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Walking with God

"Enosh was 90 years old when he fathered Kenan. Enosh lived 815 years after the birth of Kenan, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Enosh's life lasted 905 years; then he died.  Kenan was 70 years old when he fathered Mahalalel. Kenan lived 840 years after the birth of Mahalalel, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Kenan's life lasted 910 years; then he died.  Mahalalel was 65 years old when he fathered Jared. Mahalalel lived 830 years after the birth of Jared, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Mahalalel's life lasted 895 years; then he died.  Jared was 162 years old when he fathered Enoch. Jared lived 800 years after the birth of Enoch, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So Jared's life lasted 962 years; then he died.  Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. So Enoch's life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him." [Gen 5:9-24 HCSB]

Observations:

  • Who did what?
    • These men regularly had children after the age of 60!
    • These men regularly lived over 800 years old! 
    • Most of these men died! 
    • After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years! 
    • God took Enoch from the earth (Enoch did not die!). 
  • What was the long term impact of some of the choices that were made? 
    • I believe the story of Enoch planted the hope of resurrection in human hearts from the very beginning of human history. 
    • These men populated the earth! 
Applications:
  • Today, do people have children at this age or live this long? No. Pretty much not. To the point that many people probably don't even believe this part of the Bible is true. *sigh* I think we'll discover the reason why soon in the book of Genesis... 
  • I have to wonder if Enoch was walking with God before the birth of Methusaleh, because today, is it ever true that the birth of children inspires us to walk with God? I would say that in my own life, even though I did have a relationship with God before my daughter was born, my daughter's birth inspired deeper levels of intimacy and connection with God, if only in the sense that I could now relate to God as a parent, if not in many more ways that are personal and unique to my daughter's life story and the way that it has impacted me. I also know of many other people who, for them, having a child was a catalyst event to simply becoming a more responsible human being. So... I think there might be something there? 
  • Today, do people walk with God for 300 years? Honestly, this one is hard for me to fathom. I teach U.S. history, and I am very well aware that our nation hasn't even existed for 300 years. So, Enoch walked with God for longer than our nation has existed. Talk about a mature Christian! I would imagine that it's hard to do any one thing for 300 years, especially walking with God in a world that is becoming more and more ungodly. That takes some character! I think there is a deep part of every human being that yearns to have Enoch's story: I walked with God faithfully, so God granted me immortality. I think that even an Atheist would agree that if they could believe that God was real, this would be the ultimate destiny. I pray that God may grant me the faithfulness of Enoch, so that if I were to live 300 years, I would walk with Him the entire time! 
Thoughts, Observations, other Applications? 

Truly Yours, 
Jordan 
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