The Offspring

Welcome! Today we continue our study of Genesis and the Psalms.

Read Psalm 5

Quote: "Psalm 5 is a psalm of prayer against the false teachers and the rebellious spirits. It harshly condemns both their glistening teaching and their works, by which - under the name of God - they do harm to the pure Word of God and the true worship of God. The psalm prays for the righteous, that is, for the pure Word of God and the pure worship of God. In the last verse it promises that such prayer will be heard and the rebellious spirits will be condemned." Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 22.

Read Genesis 5

Meditation:

Genesis chapter 5 gives us a genealogy. We might be tempted to label these parts more "boring." But if we remember that Scripture reveals to us Christ and the plan of salvation he carries out, we might be less quick to gloss over tedious parts that provide us an abundance of details, dates, names, etc.

So, looking at this with Christological glasses, what is it all about? Genesis 5 traces for us the "offspring" or literally "seed" that would bruise the serpent's head. First promised in Genesis 3:15, this offspring would bring salvation to mankind. St. Paul makes sure to point out that it doesn't say "offsprings" or "seeds." It's not plural, referring to future peoples, races, or nations. It is singular. There is one offspring of Adam and Eve who will save.

And so, their genealogy becomes important because the promised is passed along from Adam all the way to Mary and Joseph, to whom Jesus was given. In Genesis 5 we see Adam to Noah. Elsewhere we will see it filled in more and more. Luke is the one who carries the line of Christ all the way back to Adam.

Jesus is the promised Savior. In him we have rescue from the Devil. He defeats Satan's kingdom. Jesus' Word will prove to be true, but Satan's lies in the mouth of men will lead to death. Their throats are open graves (Psalm 5).

A final note about the names and dates - can we use these to date the earth? A bishop in Ireland in the 17th century thought he could. James Ussher dates creation to the night before Oct. 23, 4004 B.C. Is he right?

Maybe not exactly. We have to leave some "wiggle room" for variant readings (Yes, some parts of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts are a little unclear, but the Bible has been marvelously preserved. Most variant readings do not make a difference. A few keep us confused. None affect our faith!). In addition, it is possible in the language of the text that some generations may have been skipped. (When someone "father's" someone in the Bible, they are literally "begetting" someone, and this word can describe a relationship that is not necessarily a father/son relationship, but could be a grandfather/grandson relationship). Matthew most certainly skips some people in his genealogy to make a theological point. Could that have happened in Genesis 5? It doesn't seem like it, but we have to admit it is possible.

While we can't pinned down the date of Creation for certain, we can tell from God's Word that we have a "young" Earth. The Earth is certainly NOT millions of years old. It is probably in the 6,000 to 8,000 year range.

But what about scientific evidence? The truth is the evidence doesn't prove one way or the other. If it did, then evolutionists wouldn't keep pushing the date of the earth back further and further, saying it is older and older. I think the age of the universe is purported by them to be in the area of 4 billion years old now. It seems like the more difficult it becomes to sell evolution, they cover it up by adding a few more million years, a few million there.

No. They are assuming an old earth. The Bible reveals a young earth. And evidence has not and will not disprove what the Bible says. So it comes down to this - will you believe God's Word? Or, if you change the Bible to say something that it does not, then how do you know that what it says about Jesus Christ is true?

If you choose to believe evolution, I think that is the struggle you have to contend with. And that is shaky ground to stand upon.

This genealogy in Genesis 5 sure isn't boring! Oh, here's one more tidbit for you. If you do the math, you discover that Noah's father, Lamech, died 5 years before the flood. Noah's grandfather Methuselah (the oldest recorded person, living 969 years!) died the year of the flood. Put that in your Bible trivia file.

Ask Yourself:

What are the lies of the Devil that are seeking to drag you into an open grave?

Jesus breaks the power of Satan and saves you from his kingdom of wickedness. How does that look in your life?

What will your response be today?

Pray:

Psalm 5:11 "Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread you protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you."

Study with me tomorrow.

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!