This is not a well known part of the early history of man kind after the creation of man and man's fall (sin), but it does reveal a great deal about the development of human kind in this early period.
Mark Tronson is one of those theologians who believes the Bible and takes the text as being not only instructive for Christian living and beneficial for our well-being, but it reveals the essentials to understand the history of man.
He recognises that when the text provides one verse to describe the entire life and contribution of a person, there is obviously a whole lot more about that person's life in that one verse.
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. Tomorrow, the tenth and final article, we'll look at Lamech, the father of Noah.
