At It Again - Devotionals from MY Bible - Day 2

Genesis 5:24 - Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Genesis 5 - Adam: 930 years, Seth: 912 years, Enosh: 905 years, Kenan: 910 years, Mahalalel: 895 years, Jared: 962 years, Enoch: 365 years; Methuselah: 969 years, & Lamech: 777 years

     We humans put a lot of weight on numbers.  We need to stay in the black, out of the red.  We like to see how much money we earn or are worth. We like to know how old someone is at his/her birthday celebration. We like to know how many miles to the gallon we get. We like to know how much something costs or how it has appreciated in value.  We like to know how many years apart couples are and what drew them together. When we're little kids we want to know "How many?"
     It's funny to think that the God of the universe who is timeless would make humans and watch us obsess about time and numbers.  So, I've highlighted the numbers above in my Bible because it blows my mind that humans used to live that long.  We consider it a miracle these days if someone lives to be 100.  But 969 years old!
      Now there's lots of talk around what God sees as a day or a year verses what man sees as a day or year.  I've heard speculation that 1 human day is 1 year for God, or 100 years for him, or even 1000 years for him.  I've also heard speculation in the opposite that 1 human year is 1 day for God, or 100 years is 1 day, or even 1000 years is 1 day for him.
     Time does not concern me.  However, I like to have fun with numbers:  The average human life expectancy is around 70 years old today (give or take for those who want to be exact).  That means that 35 is the "middle" of your life.  Typically today couples are waiting longer to have kids, so around 30 is about average.  We live for 30 years, have kids, then age...respectively.
      During the life and times of these men, the numbers can be drastically different.  The average human life expectancy then was 847 years old.  "Middle" aged was 424 years old!!!!  So, the time to start having kids, comparatively with today's averages, would be 419 years old!!!  Can you even conceive such a thing?!
      Now, while these numbers are HUGE, know that they must have aged like we age now.  Because at the age of 65, both Mahalalel and Enoch began having children.  If they didn't age like we age, that would have been like a 9 year old dad.  So, we must assume that in some respects they aged like us.  Perhaps for them, 65 was the new 30?
      Anyway you slice the numbers, it is remarkable to me that at one time, the followers of God walked the earth for so long.  It's an amazing thing to speak with someone who is 80-100 years old to see how much things changed.  Can you image the change these men got to see?  Moving on...

Genesis 5:24 - Imagine walking with God.  What does your mind's eye capture?  Is he young or old? Is he clean shaven or neatly trimmed or scraggly looking?  Does he put you at ease or make your nervous?  Is it like being with an old friend or a new acquaintance?  Is there a brilliant radiating light or is it just "normal"?
     The previous verse states that Enoch walked with God for 300 years.  What did he do for his first 65?  Was he a sinner or perfect?  I like to think he was like me...a human sinner in need of redemption.  It took him 65 years and a kid to find God.  Not too shabby!  Then he walked with God for 300 years.  I'd like to think that this relationship is similar to that of Adam and Eve's before their fall.  It was an open, happy, beautifully working relationship.  Enoch would talk, God would listen and vice versa.  It must have been a great thing.
      Even more inspiring is the fact that he was taken away by God.  He didn't have to see that final sleep.  He didn't have to die that death and be buried in the ground or a tomb.  No!  He got to walk with God and then God put His around Enoch and said, "Come on, buddy.  It's time to go home."  Wow!
      In my mind's eye, I picture it similar to the final calling of the faithful to Christ.  You know, how the picture comes to mind that everyone who believes and is saved just disappears?!  But the other half of me tries to cope with how his family must have felt.  I mean, dying of old age at least allows you to say "Good-bye" to your loved ones.  You can bestow your blessing on them, hug them, hold them, comfort them while they try to do the same to you.  How must if have been for Enoch's family?

     Today's devotional is not about having the answers.  I'm human. I'm not in seminary nor have I studied any seminary classes. I try to listen to God and dole out some of the wisdom he has bestowed on me.  If you want answers to any of the things swimming in your head, seek God.  He's got all the answers.  Begin a relationship with Him.  Walk with Him daily.  Read His word daily.  Ask a preacher or teacher of the "Law" for help.
     Let the questions of my devotional swim for a while.  I think God leaves things open because were not supposed to fully understand them.  Ah, the great mystery writer, He is!

Tomorrow's Verses:
    Genesis 6:8 - But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
    Genesis 6:22 - Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
    Genesis 8:22 - "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter,   day and night will never cease."

Enjoy!