Adam to Noah

Read Genesis 5:22

As we continue through the genealogy from Adam to Noah, another important principle for reading genealogies arises. Genealogies follow patterns and when they deviate from that pattern it is good to pay attention.

This genealogy follows the line of Seth, following the pattern this person lived, fathered so and so, and then died after so many years, but then we reach Enoch. It does not say he died but rather.

“²⁴ Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” -Genesis 5:24

Two people have been taken to heaven before dying, Enoch and Elijah. With Elijah the story is much more detailed, with Enoch it is simply a couple lines. Here we  have a testimony to those before the flood that death was not all there was, it was the inevitable fate of humankind. But should one seek God he shall find a way into eternal glory either before death like Enoch or through death and resurrection like Jesus.

There is another Enoch in the line of Cain, it was his son. Whom he named the first city after. A city he created in direct defiance to God’s decree that he would be a wanderer on the earth.

Often God casts us into the wilderness just as he did the Israelites in order to discipline them, that they might return to him. But instead Cain settles in the wilderness and makes it his home. So he represents all unbelievers who had made their home in the world, they love it and do not “look forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

Cain’s son, Enoch and the rest of his descendants will be forever immortalized for their choice to make their home in this world, love this world and things in it. To fall in love with the kingdom of Satan.

Yet Seth’s Enoch was consumed a world beyond this one, he knew this world was broken, and he also knew a God who could fix it. So he set his sights upon him in faith, and he was rewarded for it.

This world will pass away (1 John 2:15-17), so shall we if we make our home. But rather if become wanderers following Christ wherever he shall lead us, trusting him in faith, we shall find a path through death into eternal life.  

Question:

Do you feel there are areas where you are too settled and content in this world?

How could you spur yourself to not settle here but rather set your eyes on God in faith?