One Good Thing Every Day: May 19, 2013

"Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day." from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

As I read this quotation from Sarah Young's devotional, it brought to mind a profound passage of scripture easily overlooked.

Genesis 5:18-32 NIV

When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noahand said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth. (emphasis mine)

Within the genealogy from Adam to Noah in Genesis 5, the pattern "and then he died" dramatically pauses with the mention of Enoch.

He becomes a father, and his focus in life changes. He begins walking with God and continues the duration of his earthly existence. But, his epitaph reads differently. "And then he died" is replaced with "then he was no more, because God took him away."

Poof! He simply vanished from the face of the earth.

The skeptic of the time might say he wandered off in spiritual senility, abandoned his family, and died alone. The believer notes the miraculous interruption in God's pattern.

Enoch lived radically on the cursed land, and God spared him from death. God further blessed Methuselah, who still holds the record for longest-life-lived. Lamech, having learned through the life of his grandfather and father, prophetically acknowledged the role Noah would play in the survival of the human race. But, that is another story.

The story of Enoch reminds me of the importance of a consistent faith-walk for future generations. My faith means nothing without taking the necessary steps. I follow the road traveled by my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents. The path ends with me unless I guide my children and grandchildren using God's Word to show them the way to go. Who knows what my great-grandchildren will accomplish with such a heritage!

Psalm 86:11 NKJV

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Psalm 145:4 NIV

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.