Read: Genesis 5
Chapter five
covers a vast number of years in the lives of the ancient patriarchs. Verse 1 reminds us again that man was
originally created in the image of God, even though sin has marred the
condition of humanity. Since man was
created by God, He is the rightful authority in our lives. Verse 2 tells us that God created us to be
male and female, both in the image of God.
We are counterparts of each other, companions and together we propagate
life. It also tells us that God “called
them man.” In Hebrew, this reads, “called their name Adam”. He
gave this name to both the man and the woman, being one by nature and one in
marriage; they should have the same name.
Seth was born when Adam was 130 years old
and he was born in the likeness of Adam.
Adam was made in the likeness of God but was fallen and corrupted by
sin, even so, he had a son in his own likeness that would also be fallen and
corrupted by sin. Death is a consequence
of sin therefore even though Adam lived a long life, he eventually died. Genesis five then goes on to leave a record
of the rest of the patriarchs before the flood.
Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
Noah and his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
It is especially noticeable that they all lived extraordinarily long
lives. Did God design this in order to fill the earth with people? Or was it for the preservation of knowledge
as Adam could give them all a firsthand account of the Garden and the fall of
man, since he lived so long?
Enoch walked
with God (v. 22), this means that he lived a life of communion with God,
complying with His will showing a determination to live for God. Here we find something peculiar, as Enoch
escaped death and was transferred immediately to the paradise of God. Hebrews 11:5 tells us that “
Methuselah was the oldest person to ever
live as Scripture tells us that he lived 969 years. His name means “his death shall bring” and it
commonly supposed from the chronological records that he died a little before
the flood. We will learn the
significance of this in a future devotional!
Prayer and Journaling
1. In
verse 1 God is clearly showing us that male and female are equal in His eyes (“He called them ‘man’”). Yet for thousands of years both the people of
God and secular cultures have de-valued women as inferior creatures. This is wrong and sinful. Many Christian women unknowingly are
struggling in their walk with God because deep inside they believe lies about
women, their role in marriage and their role in the church. Pray that the Lord would bring His Truth out
into the light so that many women will embrace their calling as ministers in
the Kingdom.
2. Enoch
walked with God. What does this
mean? Is this something that is evident
in your life? If so, how? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you three ways
which you can grow in walking more closely with God. Then commit to following through on what He
shows you.
