READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 9, 2024: GENESIS 5, MATTHEW 5, PSALM 4                                         GENESIS 5                                                                                                                                                       Here is another one of those wonderful genealogies, this time spanning 10 generations. Aside from Father “A” having Son “B,” what are some interesting nuggets within the text?   

• Long Life: Although we have folks with impressive length of years in our church, these initial descendants of Adam lived many times longer. How could that happen? There is no explanation given, but we see climate change occurring during our lifetimes. The environment many thousands of years ago was drastically different than today. For example, it hadn’t even rained yet before the flood. Maybe that made a difference
• Following the Line: Notice, the line traced from one generation to another only includes one heir in each generation. Of all Adam’s children, the line only goes through his third son Seth rather than his other children. This line matches the line in Luke 3. The Bible leaves out lots of details, but tells us what we need to know to believe (John 21: 24-25).
• The Afterlife: After he had his son Methuselah at age 65, Enoch walked with God for 300 years. Because of Enoch’s great relationship with God, God took him without his having experienced death. This seems like the first hint of being rewarded with eternal life after an earthly life that pleased God. God took him so that he could live constantly in the presence of God. Somehow his life on earth determined his eternal destiny. 
• Fatherhood: Enoch is also a good example for all who are fathers in that it mentions he began this faithfulness when he became a father. Ephesians 6: 4 specifically says it is the father’s job to instruct his children in the Lord. How are we doing with our kids, fathers?
• Intergenerational Memory: It is remarkable that Lamech, the ninth generation in the line, knew all about the sins of his fore-parents Adam and Eve. He specifically mentions the fall and its effects in Genesis 5:30. This was before Ancestory.com existed. Apparently passing down stories from one generation to another was a much bigger deal in this culture than in ours.

Rather than listing prescribed implications here for our lives based upon the above observations, perhaps we could make our own lists on how some or all of the five highlighted bullet points above might relate to our lives and our families in 2024. 

MATTHEW 5

Many sermon series have been preached and many study guides have been written about the Beatitudes. Usually, each sermon or each lesson looks at each Beatitude in isolation. Instead of approaching them this way again, consider how they interact with and modify each other. 

For example, one could be a peacemaker by agreeing that all beliefs and behaviors are fine if they are sincerely held. But this would be at the expense of hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 9, 2024 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 5, PSALM 4

On the other hand, one could be persecuted, seemingly for holding the truth, but advocate for the truth in a harsh way. All the Beatitudes must be followed in balance to receive the promised blessing.  Paul calls this balanced approach “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15), which he says is vital if we are to “grow up in all aspects into Him [Christ].”

Some have interpreted Jesus’s direction about not putting our light under a bushel as making sure everyone knows about all our good deeds and what great people we are. Notice, though, that the verses about being salt and light immediately follow the Beatitudes. It seems clear from the context that just by following all the Beatitudes, “others will see your good works and glorify your Father is in heaven.”  No self-promotion is needed or helpful.

Jesus wants us to aspire to be great in the kingdom of heaven. Notice His three categories

The rest of the chapter compares Old Testament standards with the higher standards of Jesus:

PSALM 4   

Let’s apply these reassuring words to any problems we are facing at this moment:

• Remember back to when God relieved us during a tough time.
• If we believe in Jesus, consider that the Lord has set us apart for Himself.
• No matter what we feel, trust that the Lord hears us when we call Him.
• If we are trembling physically or emotionally, let’s not sin but mediate on God.
• Let’s believe that the Lord will, WILL! put gladness in our hearts again. 
• Let’s lie down and sleep at night knowing God alone can make us secure and that He alone is enough.