it can also mean showing His love, goodness, and compassion to others; not to point them to yourself or just to a “noble cause,” but doing so in order to glorify God, and make Him known. It can also mean prayer, talking with God and having things in common with Him, growing so close to Him that you can understand His will, and His love, for others. It can mean seeking His face in many areas.
We don’t all have the same amount of life. We don’t all have the same opportunities. God cares only about what we do with the opportunities that we have. We all have the opportunity, in some way – even if it’s just through prayer - to show Christ’s love to others, to put the focus off of ourselves and onto God.
However, we should never forget that he lived. God gave him the grace and mercy to be able to live. Some peoples’ days are shorter, some longer, but, while it may sound like baseball great Yogi Berra, it’s true. Everyone who is alive is living.
The amount of information he could have imparted is incredible. The amount he could have gathered is also incredible. Imagine 930 years of arts, science, inventions, anything. As noted, too, genetic problems hadn’t begun to haunt people. He and Eve possessed the great minds, and they were able to pass on much of that to their descendants. Given that great pioneers in various areas have changed the world in a few decades, having a few centuries would mean astounding developments. We don’t know how advanced people were in that day and time, but we do know this – these people lived, and at least a few had the opportunity to create incredible things.
Take the Pyramids in Egypt, for instance. They were built soon after the Great Flood, according to most experts. The technology just to get the shafts so perfectly fitted has only existed for a few decades. And, people still aren’t sure how they were constructed, or how Stonehenge and a few other ancient wonders were created. The Mayans, too, had very advanced astronomy.
So, why did it die out? People stopped using the knowledge. Indeed, they stopped even needing it, they were so concerned with survival after the Flood. Machines may have been built soon after the Flood, but nobody recorded how to make them, and the machines to make the machines to build the Pyramids, or Stonehenge, became unworkable. Soon, all their works perished. And, only a few scant things remained. It’s just like people forgot how to use the information to build aqueducts, or the very elaborate Roman road system, after the Roman Empire declined – the road system in Europe wasn’t as good as those Roman ones till the 1700s, if not later!
That’s just like us, though. Just like Adam, just like that technical knowledge, we all die. The great composers of history, the great painters, the great inventors, are all dead, just as Adam was. As long as he lived, he was on Earth doing things. And yet, his life on Earth came to an end. It didn’t matter how much he contributed. What mattered was that he had a redeemer.
All the great accomplishments that Adam made, whatever they were – no doubt written language, the discovery of fire and its uses, simple tools like the lever and perhaps more complex ones, were among them – added to the sum of all knowledge that people had. However, in the end, those things only added to what was on Earth. All that was counted when he got to heaven were these two things. First, and most importantly, had he put his trust in that Redeemer. Second, what had he done to point people to the future Redeemer.
This, then, is the story of each of our lives. Have you put your trust in the Redeemer – who eventually came in the flesh, and took the punishment for your sin by shedding His perfect blood on the cross, dying for you and rising from the dead – to save you and get you to Heaven? Next, what have you done to point others to Jesus Christ. That can mean witnessing, but it can also mean showing His love, goodness, and compassion to others; not to point them to yourself or just to a “noble cause,” but doing so in order to glorify God, and make Him known. It can also mean prayer, talking with God and having things in common with Him, growing so close to Him that you can understand His will, and His love, for others. It can mean seeking His face in many areas.
We don’t all have the same amount of life. We don’t all have the same opportunities. God cares only about what we do with the opportunities that we have. We all have the opportunity, in some way – even if it’s just through prayer - to show Christ’s love to others, to put the focus off of ourselves and onto God.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Gen. 5:4
As mentioned in the discussion here (Gen. 4:3), Gen. 4:17, and a couple other places, if anyone asks where Cain got his wife, you can point them to this verse.
Jude 22-23 instructs us about the difference between people, and how to reach them. This is a perfect example. Some are ignorant through no fault of their own. They must be reached with compassion. We must understand that they have never had the chance to know the Bible. They have been taught lies, because their teachers – whoever they might be – have withheld the truth. However, others are willfully ignorant. They won’t listen, because they know if they did, they’d be converted, and forced to confess their sins. The only way to tell the difference is to trust in the Lord for guidance. Of course, it’s always best to presume that the person is genuinely ignorant, through no fault of their own. It is in this way we show Christian love and gentleness toward others.
We also see the length of time Adam and Eve had together. Tradition is that they had anywhere from 12 sons (and at least two daughters as the language shows) to 100 children. Josephus gives it as 33 sons and 23 daughters. The exact number is unknown, but with genetics not breaking down so much, it’s possible some people could have had hundreds. This time allowed him to live till Lamech was old enough to understand when Adam passed on information.
Jude 22-23 instructs us about the difference between people, and how to reach them. This is a perfect example. Some are ignorant through no fault of their own. They must be reached with compassion. We must understand that they have never had the chance to know the Bible. They have been taught lies, because their teachers – whoever they might be – have withheld the truth. However, others are willfully ignorant. They won’t listen, because they know if they did, they’d be converted, and forced to confess their sins. The only way to tell the difference is to trust in the Lord for guidance. Of course, it’s always best to presume that the person is genuinely ignorant, through no fault of their own. It is in this way we show Christian love and gentleness toward others.
We also see the length of time Adam and Eve had together. Tradition is that they had anywhere from 12 sons (and at least two daughters as the language shows) to 100 children. Josephus gives it as 33 sons and 23 daughters. The exact number is unknown, but with genetics not breaking down so much, it’s possible some people could have had hundreds. This time allowed him to live till Lamech was old enough to understand when Adam passed on information.
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