God's Word Will Stand

Genesis 5:1–32 HCSB

These are the family records of the descendants of Adam. On the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God; He created them male and female. When they were created, He blessed them and called them man. Adam was 130 years old when he fathered a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. Adam lived 800 years after the birth of Seth, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Adam’s life lasted 930 years; then he died. Seth was 105 years old when he fathered Enosh. Seth lived 807 years after the birth of Enosh, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Seth’s life lasted 912 years; then he died. Enosh was 90 years old when he fathered Kenan. Enosh lived 815 years after the birth of Kenan, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Enosh’s life lasted 905 years; then he died. Kenan was 70 years old when he fathered Mahalalel. Kenan lived 840 years after the birth of Mahalalel, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Kenan’s life lasted 910 years; then he died. Mahalalel was 65 years old when he fathered Jared. Mahalalel lived 830 years after the birth of Jared, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Mahalalel’s life lasted 895 years; then he died. Jared was 162 years old when he fathered Enoch. Jared lived 800 years after the birth of Enoch, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Jared’s life lasted 962 years; then he died. Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him. Methuselah was 187 years old when he fathered Lamech. Methuselah lived 782 years after the birth of Lamech, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Methuselah’s life lasted 969 years; then he died. Lamech was 182 years old when he fathered a son. And he named him Noah, saying, “This one will bring us relief from the agonizing labor of our hands, caused by the ground the LORD has cursed.” Lamech lived 595 years after Noah’s birth, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Lamech’s life lasted 777 years; then he died. Noah was 500 years old, and he fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Death Reigned

Over and over, even in the godly line of Seth, Death won out.

Genesis 2:16–17 HCSB

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”

The Math Works

This genealogy is also repeated in 1 Chronicles 1 connecting Adam to Abraham, and in Luke 3 Connecting Adam to Jesus.

This strengthens the idea that Adam and descendants were real people.

Though they lived long ages, there is no reason to think this is not true years as we know them.

The same author lists much shorter life spans in Genesis 11. (something changed after the flood)

Days, weeks, months, and years should have a normal reading unless otherwise noted 1 day as a 1000 years etc. has to do with the Lord’s coming and timing, not in the normal rotation of the sun etc.

Note that the last 2 before Noah lived right up to the Flood

There are no mistakes in the Math. God meant for us to see that His Word is reliable even in the genealogies.

Faith Worked and Works

Genesis 5:18–24 HCSB

Jared was 162 years old when he fathered Enoch. Jared lived 800 years after the birth of Enoch, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Jared’s life lasted 962 years; then he died. Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.

Hebrews 11:5–6 HCSB

By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Jude 14–15 HCSB

And Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied about them: Look! The Lord comes with thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict them of all their ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against Him.

IF it was possible to walk as close as Enoch did, we who live in the church age, with the Holy Spirit ruling our hearts, need to learn that we can too.

At the end of Genesis 4 we learned people called on the Name of the Lord, and here we see Enoch walked with God.

In the end we learn that even though death reigns because of Adam’s sin, there is victory over death, because Enoch did not die.

This is the first time it is ever even implied that there is the possibility of life beyond this life.