Genesis 5

Scripture

Genesis 5


Observation
This is a genealogy chapter. What do we do when we get to a genealogy? Skim over it, skip it all together? That's what I used to do until I heard a sermon on this chapter by Chuck Missler. One of the things he said has always stayed with me - Basically he said that there is a lesson in every book, a discovery to be made behind every phrase, including a genealogy. That put a whole new view to this chapter for me - what lesson can I learn here.

The chapter is a genealogy of the names of the men in the 10 generations from Adam to Noah. We read these names in English, but what about in their original language of Hebrew. Beside each name is the Hebrew meaning of each name.

Adam - man
Seth - appointed
Enosh - mortal
Kenan - sorrow
Mahalalel-the blessed God
Jared - shall come down
Enoch - teaching
Methuselah-his death shall bring
Lamech- despairing
Noah - comfort & rest

And again with a couple words added only to read better:

Man [is] appointed mortal sorrow, [but] the blessed God shall come down teaching [that] his death shall bring [the] despairing comfort & rest.

Fascinating isn't it! God's plan is already laid out within the first 10 generations.


Application
I love to listen to sermons online. These pastors are the Biblical teachers and scholars who have done and have access to information that is so beyond what I can get just by reading the Bible. Can you imagine how much work I would have had to do to come to this conclusion on my own! Likely never would have!

Using online sermons has become an important part of my Bible study. Yes, I read the chapter on my own and see what insights I can come up with on my own. No, not on my own, the Holy Spirit guides me of course. But look what I would have missed if I had not decided to listen to a sermon on this chapter!

Every word in the Bible is laid out by God, it is all important and it all has a purpose. It is necessary for us to dig deep and learn so we can grow. It is okay to let others do the digging and we learn from them - afterall, the Holy Spirit guides us. The Holy Spirit guided me to Chuck Missler's sermon on Genesis 5 and I learned how rich the Word is.


Prayer
Lord, your Word is so beautiful and so rich with all the meanings and design to bring us knowledge of your glorious plan! Thank you for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and for the wonderful pastors we can learn from. And thank you for the internet that brings us so many of these pastors right into our homes! Please bring us to where we need to be, to learn what we need to learn, to grow in the right directions. Please help me to be more diligent in my studies and help me manage my routines so that study of the Word remains a priority. In Jesus name. Amen!