Alpha and Omega, Part 11
A Secret Revelation in Mankind’s Lineage
Genesis 5:1-32
Introduction
- We’ve begun 2023 with “one purpose”: Knowing there is a God!
-- Continuing our series, “Alpha and Omega”; examining the beginning to the end
- 100% a teaching message today – but critical to see why we praise God
-- When you and I see what God has done, even here, we truly cannot deny Him
- Last 3 weeks we saw humanity’s disregard for authority:
• Selfish rebellion in the face of a righteous God (by not obeying command)
• A willingness to place our blame on one another (failure to repent)
• We even saw a brother murder another (for pride and self-righteousness)
- Yet, as this book (first of the Torah) is written by Moses, God is very present
- Let’s dive into our passage for today … Read Genesis 5:1-32 / Pray
Point 1 – A Hidden Message is Uncovered
- God does something incredible in Chapter 5
-- He reveals 10 generations through Moses’ writing … but why only these?
-- The reason may actually surprise you; and this morning I hope you’ll see it
-- Refer to the chart in your notes … we’ll fill this in together
Adam
- Adam's Hebrew name means man … he is he first man
-- The Hebrew for man (Adam) is related to the Hebrew for ground (adamah)
-- Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.”
Seth
- Adam's was given another son, was named Seth, which means appointed
-- Eve said in Genesis 4:25, "God has granted me another …”
-- Appointed can also be reference to pre-ordained … Seth ref a new beginning
-- It also refers to him having an appointed time to do die; he too is born sinful
Enosh
- Seth's son was called Enosh, root word anash, or “to be incurable”
-- His name specifically means mortal; shows fragility of life, it has an end
Kenan
- Enosh's son was named Kenan, which has strong connection to sorrow
-- He had many sons and daughters in his 910 years, but his is son is most IMP
-- We also see a clear pattern here – these are families who worshiped God
-- How do we know? God’s recollection of them is very significant
Mahalalel
- Kenan's son was Mahalalel
-- Very important: “El” is the name for God
-- Hebrew names often include El as a sign of respect or honor to God
-- For example: the name Dan-i-el means, “God is my Judge”
- Ma-ha-lal means blessed or praise – but when you add in the name of God
-- Ma-ha-lal-el means the blessed God
Jared
- Mahalalel's became the father of Jared when he was 65 years old
-- This name comes from verb “yaradh” which means shall come down
-- It’s a reference that something (promise) will come from above (unknown: what)
-- Jared became the father of Enoch at 162
Enoch
- Specifically, Enoch’s name means teaching
-- FACT: Enoch was the first of four generations of preachers
-- Enoch delivered earliest teaching, or commencement prophecy, of a Messiah
- Specifically, Enoch prophesied about a coming judgement from God
-- Jude 1:14-15, “Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
- Enoch was a man who was recorded as walking very closely with God (v24)
-- We know that Enoch never died - but he was taken up to Heaven (see in Rev)
-- Confirmed in Hebrews 11:5, “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying - “he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.” (wonderful encour. to live)
Methuselah
- Enoch became the father of Methuselah when he was 65 years old
-- “muth” is a root word that means death; “shalach” means bring or send forth
-- Putting these together, his name literally means his death shall bring
- Enoch was the one who received the prophecy of the Great Flood
-- As long as Methuselah was alive, the judgment of the flood would be withheld
-- Why is this important? The year that Methuselah died, the flood came
Lamech
- Methuselah had a son who was named Lamech
-- His name comes from the root word of lament or lamentation (“to make low”)
-- Lamech’s name, in simplest terms, shows condition – it means despairing
-- At your lowest point, you are in despair – without hope, struggling to live
Noah
- Lamech is the father of Noah – his name is derived from “nacham”
-- This comes from the root word that physically means rest (as in, relief from …)
-- Lamech explains this name in Genesis 5:29 … EXP: struggling to live
- So … 10 names specifically listed in an order that gives us undeniable message
-- Consider, there were many other children (ex: Adam was 930 yrs. old)
-- Most people lived to be 800 or 900 years old, lots of generations span time
- TR: Yet, as God directs, Moses only highlights these 10 …
Point 2 – What does it all mean?
- When you examine these names, something becomes very evident
-- Let’s fill in the blanks from the information above and see what comes to light
Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down,
teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing, rest.
- God demonstrates in the earliest chapters of Genesis, He already had a plan
-- His plan is simple: to redeem His creation for the predicament we are in
- Hidden in the meaning of the names in the genealogy is a beautiful presentation
-- Bluntly, it presents the message of saving grace – tells that rescue is ahead
-- In short, it reveals that One will come to rescue us (JESUS)
- Consider:
- It is noteworthy that the phrase “and he died” occurs 8 times in this chapter
-- Emphasizing one fact: Death reigns over mankind (because of sin)
-- Romans 5:12, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
- Yet, because of Jesus, we can live a life of redemption and joy
-- Romans 5:17, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
- It is astonishing to discover how many Biblical controversies can evaporate if:
1. We would recognize the unity of these 66 books, penned by 40 diff. authors
2. Over a span of several thousand years … they all reveal one focus
- See this today: God’s plan of redemption was not a knee-jerk reaction to our sin
-- FACT: He had ordained our rescue before the foundation of the world
-- Not only did God always plan to provide the way of redemption for man
-- He recorded it in man’s lineage to show us that His Grace was always planned
Conclusion
- So, where are you in your reconciliation to God today?
-- God has already provided you and I with everything we need …
-- John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
- With every eye closed and every head bowed
- If God cared so much to show us His grace in Genesis 5, how is it possible for you and me to continue to try to do this ourselves now?
- God’s grace is available, but it means you MUST come and receive it
- Means that you must stop living for yourself and realize that He is the only way
- Pray for:
• Willingness to see God’s provision for your redemption
• Desire to not be in charge; to come to Him for all you need
• Acceptance that the only way to be forgiven is through Jesus Christ
