Five Generations

Five Generations

Genesis 5: ⁶ Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begot Enosh. ⁷ After he begot Enosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had sons and daughters. ⁸ So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.

 

⁹ Enosh lived ninety years, and begot Cainan. ¹⁰ After he begot Cainan, Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years, and had sons and daughters. ¹¹ So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years; and he died.

 

¹² Cainan lived seventy years, and begot Mahalalel. ¹³ After he begot Mahalalel, Cainan lived eight hundred and forty years, and had sons and daughters. ¹⁴ So all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died.

 

¹⁵ Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and begot Jared. ¹⁶ After he begot Jared, Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years, and had sons and daughters. ¹⁷ So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died.

 

¹⁸ Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. ¹⁹ After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had sons and daughters. ²⁰ So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died.

 

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Out of all their siblings, these five were singled out. Why? I believe that these people stayed with the LORD, and because they did so, they had a long life and they were mentioned in the lineage of JESUS.

 

The world was steadily getting populated. Five generations had passed and each of their families stayed firm with the LORD. How do I know this? Because of the story of Enoch who will come next.

 

My Observations:

• GOD did not mention any of their trades or accomplishments.
• GOD did not mention any special gifts or talents given to each of these men.
• GOD did mention their name and how long they lived.

 

Looking at this list from the perspective that JESUS would be born through this line of people, helps me understand redemption a little more. GOD planned for us to be sinless. But when sin entered the world, something had to be done. A sinless human had to come from Adam versus being created.

 

It was not strange to see spiritual JESUS, walking in the garden or with the people who inhabited the earth. Some may think it was the FATHER who walked amongst the people. Could be. But I believe it was JESUS HIMSELF who cared for HIS people from the beginning since HE created us.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD specifically list these people to Moses?
• Are you the first generation who believed in JESUS in your family?
• Will you take care in passing down belief in JESUS just as much as you want to pass down money?

In Spite Of

 

In Spite Of

Hebrews 11: ²⁰ It was faith that made Isaac promise blessings for the future to Jacob and Esau.

 

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“I don’t know how to do this” was my statement to a person who was building a team. “Don’t worry about that” was his reply to my concern. I had not lead a team as large as he was going to place me over and I was concerned that I could fail. “Don’t worry” was his reply.

 

• I did not know I was being watched over.
• I did not know that it was not about “my” performance rather that I was part of something bigger.
• I did not know that it was not about “my” abilities, rather it was much greater than me.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gave another example of faith that was a continuation of Abraham’s blessing. He briefly mentioned Isaac, possibly due to the fact that people referred to him in a revered way. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were an imperfect human shadow of the trinity of GOD. They were used in spite of their imperfections.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac was part of the promise made to Abraham, so even if he made mistakes, he was blessed.
• GOD promised Abraham that his descendants would be blessed and as numerous as sand or stars.
• GOD sees my sins and still uses me, in spite of my sins.

 

Imperfect people doing imperfect things to birth perfection seems impossible. I mean, lies, deception and hurt were the makeup of the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The whole story seemed quite messed up. Yet GOD blessed them in spite of them. HIS blessings could not be stopped by their sins.

 

GOD saw what they would do and say and had a purpose for humanity, namely the birth of JESUS. HE somehow wants to use imperfect people to tell HIS perfect story of redemption. I am glad I do not have to be perfect and that GOD can use me in spite of my sins.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use this example?
• Have you ever thought you needed to be perfect or sinless or that GOD thinks less of you?
• Will you stop focusing on yourself and focus on GOD’s love so HE can show you HIS power through you today?

Generational Blessings

Jeremiah 35: ¹⁸ Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”

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Following GOD is a decision that has to be made each day. I mean there are so many things that can take me away from focusing on GOD that seem harmless. Any moment I spend thinking about something else, I am not thinking about GOD. I know this seems a bit extreme, but I have noticed more and more “harmless” things popping up in my life and I end up so busy that GOD is no longer there.

• GOD wants me to take time to think about HIM each day.
• GOD wants me to worship HIM with a purpose.
• GOD wants me to belong to HIM rather than HE serving me.

Jehonadab decided not to drink wine, own a house or have a job, all of which are harmless. He decided to only be GOD’s servant and kept that promise all throughout his life. His children, also known as the Rekabites, kept this promise as well. GOD was pleased, not only that they kept a promise but they made one in the first place. Making a promise to GOD to refrain from something one desires is difficult, yet beautiful.

• Each time I deny something in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can spend with HIM.
• Each distraction I can lay aside in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can worship HIM.
• Each harmless item I can deny myself in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can be with HIM.

Obedience, promises and worship are things that make GOD delight in our relationship. When I do these things, GOD has never, ever, ever disappointed me. HE likes when I acknowledge the fact that HE needs to be GOD without my questioning HIS authority, power, ability or supremacy. My full trust in HIM allows me to make promises to HIM for which HE blesses me when I keep them. HE even blesses my family and I am truly grateful.

• Do you want GOD’s blessings?
• Are you willing to make a sacrificial promise to GOD?
• Can you give up something harmless for a short period of time?
• What will you do with your time?
• Will you add a little more worship during this sacrificial time?