I come from a family tree of Christians.
That’s not meant to be a boastful statement. It’s the fact of my family tree. My lineage has been walking with Jesus for a long time. We have many stories of the Lord’s faithfulness, provision, and redemption.
But even if we didn’t have a long history of following Jesus, He preserved my family. You and I both come from a long history of humanity.
How far back can you trace your family tree? We Westerners usually can’t recall more than a couple of generations, but when we get to the Bible, we see something different.
In the Bible (and most of the Eastern and Native American world), genealogies are very important. Family history matters. Knowing the stories and passing them along are important.
At the end of Genesis 4, Seth replaced Able in Adam’s lineage. So, we see here how God preserved His image from Adam down to Noah, who survived the flood and “restarted” the human race.
Another unique feature of this genealogy is the mention of their deaths. This is another reminder of the profundity and extent of the curse of sin, which is working its way through the human race. Indeed, “the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a, NIV.
It may be tempting to skip over genealogies, but there’s an invitation to see how the Lord preserves a family line for His divine purposes. Take some time and read Genesis 5:3-32.
When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.
When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.
When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.
When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.
When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.
When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.
When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Genesis 5:3-32, New International Version
Here ends the lineage of the “Image of God” from Adam to Noah. Walking with God spared Enoch from physical death. Noah, who was also faithful to God, would be responsible for repopulating the planet through his sons after the flood (starting next week).
Lineages, although somewhat difficult to read, establish patterns and legitimacies. In our Western mindset, we may not value them as much, but witnessing the “image of God” being passed on from generation to generation also demonstrates God’s provision and grace.
How has the Lord changed your family tree?
Life Meets Theology 