Genesis 5
METHUSELAH was the next in line—the son of Enoch. His name is familiar to all, for he lived to be 969 years of age—the oldest man on record. Methuselah presents a picture of the long “day of grace” that has now been extended to the world for so great a time. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).
It is interesting to note that this old, old man died the very year that the flood came. Does it not make us think of God’s patience with the world and its rebellious ways? It also reminds us that His patience will someday end and judgment will then fall.
Following Methuselah was Lamech, the father of Noah. Lamech means “overthrower,” and is thought by many to be a type of the godly remnant of Israel who, in the final coming days before God’s judgment is pronounced in full on this world, will be found faithful to Him.
Before proceeding with the story of Noah, let us summarize the 4th and 5th chapters. We have seen two men—Cain and Abel—in whose ways and behavior a course has been set for every person born into the world. Cain, the elder, sought a name for himself and when Abel’s godly walk manifested Cain’s worldly way, he murdered him. Immediately thereafter he “went out from the presence of the LORD.” Cain’s descendants ever since have been the persecutors of God’s people. They were present at the judgment hall of Pilate, demanding the blood of Jesus and they are about us today—resisting the grace of God and busying themselves with this world, although often with el outward display of “religion.”
Then we have looked back at those who followed Abel (who, though dead “yet liveth”) and we have seen the family of Seth some who we Godfearing and whose walk plea God. Those who follow the faith of Seth are about us today too—those who now delight in God’s beloved Son and who through faith have accepted Him as Saviour.
Those named (before Noah) in the 5th chapter are:
SETH: A picture of Christ, the Substitute, or Appointed One.
ENOS: A reminder that man is mortal, subject to death.
CAINAN: Meaning “possessor,” tells of those who, acting in faith’ possess eternal life.
MAHALALEEL: This name means “praise of God”—the character of the new nature given believers.
JARED: His name, meaning “descending,” reminds us of the Holy Spirit descending upon all believers.
ENOCH: A type of the Church, whose true hope is to hear the Saviour’s call to heaven—some to go without dying.
METHUSELAH: Speaking of the day of grace — prolonged so that “whosoever will” may accept salvation.
LAMECH: The “overthrower,” a type of the godly Jewish remnant. In all this we have a lovely outline of the period between the cross of Calvary and a future judgment, with an insight into the ways of God with His people.
ML-09/13/1964