Genesis 5 -- A Tiny Branch On Adam's Family Tree

Most people are fascinated by the long life spans mentioned in this chapter, but from Adam’s point of view, the telling words were repeated eight times here – “…and he died.”  Adam and Eve, and even their children, could have lived eternal lives with God, had they chosen never to sin.  God had made Eden for them.  But now the consequences of that sin are showing up.

When Seth had his son Enosh, people began to pray to the Lord.  My commentary deemed it “a revival of public worship and believing prayer as the descendants of Seth met together in the name of the Lord.”  I wondered if God removed His presence from among them, no longer walking in the cool of the evening with them, and therefore rather than speaking with Him directly as Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel had, people began to communicate with Him through prayer.

Generations later, Enoch walked with God in such faith that, like Elijah, God took him straight to heaven without having to face death!  My commentary challenged us to imagine how difficult it must have been to walk with God during those years before the flood, for by the time the ark was closed, only 8 people on earth worshiped God!

Father, thank You for the godly remnant who remained faithful to You during their lifetimes, despite what was happening in the world, so that our Savior and Redeemer could come to us through them.  Help me to be a faithful part of that remnant, too, and I pray that the world will be changed by my faithfulness.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford