Episode Details

Remsen Bible Fellowship; 01/14/2024

Introduction

We started into a study of Genesis back in October, but have been on hiatus from that study since the start of December as we examined the “implications of the image” of God for questions of current controversy. 

As we jump back into Genesis, let’s refresh on where we are. In Genesis 1:1-2:3 we have an introduction to the book, and to the Bible as a whole, with the account of the first seven days - six days of God’s labor in forming and filling the earth, and then a seventh day of God’s rest. Obviously, God did not need to take six days to create the earth, much less did he need a rest on the seventh day. However, in this seven day sequence, the Lord is setting a pattern for those made in his image - human beings - to follow. 

The rest of Genesis two zooms back in on that original creation, especially on day six with the creation of the man and the woman, and the first marriage ceremony. At the end of two chapters, this book is looking pretty happy. The world is very good, governed by the man and the woman who are able to live in the presence of God and of one another completely without shame. 

But that changes very quickly in chapter three, as a serpent enters the scene and tempts the woman. She succumbs to the temptation, believing the lie that true happiness and joy could be found outside of God’s revealed will. She believed disobedience could bring life, but as she and Adam soon find out, disobedience brings about death.

This becomes exceedingly clear in chapter four as the eldest son of Adam and Eve, Cain, kills his younger brother, Abel. And then as you follow out the family line of Cain, you come to realize that disobedience to God compounds. Though humanity is still made in the image of God - and thus is capable of building great civilizations, developing musical instruments, and the like - evil increases, as Lamech becomes history's first recorded polygamist, and exerts his will over others through violent threats and violent action. 

But in the midst of the pain and suffering which result from sin, there is echoing God’s curse upon the serpent: one would come, a Seed of the woman, who would crush Satan’s head. He would restore Sabbath rest to the people of God. 

Genesis 5:1 marks a transition. It begins, “this is the book of the generations of Adam.” This phrase is used 10 times in Genesis, and each time it marks off a new section of the book. The first time it was used was back in 2:4, and the indication is that 2:4-4:26 tells us how the world got to the awful place it was by the time chapter six rolls around. But now in chapter five the focus shifts to Adam’s line. And whereas the first couple of chapters in Genesis covered days, now we’ll be moving at the pace of centuries.

Text

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. 

6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. 

9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. 

12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died. 

15 When Mahalalel had lived