Robert Morgan writes in his book, Always Near, “Whenever we open the pages of our Bible, we’re entering a listening chamber in which God speaks to us personally, specifically, infallibly, and intimately. From my experience, the greatest way to hear God’s voice is through daily Bible reading, memorization, meditation, and saturation.
This is exactly what I hope our time together does – creates a place for you to listen for God’s voice through the pages of Scripture. If you’re new here, go back and listen to the Introduction episode. It will help you get the gist of things so there are no surprises.
These episodes are around 15 minutes and the plan is to post them every work day until we get to the end of Genesis. If you need more time on any given section, just hit pause. Remember, not rushing is what makes this time with Him more beautiful.
OK.
Let’s get started by taking a deep breath,
By releasing the stresses of the day,
And by being still.
-Interlude-
Yesterday, we listened to the story of Cain and Abel. Eve was supposed to bear a son who would crush the serpent’s head, but Cain crushed those hopes when he killed his brother, Abel, and was banished from the land.
I’m wondering where you are in your story? Has hoped vanished? Is sin crouching at your door? Use these next few minutes to take your thoughts to God and tell him all about it.
-Interlude-
The Bible is littered with genealogies and it is easy to skip over them, but every word in Scripture matters – even those that might seem unimportant. Today may feel like one of those days, but keep in mind, God promised Adam & Eve that she would bear a seed – a son – who would crush the snake’s head. Even though Cain crushed Eve’s hopes by murdering his brother, Abel. We saw God restore hope through the birth of Seth. Let’s listen….
Chapter 5
The Descendants of Adam
This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings,* he made them to be like himself. 2 He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.”
3 When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth. 4 After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.
6 When Seth was 105 years old, he became the father of* Enosh. 7 After the birth of* Enosh, Seth lived another 807 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 8 Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.
9 When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the father of Kenan. 10 After the birth of Kenan, Enosh lived another 815 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 11 Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.
12 When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 After the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 14 Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.
15 When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared. 16 After the birth of Jared, Mahalalel lived another 830 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 17 Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.
18 When Jared was 162 years old, he became the father of Enoch. 19 After the birth of Enoch, Jared lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 20 Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.
21 When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 23 Enoch lived 365 years, 24 walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.
25 When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech. 26 After the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 27 Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.
28 When Lamech was 182 years old, he became the father of a son. 29 Lamech named his son Noah, for he said, “May he bring us relief* from our work and the painful labor of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed.” 30 After the birth of Noah, Lamech lived another 595 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 31 Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.
32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
May God bless the reading and hearing of his word.
What did you notice today that you had never noticed before? Did anything jump out at you? Did anything surprise you?
-Interlude-
What questions do you have in light of this passage? Ask God about them and then listen to what He stirs in your heart.
-Interlude-
Did any of the names jump out at you? Did any of them sound familiar? What questions do you have in light of this passage?
-Interlude-
God knew each person by name and He knows your name as well. I love how detailed God is and how important it was for His people to document these lineages. Is there anything God might want you to document? Is there any detail of your life that seems unimportant? Do you think it is important to God? Why?
-Interlude-
Before you ease back into your day, use the next few moments to thank God for what He showed you.
This episode was a little challenging, but I’m proud of you for hanging in there. Just like any relationship, your time with God won’t always be exciting, but I believe He is blessed by the time we spend with Him – even in the tedious details of genealogies and ordinary life.
I hope you enjoyed this episode of Coffee with Christ. If you are loving what we do here, don’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends. Let’s invite someone to be changed by God’s word because it changes us verse by verse and chapter by chapter.
Have a great day and join me on Monday for our next episode.