Sunday, December 23, 2007

The Blessing or the one who Blesses?

Simple yet interesting revelation;
In Genesis 5 we read of the lineage of Adam. It's the kind of chapter that becomes tempting to skip over because it's so repetitive. However it's usually in these types of chapters that the Lord slips in something slightly different just to grab your attention! So here's the pattern: We're told someones age at the time they became a father, after this event they live for a certain number of years during which they have other sons and daughters, then, at a particular age they die.
But then we get to verse 21. Enoch was 65 when he became the father of Methuselah. Like the other accounts Enoch continues to live for another 300 years and has other sons and daughters during this time. But there's a few differences. The first one is this: he didn't just live for a further 300 years, it says; 'Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.' (verse 22). A subtle yet significant difference, and perhaps God wanted it to grab our attention? I initially began to think about the blessing of God upon Adam and Eve - be fruitful an multiply (Genesis 1:29). The fact that Adam's descendants where having lots of kids in Genesis 5 was a good thing, but i wondered whether they were indulging in the blessings of God yet neglecting God himself? Perhaps this is why God mentions that Enoch was different, but i also wondered whether this very thing had anything to do with the fact that Enoch didn't die? - the second difference from the other accounts. 'Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.' (verse 23-24). Its almost like God wanted to snap it up and freeze this moment in time, like it was meant to send a prophetic shock wave throughout the course of human history. My mind went to this: 'I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.' (John 6:51). Walking in the blessing of God is where we want to be, but not at the expense of a close relationship with God himself. And the fruit? ...eternal life!

No comments: