Daily Scripture: Genesis 5:1-24
1 This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created human beings, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “human beings.” 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died. 9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died. 15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. 16 After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died. 18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died. 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com
Reflection Questions:
A long genealogy list—perhaps the least favorite part of the Bible for most modern readers. This list seems, as Dr. Stuart Briscoe noted, “interesting only to historians and theologians. But there is a recurring theme which is of profound interest to every human being. The theme is: ‘he lived…then he died.’”
- Enoch (verses 21-24) is a startling exception to the “he lived…he died” pattern. He “walked with God,” and “God took him away.” Hebrews 11:5 shows how New Testament Christians read this text. What steps do you take each day to “walk with God?” How could you more intentionally deepen your friendship with God?
- Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Our culture tries to ignore our mortality. What is your inner response to a list of names, with every entry except one ending with “he died”? How can coming to grips with the truth that you do not have an unlimited supply of days change the way you live?
Read Darren Lippe’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com
Weekly Prayer:
God of creation, I use lots of technology, and count on many safety systems and firewalls—yet all too often I feel lost and incomplete. When I am slow to hear your “still small voice,” I thank you for your persistence, for following me all the days of my life (Psalm 23). Thank you for the ways that Genesis tells me you care about even your erring and rebellious children. Draw me closer to your heart; make me part of the line of Seth. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
