Feb 19
10
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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 5
“This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died. When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died. When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died. When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 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.’ Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died. After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” (Genesis 5, ESV)
New Testament Reading: Luke 3:23, 30-38
“Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli… [verse 30] the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:30–38, ESV)
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Introduction
In my opinion, when reading Genesis 5 there are two things that typically jump off the page and grab the readers attention. One, the life span of those who lived prior to the flood. And two, the repetition of the phrase, “and he died”.
Let me begin, therefore, by addressing the question, how are we to understand the claim that those who lived prior to the flood aged so slowly? According to Genesis 5 these men did not conceive children until later in life and they lived for 100’s of years. For example, we are told that Adam lived to the age of 930. Methuselah died at the age of 969. He is known for being the oldest man mentioned in the scriptures.
Some claim these numbers refer, not to the age of individuals, but to the length of particular dynasties which these individuals represent. The idea would be that the dynasty of Adam lasted 930 years, and the dynasty of Methuselah lasted 969. Others claim that the numbers are in some way symbolic. But in my opinion, there is nothing at all in the text of scripture that would give us permission to interpret these numbers in those ways. Instead, I think it is best to understand that those who lived prior to the flood did in fact live for a very long time.
In Genesis chapter 6 we will learn that in those days corruption was increasing upon the earth. The wickness of man increased of to point that God said, among other things, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years” (Genesis 6:3, ESV). After this God sent the flood. And after the flood the life span of men grew progressively shorter until it came to be what it is today. Rarely do men and women live to the age of 120. According to the scriptures, prior to the flood man lived much longer.
Two, let me say a word about the repetition of the phrase, “and he died” that we find here in Genesis 5. You’ll notice that this whole chapter is highly structured. The genealogy of Adam follows this pattern: when so and so lived this many years, he fathered this person. And after he fathered this person, so and so lived for this long; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus the total number of years for so and so were this, and he died. The phrase, “and he died” stands out as it brings almost all of these little sections to a conclusion.
The structure of Genesis 5 should remind us of the structure of Genesis 1, I think. Do you remember how structured that chapter was when describing to us the creation of the heavens and the earth? There is a pattern to Genesis 1, just as there is a pattern to Genesis 5. I think the repetition of the phrase, “and he died” in Genesis 5 should remind us of the repetition of the phrase, “and God saw that it was good” in Geneses 1. When God created the heavens and earth, everything was good. It was good, good, indeed very good. But now not everything is not good. Man sinned. The wages of sin is death. And so the phrase that is repeated is, “and he died”, “and he died”, “and he died”.
Furthermore, the phrase “and he died” must be considered in light of what was said in Genesis 2:15-17: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:15–17, ESV). The repetition of the phrase, “and he died” in the genealogy of Adam is communicating that no longer is everything “good” as it was when God created the heavens and the earth. And it also makes it clear that the serpent was a lier when he spoke to the woman and called in to question the word of God, saying, “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4, ESV). The serpent lied, but God’s word proved true, for it was God warned Adam saying, “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” The man, the woman, and indeed all of their decedents died when Adam ate of forbidden fruit. They died in that they immediately entered into a state of death, having been alienated from the presence of God. And they would eventually experience physical death, unless the Lord would intervene. From dust man was taken, and to dust the man returned.
It is surprising to me how many of the sons and daughters of Adam live their lives today without giving thought to their mortality. One thing that is certain, we will all experience death, unless the Lord returns. The last words concerning our life on this planet will almost certainly be, “and he died”. How important it is for us to square with this reality and to live our lives in light of it. And not only should we live our lives in light of the fact that we will experience physical death, but also in light of the fact that after we die we will stand before our Maker to give an account. Friends, you do not want to stand before God in your sins. Surely no one will escape eternal judgement if they stand before God in their sins on judgement day. This is the clear teaching of scripture. You must have your sins washed away. You must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ which is received by faith alone. I cannot help but think that the repetition of the phrase, “and he died” here in Genesis 5 is meant to press upon us the fact of our mortality so that we might run to the promised Christ for refuge. He alone is the Savior of the world. He is the only mediator between God and man, for he is the one who has atoned for sins. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Although the ages of these men and the repetition of the phrase “and he died” are the features of this text which tend to grab the attention of the reader, I would suggest to you that central message of this text is found elsewhere. In other words, the point of this text is not to state the fact that men lived a long time before the flood, nor that men died after the fall, but that God was faithful to preserve a righteous line in the midst of ever increasing wickedness in the world. The point of the passage is that God, by his grace, was faithful to preserve a people who called upon his name. And these people he would bring to glory. Adam fell short or the glory of God. Adam, by sin, did not advance to the state of glory, but instead fell into sin. But God, by his grace, would bring many of the son’s and daughter’s of Adam to glory by a Redeemer — Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let us now consider this passage more carefully in order to demonstrate that this indeed is the massage of the text.
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This Is The Book Of The Generations Of Adam
Firstly, notice that this is “the book of the generations of Adam” that we are considering. That is what we read in Genesis 5:1: “This is the book of the generations of Adam”. Notice three things:
One, this marks the beginning of the second of the ten major sections of the book of Genesis after the prologue. In the first the generation of the heavens and the earth were described to us (2:4). In next section we will begin to consider the generations of Noah (6:9). But here we 5:1 find the genealogy of Adam.
Two, notice that this heading is slightly different that the other nine when it refers to the “generations of Adam” as a “book”. “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” Most scholars would agree that Moses probably had access to a reference — perhaps a tablet — which preserved the genealogy of Adam.
Three, notice that verses 1 and 2 summarize what was said to us in more detail concerning the creation of man in Genesis chapter 1. “When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created” (Genesis 5:1–2, ESV).
Isn’t it striking that Adam — the one who broke the covenant of works, who fell into sin, and who entered into death — has a genealogy? This is by the grace of God alone. And isn’t striking that when Adam is introduced here at the head of this genealogy, and indeed, all genealogies, his rebellion is not mentioned? To the contrary, instead of being reminded of Adam’s sin we are reminded that Adam was God’s creature who was made in God’s likeness. I ask you, is this not a remarkable introduction to Adam’s genealogy given all that we have heard concerning the sin of Adam in Genesis 3 and the corruption that spread upon the earth through one of his sons in Genesis 4? Adam is introduced to us here as God’s special creature, made in his likeness, and blessed of God. This section smells of God’s grace from the start, doesn’t it?
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This Is The Genealogy Of Adam Traced Through Seth, His Righteous Son
Secondly, notice that this is the genealogy of Adam traced through the Seth, his righteous son.
In verse 3 we read, “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” (Genesis 5:3, ESV)
It must be remembered that Seth was not Adam’s only son. In fact, Seth is the third born son of Adam. First, Adam fathered Cain, then Able. And after Cain killed the righteous man Able, Seth was born. This was described to us in Genesis 4 which concluded with these words: “And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, ‘God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.’ To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4:25–26, ESV)
Earlier in Genesis 4 the genealogy of Cain was listed. It was clear as we studied that passage that Cain and his descendants were wicked. They built cities, not to the glory and honor of God, but to promote their own name independent from God. The seventh in the line of Cain was Lamech. He disrupted God’s original design for the family by taking to himself two wives. Also, he was a tyrant who perverted justice. Instead of and eye for and eye, and a tooth for a tooth, he bosted to his two wives that he put a young man to death merely for wounding him. King Lamech used the sword unjustly. The murderous Cain and his descendants were wicked. They sought to advance, not the kingdom of God, but their own kingdoms. The sought to build, not the city of God, but the city of man. Their passion was to promote, not the name of God, but their own name.
It should be noted that Adam produced two lines. One through his son Cain, and one through his son Seth. And according to the customs of the world, it should have been the line of Cain, the first born son, that was attributed to Adam. According to the customs of the world we would expect to read, “these are the generations of Adam. Adam fathered Cain.” But the scriptures do not present things in that way. It is the line of Seth, the third born, who took the place of the second born Able who was martyred, that is attributed to Adam. “This is the book of the generations of Adam… When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth” (Genesis 5:1–3, ESV).
It should be clear to all that the genealogy of Adam through the line of Seth is meant to be contrast with genealogy of Cain. And when the two lines are compared it is clear that Cain’s line was unrighteous, and Seth’s was righteous. Whereas Cain and his descendants sought to promote their own name, Seth and his descendants “called upon the name of the LORD.” They worshipped the LORD, and they were happy to take his name.
Let us consider the genealogy of Adam as traced through Seth and see that these believed upon the promises of God. These worshipped God. They walked with God. The called upon his name. Indeed, Seth and his descendants had their sins washed away and were clothed in the righteousness of Christ as they believed upon him.
Question: How can it be said that these believed upon Christ given that they lived so long before the Christ was born? Answer: Though the Christ had not yet been born he was present in the world in the form ofd promise. God had given his word that a Savior would come, and these believed upon the Savior as they believed upon the promises of God held forth to them in the gospel. Stated differently, they were clothed in the righteousness of Christ in the same way that Abraham was. “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’” (Romans 4:3, ESV). Abraham, and with him, Seth, Enoch and Noah — indeed, all who were made righteous prior to the coming of the Christ — believed upon the Christ through the promise of God, that he would provide a Redeemer.
Where is the evidence, then, that the righteous were preserved in the line of Seth?
Well, the first clue was given at the end of chapter 4 when we hear that Seth was born to take the place of righteous Able. Able was received by God. Cain killed him. And Seth was given to take his place. And was there in Genesis 4:26 that we were told that Seth fathered Enosh, and “at that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26, ESV). These they worshipped the LORD. These took his name to themselves. They were the people of God living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.
Secondly, notice the emphasis placed upon Seth being an image-bearer of God in verse 3. Adam was made in the image of God. And when Adam fathered Seth, this image was passed along to him so that it might be said that Seth too was an image bearer of God. Yes, it is true that all who descend from Adam to this present day bear God’s image (distorted as it may be by sin). But here I am pointing out that this fact is emphasized regarding Seth. “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth” (Genesis 5:3, ESV).
Thirdly, notice the seventh person mentioned in the genealogy of Adam. His name was Enoch. You have Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, and Enoch. Enoch is number seven. There was something special about that one. In verse 22 were read that “he walked with God”. In verse 24 we read, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24, ESV). Enoch is the one exception to the rule. His story does not concluded with the words, “and he died.” Enoch did not die. Instead, God took him.
Before we discuss the meaning of that it would be helpful to compare the Enoch in the line of Seth with the genealogy of Cain. Two things stand out:
One, it should be noted that there was also something unique about the seventh person listed in the lineage of Cain. His name was Lamech. More is said about Lamech than any of the other decedents of Cain. He is the one who took two wives and who boasted about killing the young man for wounding him. It is apparent, therefore, that the seventh in the line of Cain and the seventh in the line of Seth are special. They are meant to be compared. And when you set Lamech against Enoch, what do you find? Lamech is the pinnacle and epitome of the wickedness of the line of Cain, whereas Enoch is the pinnacle and epitome of the righteousness found within the line of Seth.
Two, it should be noted that the Enoch of Seth had as his namesake the Enoch of Cain. Look at 4:17. “Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch” (Genesis 4:17, ESV). The Enoch in the line of Seth is clearly a different Enoch having been born much later, but he is to be compared with his namesake. And what do we find when we compare the two Enochs? The Enoch of Cain walked for himself in this world. He was involved in the construction of the city of man and was eager to make a name for himself. But the Enoch of Seth walked with God. He lived in obedience to him. He lived a holy life for God’s glory, and he did not die, for God took him.
How are we to understand this phrase, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” along with the absence of the often repeated refrain, “and he died”? The passage is clear enough on its own, but we might as well allow the New Testament to tell us. Hebrews 11:5 says, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:5–6, ESV).
Fourthly, see that the genealogy of Adam concludes with Noah. And what will we learn of Noah? In Genesis 6:8 we read, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8, ESV). And we see that though he was surrounded by wickedness, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9, ESV).
Far from being a simple and straightforward genealogy, the genealogy of Genesis 5 communicates that God was faithful to preserve for himself a righteous line from Seth, Adam’s third born son. Cain was of the seed of the serpent. Through him the evil one waged war on God and his righteous line. When Cain killed Able it appeared as if the evil one would have the victory, but God raised up another to take his place. The same has been true throughout all of history. God has always kept for himself a people in the world. He has always preserved a remnant. And this he will do to the end of time.
This is the genealogy of Adam traced through Seth, his righteous son.
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This Genealogy Will Lead To Christ Who Is Our Righteousness
Thirdly, and lastly, this genealogy will lead to Christ who is our righteousness.
When interpreting scripture one must pay special attention to the way that scripture interprets itself. What is this passage in Genesis 5 ultimately about? The answer is that it is ultimately about Christ. And how do we know? The New Testament says so.
Luke in his gospel demonstrates that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the true son of God and the true Adam. And this he does by tracing the genealogy of Jesus back to Adam. And if we pay careful attention to the genealogy of Jesus found in Luke 3 we find that follows the path back to Adam through the line of Seth.
Jesus was the son of Joseph, but long before that he was the son of Noah, Lamech, Methuselah, Enoch, Jared, Mahalaleel, Cainan, Enos, Seth, and Adam, whop was the son of God (Luke 3:30–38, ESV). Where Adam, the son of God, failed, Christ the second and better Adam, the true Son of God has succeeded. Adam broke the covenant of works. He and all who are in him are dead in their sins. Jesus the Christ kept the covenant of works and has earned life eternal for himself and all who are united to him by faith. This is the story of scripture.
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Conclusion
Friends, are you in Adam or you in Christ?
If you have faith in Christ I ask you, are you living as though you are in him? Are you walking with God and for his glory like the Enoch of Seth? Or are you living like a child of the evil one and for the glory of your own name like the Enoch of Cain?
I wonder, do you stand in awe of that fact that God has preserved a people for himself in this world? This he has done from the time of Adam to this present day. He has always kept a remnant. As you gather each Lord’s Day Sabbath to call upon the name of the LORD, are you cognizant of what it is that you are doing? What a privilege and what a high calling to have the name of the LORD as a banner over you! Friends, let us not take the name of the LORD or God in vain. Let us worship and serve him well in this world, for we are his children and he is our Father.
