The Rhythm is Changed

In Genesis 5 there is a rhythm. It sways back and forth through life and death. Look carefully:

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

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

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

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

When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

When Jared had lived 162 years he fathered Enoch. Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died." (Genesis 5:1-20 ESV)

Do you see the swaying rhythm of the text? This chapter records the lives and deaths of all of these men from Adam to Jared. There is a clear, continuing theme running through them all.

Then it changes. The rhythm is broken.

"When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:21-24 ESV)

What a fascinating departure! Enoch did not merely live; he walked with God in his life, and was taken up to be with God instead of dying, for he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5). For Enoch, living was walking with God. Enoch was almost obsessive. He was consumed by his relationship with God.

How I desire to be like that. To walk with God through every day. To really, really believe that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. To get lost in Christ instead of in the mundane. To take every moment as a gift from His hand. To breathe every breath in light of His mercy. To spend every second in the hope of His presence.

I don't merely want to live and die. I want to live for Christ, and die for Christ, standing firm on His promises and being a colander of His love, outpouring to others. I want to be a part of the genealogy from Enoch, to Noah...those who walked with God.