I am looking at Genesis chapter 4 verses 16-24, through to Chapter 5, the third generation, today, Methuselah.
Yesterday he gave the illustration of the famous swimmer Dawn Fraser who won Olympic Gold in the same 100 metre event at three successive Olympics, yet her life was much more than that one aspect of her life.
So too in the Genesis account of the second half of chapter 4 we read of people and what they specifically engaged in and the single highlight of their life and contribution.
Methuselah is the sixth generation from Seth there was Enos (who looked at yesterday), Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch and then Methuselah.
When Enos comes on the scene, the text of Genesis 4 verse 26 reads as follows:
"(Seth) called his name Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the Lord."
The other side of the family leads to polygamy and ultimately the Flood such was the judgement upon the wickedness of man.
The family line from Seth however had a focus on the Lord and this impacted following generations. This became evident when we read about Enoch who was such a man of God that Methuselah was obviously raised in this same manner.
From what is understood by the major commentaries, it appears as though Methuselah died seven days before the great Flood of Noah, as it is suggested that in Genesis 7 verse 10 "after seven days" means there were seven days of mourning for Methuselah.
This also reflects Methuselah's godly life.
As Noah's grand-father he would have played an important role in leading his grand son into truth and godly living.
It is claimed in ancient Jewish writings that Methuselah went around preaching to the people with his grand-son Noah about the dread that was to come if people did not turn from their wickedness and in turn serve the Living God.
Like his father Enoch, Methuselah had faith in God and walked a life wholly given to following the Lord in all that he undertook.
The Genesis story therefore in this capsule of time, has specific purposes in instruction and benefiting us all today.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children