This passage has always been curious to me. These guys sure lived long lives (in comparison to what we know today). Again, this detail might stop some people from paying attention and lose the intention of this reading. The art of storytelling is to convey what happened in a meaningful way. Obviously, between Adam and Noah, there were many generations, and to bridge the gap we needed a chapter like this. We can imagine that life continued with people working the land, tending to the animals, and making music.
Don’t let time get you stuck. Maybe people were living for a long time because the earth was new and the foods were so healthy. We know that food today, even food that is grown and harvested has been genetically altered to look prettier, last longer, give more harvest, etc. Through all this “adjustment”, the nutrients have really taken a hit. It’s not a secret, but people aren’t talking about it much. We wonder why we are all feeling so crummy. Our bodies aren’t getting the nutrition we require. I digress, but again, don’t let the detail of time hold you back from seeing some of the cool stuff in this chapter. God was trying to populate the earth, after all, longer lives may have been exactly what was needed.
Whether these folks lived 90 years or 900 years, we have a few individuals who stand out here. Certainly, there is a pattern, and we are following a particular line between Adam and Noah. There are many other people who were born during these years, it sounds like many children were being born. But God’s story is told through certain individuals, and one main character will be Noah. Noah’s great-grandfather, Enoch was pretty special, too. Perhaps it was the faith of Enoch that inspired his offspring.
The pattern we see here changes when it was Enoch’s turn. Enoch lived “in a close relationship” with God. That is noteworthy to be sure, and the fact that “God took him” is also very curious. What does that even mean? All of the other descendants died. It is definitely a mystery. Such a small snippet is devoted to him, and you have to wonder why. Sorry I don’t have an answer here.
The other deviation from the pattern is with Lamech, the father of Noah. Lamech cries out, “May he bring us relief from our work and the painful labor of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed.” So there appears to be some animosity here towards God, blaming him for their lot in life. (Does that sound familiar?) The underlying truth here is that sin has brought the people to where they are. Sins of their forefathers and their own sins continue. They are not walking with God as Enoch had. Lamech hopes his son, Noah will be the one to bring them relief and rescue from their sins. We know who the true comforter is, yet this somehow points to the hope people have for a savior already.
So how about you? Are you walking with God? What does your journey look like? There are some days I wish I could be like Enoch and have God just take me. Yet, I enjoy the journey way too much and know that God has a lot more in store for me. Every day is a gift, and I bound out of bed with anticipation of how God will use me next. It hasn’t always been this way. There were times when it was drudgery to pull myself from the coziness under the covers. It can be like that when you’re going through the motions and not looking for God to bring you a miracle, a new friend, a job to do. We just need to be obedient and walk with God.
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et’s pray. Lord, thank you for all of the provisions you make for me each day. I look forward to seeing what you have for me next. Help me to have my eyes open and my heart ready to receive your assignment, your blessing. I may not understand everything in your word or how it all fits together. I know in time you will reveal it all to me. I only know you are the one leading my life and I am forever grateful for all that you are doing in and through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
