Advent Journey - Following the Seed From Eden to Bethlehem Sýnishorn

Day 4

FAITH LEGACY

Mahalalel (5), Jared (6), Enoch (7), Methuselah (8) & Lamech (9)

After Adam, Seth, Enos and Cainan (Days 2 & 3) – we have Mahalaleel and Jared. We know very little of these two fathers. Next we arrive at Enoch.  

Enoch was special. He’s one of only two men who never died (the other is Elijah). One day he was on earth, then one day “he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).

The Bible says he “walked with God.” What an impressive three-word resumé! His God-pleasing reputation places him among the Bible’s “Faith Hall of Fame” members (see Hebrews 11:5).

And if you flip all the way to the end of your Bible to a book called Jude, Enoch is mentioned as “the seventh from Adam” (v14,15).

For all of us seed trackers, what number is Enoch in the line of the Seed? That’s right. #7! 

That’s proof that Bible authors like Jude relied on the Genesis genealogies, too.

Next we have Methuselah. He’s the oldest living man mentioned in the Bible. He lived to be 969 years old. Methuselah held a stunning position in faith history. His father (Enoch) was a spiritual giant.  

On the other side of history, Methuselah was Noah’s grandfather! Based on Bible records, Methuselah died in the year of the flood. He watched the ark project start with blueprints and likely saw its completion. He might have swung hammers with Noah and sons (Methuselah’s great grandsons). 

It’s hard for us to fathom how these men could have lived to be 800 or 900 years old. But remember, man was created to live forever. And the death process set in slowly. 

Methuselah’s son, Lamech must have caught his father and grandfather’s faith, and he must have sensed God’s redemptive plan at work. 

When his son, Noah, was born, Lamech prophesied saying, “This one shall bring us relief…” (Gen. 5:29).

What is this “relief”, or “comfort” as other translations say,  Lamech is talking about?

We’re about to find out. 

Reflections:

Think about the amazing spiritual legacy of Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. 

What does the spiritual legacy look like for your family - do you come from a line of Christ followers? Or did you come to faith in other ways besides your family?

Whatever your family’s faith story, take time to thank God for bringing you into faith and salvation.