Genesis 5:1-31 – Genealogy

Genesis 5:1-31 – Genealogy

This is the first godly genealogy listed in the Bible, How do we know this? Several facts show us. Adam, described as the son of God in Luke 3 and this genealogy was a godly man; but the second man, Cain, is not because Cain was ungodly. The son of Adam who is listed is Seth, and the son of Seth who is listed is Enosh. These sons were the godly descendents of Adam and lead to promised seed the Messiah. The line of godly persons leads to Abraham, and to him God reaffirms His promise of the godly seed and Savior to him.

In showing this genealogy God is showing that He will fulfill His promise that the woman’s seed would always have a godly line of people and would eventually bear one descendent who would be the Messiah and Savior of the world. This genealogy does not list all the godly descendents of Adam nor all the godly people upon earth. An interesting fact is that many of these godly descendents were contemporaries. They had the godly influence of each other, at least those who lived close by one another.

Genesis 5:1-4 God called both the male and female “Adam” which means man and red earth. It was a constant reminder that they had come from the dust as well as from Gods hand. Adam had a son born in his likeness and image. There is a deliberate contrast between the statements that God created Adam in His likeness and a son in his own likeness”.

Seth was just like Adam, in the image of Adam, and not in the perfect image of God. Adam corrupted the perfect nature that God had originally given him. The fallen nature now would have an imperfect body and mind, subject to sickness, disease, and accident, would experience pain and suffering as well as a sense alienation, loneliness, and emptiness, man now would experience sadness, sorrow, and grief be sinful corruptible, and die.

A perfect human nature would be holy: sinless, righteous, pure, and godly would love be devoted, loyal, merciful, gracious, and compassionate. While a fallen human nature is the exact opposite. A fallen human nature is often selfish, disloyal, unloving ungracious unmerciful and lacking in compassion. A perfect human nature would be in perfect union with God: it would worship, fellowship, and serve God in unbroken awareness of His presence. But a fallen human nature would be the exact opposite. It is alienated and separated from God following its own will and desires.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they experienced the transformation from a perfect, innocent human nature to a fallen human nature. Consequently, when they had children, the children were born in their likeness, in their image. The children were born with the same fallen human nature (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Romans 6:23). Here is a helpful chart:

Genesis 5:6-20 – The longevity of these men can be attributed to the climate and environment that existed before the flood. According to some theirs was a “canopy” that circled the earth that screened out the ultraviolet rays. It is the ultraviolet ray that increases the aging process. The names listed in our chart are repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:1-4 and Luke 3:26-38. This confirms that they were accepted as historical by the later Biblical writers, of both Old and New Testaments.

Genesis 5:21-24 – The life of Enoch is most interesting as Lamech is seventh in the lineage of Cain, so Enoch is the seventh member in the line of Seth. The contrast between the two spiritual lines of the sons of God vs. the sons of men. This is shown by the different careers of Lamech and Enoch. Enoch “was not, for God took him”; this translation into heaven was apparently the reward of godly living. Enoch and Elijah were both taken to heaven without passing through the barrier of physical death which was imposed upon the rest of the race Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Those who are alive at the return of the Messiah will experience such a translation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Walking with God results from a desire to be godly, and a determination to live close to God. Despite the setbacks of sin, it still is possible for people of faith to live a godly life. Enoch is a source of universal and perpetual encouragement.

Enoch preached against the godlessness of his generation (Jude 1:14-15). What is most remarkable is that Enoch is speaking of the second coming of the Messiah, as judge of the world. It is an allusion to the crushing of the Serpent of Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 5:25-26 Methuselah, lived longer than anyone else, his name means man of the weapon or javelin or of the spear Or it can mean “When he is gone it will come.” Which of the two meanings is correct is not known with absolute certainty. But in searching the Scriptures and in looking back upon Enoch’s life and the events of his day, it makes far more sense to think that Methuselah’s name means “when he dies it shall come.” Enoch’s conversion took place when Methuselah was born (Genesis 5:22). Apparently, his life changed and changed radically. Why? Could it be that God gave him a special revelation of the coming judgment unless he and his fellow citizens repented?

Genesis 5:25-31– Noah means “comfort” or “rest,” and he would be the one who would by his ark preserve life as the cursed earth was being cleansed by the waters of the flood. The earth had become so corrupt that both the sons of God and the children of men had become corrupt with the exception of Noah and his family.

Discussion Questions –

1. What are some of the reasons for listing the genealogy?
2. How do you think the godly become godly?
3. What did all the sons of Adam have in common?
4. Is there anything that can reverse the consequences of the fall?
5. Is there any other example of men taken by God without dying in Scripture?

RoySchwarcz_FindingShalom_BookImg
GET YOUR COPY OF
Where Jesus Walked: A Jewish
Perspective of Israel’s Messiah
ONLY $3.99