Battle For The Truth (Part 37)
Notes
Transcript
1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: 4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: 5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
Introduction
As we continue our Battle for The Truth study through the Book of Genesis, it is imperative that we understand and embrace the divine inspiration of the entire Bible, starting Genesis is the Book of Beginnings—of time and life as we know it. Furthermore, it must be understood that Genesis falls into that genre of literature known as the historical narrative, which means its purpose is to record real events that occurred and real beings (earthly and heavenly) that existed. Therefore, we must conclude that everything documented here is true. And because these things are true, they are “…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Amen somebody. Thus far, in Chapters 1-2, we have seen the Creation of the universe, referred to as heaven and earth, including plant and animal life, and man, God’s crowning creation that to this day bears His image and likeness.
In Chapter 3, we are introduced to a fallen angelic creature who through the serpent seduced Adam and Eve to disobey God’s command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Because of disobedience, Adam and Eve immediately died spiritually, and eventually died physically. For this reason, death is imputed to all humanity which remains true to this day. The Apostle Paul brings this fact out in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” God curses the serpent to eternally crawl upon its belly and curses Satan who used the serpent to deceive Eve who seduce Adam to sin. Furthermore, Satan is cursed to receive a crushing blow to his head through the promised Seed of the Woman whose heel he would bruise. Subsequently, God judges Adam and Eve. Eve’s judgement was increased sorrow in childbearing and childrearing, and subjection to the rule of her husband. Adam’s judgment was a curse upon the ground from which he fed himself and a lifelong difficulty laboring to provide for himself and family. As a final punishment, they both were evicted from the Garden of Eden and never allowed to return.
In Chapter 4 we observed the start of the first family and the manifestation of evil within the human family. Through Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel are born. Yet, because of the evil in his heart, Cain murders his brother Abel before he could even start a family. When confronted by God for his murderous act, Cain does not repent and instead gets arrogant with God. God curses Cain and banishes him from Eden. Cain leaves Eden and sojourns to the land of Nod where he starts a family and builds the first city which he names Enoch after his firstborn. Cain’s lineage continues to expand along with the development of skills and abilities such as construction, cattle-herding, musical instruments, farming tools, and weapons. The prevalence of evil is seen in the exploits of Lamech, Cain’s great-great-great grandson who killed a young man for wounding him, and then tried to ascribe protection to himself greater than God did for Cain. Chapter 4 ends with God reestablishing the Messianic line through the birth of Seth to replace Able, whom Cain murdered. To Seth is born a son named Enos. In the time of Enos we learn that men began to call upon the name of the LORD. With this statement, I believe it is safe to conclude that prior to the birth of Enos, society declined into godless behavior. This loudly suggests that man is incapable of governing his behavior without God’s intervention. With the presence of evil and lack of restraint from the law man will drift further away from God and sink deeper and deeper into sin. Amen somebody.
We now come to Chapter 5 where Messianic line through the birth of Seth is documented. Beginning with Seth through Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, we have the unbroken genealogical chain of the of the Seed of the woman. Unfortunately, people oftentimes, become disinterested and think that genealogies are unimportant. However, on the contrary, these genealogies are indisputable evidence of the truth and accuracy of the word of God. It is here in the OT and is referenced in the NT (see Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38) where the lineage of Jesus the Christ is traced from His mother Mary to David, to Judah, to Jacob, to Isaac, to Abraham, to Shem, to Noah, to Seth, to Adam, and then to God. This documented truth will stand in any court of law. Amen somebody.
Besides Seth and Enos, a few of the outstanding characters listed in Seth’s genealogy are Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah. According to Genesis 5:22-24, “And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (24) And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” This text alone does not give us a clear understanding of what is meant by “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” To gain an understanding of this portion of Scripture, we must turn to the didactic portion of the NT—the epistles. Hebrews 11:5 points back to Genesis 5:22-24, and tells us that, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” This also sheds some light on what is meant by the statement in Genesis 4:26 concerning the birth of Enos: “...then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” Meaning that men began to do something that they were not doing before--worshipping and giving thanks and praise unto Yahweh.
Methuselah – is distinguished as being the man who lived the longest, which was 969 years.
Noah – whose name means “comfort” is identified to make a difference in the life of his family. Although society was still corrupt and undoubtedly even some within Seth’s clan; nevertheless, Noah represented that remnant who were faithful to God. God always has Himself a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
Chapter 5 concludes with a statement about Noah being 500-years old and fathered three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. This sets the stage for Chapter 6, which shows humanity at its worse and God’s subsequent judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth culminating in the Great Flood.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters prepare yourselves for Chapter 6—particularly verses 1-4. Genesis 6:1-4, is one the most controversial portions of Scripture in which many Christians including Christian scholars have interpretive disagreement. So, until next time, may God richly bless you, my beloved. AMEN.