Connect Genesis 5:14 to God's promise of long life in Exodus 20:12. Tracing the Thread of Life • Genesis 5 records the long pre-Flood lifespans, reminding us that the Creator both gives life and numbers our days. • Exodus 20 sets out covenant commands, including a promise of extended life for honoring parents. • Taken together, the verses show that longevity belongs ultimately to God and is bestowed according to His purposes. Reading the Texts • Genesis 5:14 – “So Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.” • Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Observations on Genesis 5:14 • Kenan’s 910 years illustrate a period when God allowed extraordinary human longevity. • The phrase “and then he died” underlines the certainty of death even in an era of lengthy lives. • Each lifespan is recorded exactly, reinforcing Scripture’s historical precision. God’s Principle of Longevity • Life span in Scripture is always tied to God’s sovereign will. • Whether 910 years or 70, every breath is a divine gift. • Long life, therefore, is a blessing God may grant for His own reasons, not a human entitlement. From Antediluvian Genealogies to Sinai’s Command • Genesis shows God capable of granting centuries of life. • At Sinai He attaches a similar blessing—“that your days may be long”—to a specific act of obedience. • The pattern: God first reveals His ability (Genesis), then stipulates the condition (Exodus). Honoring Parents: A Timeless Bridge • Respect for father and mother aligns with the respect shown to earlier generations in Genesis’ genealogies. • By honoring parents, Israelites honored the chain of life God initiated with Adam through Kenan. • The promise ties longevity to relational faithfulness, reflecting God’s heart for generational continuity. Practical Takeaways for Today • Recognize life expectancy, whether long or short, as a trust from God. • Honor parents—biological, adoptive, or spiritual—as an act of obedience that God values. • View genealogies not as dry lists but as testimonies of divine faithfulness across centuries. • Trust that same faithful God to bless obedience in every age, granting life according to His perfect wisdom. |
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