Gen 5 is like a walk through the cemetery, as the record of
the gravestones testify to the condemnation because of sin. It is valuable to
color in every reference to "and he died." All the generations were affected by
the law of sin and death. So with monotonous regularity this statement, "and he
died", is made, emphasizing the hopelessness of the human race in spite of the
long lives lived. Inevitably the end awaits even Methuselah. This is the theme
song of Life -- the only significant exception being Enoch -- a wonderful
reminder that the sting of death can be defeated.
"This is the book of... Adam" (Gen 5:1). Contrast this with:
"[This is] the book of... Jesus Christ" (Mat 1:1). The book of Adam's family
tree and the book of the genealogy of Christ form a striking contrast. One is a
record of death, the other of life. Gen 5 has been called the "obituary chapter"
of the Bible, for time after time we read the doleful words "and he died". On
the other hand, Matthew, in giving the genealogy of Jesus, constantly repeats
the phrase, "...and [he] begot". Although the people in the line of Christ did
eventually die, the word "death" is never mentioned in Mat 1. By our sinful
nature we are in Adam's book on death, but by our spiritual "new birth" we
appear in Christ's living register of the redeemed.
The story is told of a man whose name was printed in the
obituary column of a daily paper by mistake. Greatly disturbed, he went to the
newspaper office and exclaimed, "This is terrible! Your error will cause me no
end of embarrassment and may even mean a loss of business. How could you do such
a thing?" The editor expressed regrets, but the man remained angry and
unreasonable. Finally the editor said in disgust, "Cheer up, fellow, I'll put
your name in the birth column tomorrow and give you a fresh start! How's that
for a good deal?"
That's what baptism into the name of Christ can do for
us!
Gen 5: Long life span, Gen 1:7n. Also, curse on Adam and
posterity may have had a cumulative effect. Long life facilitated transmission
of knowledge, ie history from the lips of the very participants. Note
repetitions: "He died... he died... he died..." An inevitable sentence. The
chronology of significance of names in chapter: "Man, made in God's image,
changed to misery, laments. Blessed EL comes down, to teach. Death brings to
weary comfort and rest."
WRITTEN ACCOUNT: AV "Book of the generations of..." Cp
book of generations of Jesus Christ in Mat 1:1.
ADAM: "Red, earth". Cp 1Co 15:47.
LIKENESS OF GOD: Ct with v 3: "in his own
likeness".
Gen 5:3
The Purpose of God Revealed in the Names of the First Ten Sons
of God:
* Adam: Man.
* Seth: Appointed.
* Enos: Miserable.
* Cainan: The object of mercy.
* Mahalaleel: He who is with the mighty God.
* Jared: Shall descend.
* Enoch: The consecrated one.
* Methuselah: His death shall send forth.
* Lamech: When smitten.
* Noah: Rest.
* Reading the meanings in order: Man, appointed (to be)
miserable, (yet) the object of mercy. He who is with the mighty God shall
descend, (even) the consecrated one. His death shall send forth, when smitten,
rest.
IN HIS OWN LIKENESS: Ct v 1: "in the likeness of God".
Adam was created in God's image, but after his sin, his son was born in Adam's
image (and not God's image, at least in the same sense as originally). "Shapen
in iniquity" (Psa 51:5).
Gen 5:6
SETH: "Substituted".
Gen 5:7
ENOSH: "Misery". Mortality, deterioration.
Gen 5:9
KENAN: "Cainan" in AV. "Lamenting".
Gen 5:12
MAHALEEL: "Blessings to El".
Gen 5:16
JARED: "Will come down". Cp "Jordan" (sig
"descender").
Gen 5:18
ENOCH: "Teaching".
Gen 5:21
METHUSELAH: "His death will bring".
Gen 5:22
ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: Walking with God, in fellowship
(1Jo 1:6,7), reconciliation, holiness, surrender. Walking before God, in
sincerity (Gen 17:1); walking after God, in obedience (Deu 13:4); walking in
God, in union (Col 2:6). See Ber 60:8.
To walk with God might sig: (1) to keep company with angels
(cp Gen 3:8), or (2) to serve as priest at some special sanctuary (Mal 2:6; 1Sa
2:30; Rev 3:4).
Walking with God: cp Gen 17:1; 26:5; 48:15; Psa 116:9; 86:11.
God is light; walk in light (1Jo 1:5; Eph 5:8). God is love; walk in love (1Jo
4:8; Eph 5:2). God is truth, walk in truth (Isa 65:16; Rev 3:14). See 1Jo 5:2.
"There is no reason why we cannot think of God every minute.
There is no reason why we cannot have His will and presence, and the love of
Him, always in the forefront of our consciousness. Something has to be there --
what better subject of interest and desire? It is of such -- and such only --
that He is making up His living jewels out of the vast dead human rockpile. Not
of course that they ever achieve this in perfection: but He seeks only those who
are deeply conscious that this is His desire and their salvation, and who strive
totally to bring their weak fleshly minds and bodies into conformity with this
perfect, complete unity with Him" (GVG).
HE WAS NO MORE: Lit, "he was not" -- ie he simply
ceased to exist. "Not found" (Heb 11:5).
GOD TOOK HIM AWAY: Enoch was taken away from the
impending judgment and the increasing wickedness -- just as saints were "taken
away" (Mat 24:40,41). "By faith, Enoch was translated, not to see death" (Heb
11:5). After 365 years Enoch did die -- typ, in sacrifice (VH 58). 365 days (cp
365 years/a completed cycle): "Like the shining sun of righteousness (Mal 4:2),
he completed his course" (HPM). Abel typifies sacrifice of Christ; Enoch typ
reward at 2nd coming.
Gen 5:25
LAMECH: "Weary".
Gen 5:29
The first (partial) fulfillment of Gen 3:15. Typ Christ, who
will bring true rest: Heb 4:1,9.
NOAH: "Rest, comfort". Noah is typical of all
righteous, who are saved by water while the world around them is perishing.
HE WILL COMFORT US: Typ Christ, who will bring true
rest (Mat 11:28,29; Isa 11:10).
CAUSED BY THE GROUND...: "Out of the ground which the
Lord hath cursed this one shall..." (RSV). The deliverer of mankind (ie Noah,
Christ) must be one of mankind -- sharing in the effects of the curse.
CURSED: They were looking for the renewal of the earth
from curse (ie, Psa 104:30).
Gen 5:32
SHEM: "Name": cp Gen 4:26.
HAM: "Burnt, black".
JAPHETH: "Enlarged". The eldest (Gen 10:21;
11:10).