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 in this genealogy was a godly man; but the second man, Cain, is not because he was ungodly. The son of Adam who is next listed is Seth, and the son of Seth who is Enosh. These sons were the godly descendants of Adam and lead to the promised seed, the Messiah. The line of godly persons leads to Abraham, and to and through him God reaffirms His promise of the godly seed and Savior.
In showing this genealogy God is revealing 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 descendants of Adam nor all the godly people on earth. An interesting fact is that many of these godly descendants were contemporaries. They influenced each other in the ways of God, at least those who lived close to 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 originally gave 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 of alienation, loneliness, and emptiness, man now would experience sadness, sorrow, and grief, he would be sinful corruptible, and die.
A perfect human nature would be holy: sinless, righteous, pure, and godly, he would love and 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 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 of the righteous sons of Adam:
Genesis 5:6-20 – The longevity of these men can be attributed in part to the climate and environment that existed before the flood. According to some there was a “canopy” that circled the earth that screened out the ultraviolet rays. It is believed that the ultraviolet rays increase 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 and the sons of men 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 to all of God’s children. Enoch preached against the godlessness of his generation (Jude 1:14-15). In the Jude passage Enoch is said to be 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” a possible reference to the flood of Noah. Enoch’s conversion took place when Methuselah was born (Genesis 5:22). Apparently, his life changed and changed radically. Why? Perhaps 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.
