1. The repeated account of birth and death
a. The genealogy of Adam shared the similar features of the creation of God
v.1-2 When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female
v.3-4 When Adam had lived 130 years he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image...during this time he had other sons and daughters
Summary: Therefore, mankind is supposed to reflect on God's likeness and image, no matter we are male or female.
b. Every one in the genealogy died even they were all have very very long life.
Implication: The repetition reflects the hopeless future of mankind until the following 2 persons appeared.
2. The break brings the hope-Enoch
a. the similarity between Enoch and Seth
5:22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God for 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters
4: 26 And a son was also born to Seth, whom he named Enosh. At that time people began to worship the LORD.
The walking with God is repeated x2. Enoch's practice continued after his son's birth to his entire lifetime
walk with-(BDB)walk about = live...denoting intimacy, fellowship; (NET) used in 1 Sam 25:15 to describe how David’s men maintained a cordial and cooperative relationship with Nabal’s men as they worked and lived side by side in the fields. In Gen 5:22 the phrase suggests that Enoch and God “got along.” This may imply that Enoch lived in close fellowship with God, leading a life of devotion and piety
b. 5:24 then he disappeared because God took him away.
took away-(NET) The text simply states that God took Enoch. Similar language is used of Elijah’s departure from this world (see 2 Kgs 2:10). The text implies that God overruled death for this man who walked with him.
The entire lifetime of Enoch was 365 years. Comparing with others who lived around 800-900 y.o. at that time, Enoch was till young. His disappearance was obviously not due to death.
Summary: Both father do something spiritually after they became the father. That is the effect of fatherhood. Their little bundle of joy teaches them something about God. In Enoch case, God is Someone that he wanted to have a very close fellowship with for the rest of his life. His life now had a new focus, not on his son Methuselah, but on the Giver of Methuselah. That pleases God so much that He gave him the exception of death which is what all mankind deserved.
Reflection: Throughout these thousands of years mankind supposed to reflect on God's image and likeness, but we all have sinned and we all died. The birth of a child is a chance of parent to look up to God. For some that moment change their lives and they were tremendously blessed by God. The hopeless was given a hope when they just tried to respond to the thing God gave to them. How do I respond to God what He did something amazing to me? Did that turn into a lifetime practice for me?
3. The comfort from the curse-Noah
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah, saying, “This one will bring us comfort from our labor and from the painful toil of our hands because of the ground that the LORD has cursed.”
The curse for Adam in 3:17 was not mentioned again nor the comfort from it was not found until now. Although we dont know the details, but from the pattern of people having a child and remembering God maybe that was the reason why Lamech found relief from the curse. God is good to mankind and gives us blessings even when we sinned against Him.
Reflection: What brings me relief in my painful toil of hands? Is it the remembering of God's grace and blessings? Do I bring relief to other people from their painful toil? The curse will not be lifted until the Messianic kingdom, but in the mean time some people will bring people relief. Baby Noah probably did not do much when Lamech said that in v.29, but his presence had already brought comfort. Whom will be comforted by my presence?
Questions:
1 The other sexes could not procreate and they would distinct.
2 No competition. Land are plenty as well as other resources. No pollution and disease probably was few. People worked out by working in the field
3 walk with-(BDB)walk about = live...denoting intimacy, fellowship; (NET) used in 1 Sam 25:15 to describe how David’s men maintained a cordial and cooperative relationship with Nabal’s men as they worked and lived side by side in the fields. In Gen 5:22 the phrase suggests that Enoch and God “got along.” This may imply that Enoch lived in close fellowship with God, leading a life of devotion and piety
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