Did you miss it?

Did you miss it?

Genesis 5 (New International Version)
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.
22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years.
24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

In the midst of a lineage from Adam to Noah the bible lists 10 men. For each the first born son is named, the age of the father at the time of birth of the first son ,the fact that other children were born ,then the death of the father.

The exceptions to this format jump off the page. Did you miss it?
24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

This is not a simple change in writing style because the next in line, Methuselah , is listed with the same format as all others with the exception of Enoch.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Some notable things about Noah, he was the oldest when he had his first son and he is the only one with more than one son listed in this fifth chapter of Genesis. Could it be that we need to pay particular attention to these sons of Noah. Do they have some special importance in the history of God’s chosen people?

Again, there is a break in pattern which helps us to understand that we need to really pay attention here Did you miss it? When we read the bible, especially the Old Testament, we can easily miss important information when the information is imbedded in lists.

Did you miss it in The Book of Numbers when Moses was given instructions about the numbering of the Children of Israel or did you notice that the tribe of Levi was not to be counted, that these were to be a people set aside for special service to God? Did you miss it that the sons of Joseph were the only ones with more than one man appointed as part of the counting crew and that the children of Joseph had a double portion of responsibility and provision?

I have been sort of reading the Bible since I was a child but I am amazed that it seems a brand new book now that I am reading it with new eyes. There is so much that I did miss and I thank God for opportunities to revisit and gain a better understanding of His Word and the amazing order that’s just waiting to be discovered.

Lord, God, I thank you for Your Word. I thank you for growing understanding and joy in Your Word. I thank you for the gift and guidance of the Holy Spirit as I study Your Word. I ask your blessings on my life and work. I thank you for every opportunity to study and share Your Word.

I invite you to re-read the Word with your new eyes and enjoy the glory of discovering anything you missed.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!