“When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years.” (Gen 5:21-23)
This is my story… As a doctor I delivered many pregnant women. As a pastor, I prayed for many women to become mothers and I rejoiced with them when their children were born. They all look so happy. But in my case it was different! I still remember the feeling I had once my first child was born. I was an unbeliever at that time. I was also very young. I prepared myself mentally and emotionally to be a wife and a doctor. I did not prepare myself enough to be a parent. Motherhood was bestowed upon me by a God I did not know at the time. Our first baby was born as a medical emergency before the expected date of delivery. They were complications… I was a medical student at that time… The doctor said that the chance for the baby boy to live is 50-50. But the baby made it! Oh, the relief… I looked at him… So beautiful… but fragile too… I suddenly became afraid that I will not be able to be a good mother to this baby. I also knew that our relationship will last for a life time. For better or for worst, that is a long time… I felt the mantle of responsibility fall on my young shoulders. Often, this mantle was light and easy but heavy other times. Our baby is a man now. He is a father of children. But the mantle of motherhood is still on me. I feel it. Motherhood thought me many lessons of life I could not have learned otherwise..At the beginning I struggled with it. I felt it as restrictive… But it stayed on… Thank God! .It was only after I became saved that I truly accepted it without complaining when hard days came by. I grew with my children… I now walk with it, in the assurance that God, who gave me these children, He is in charge of their lives and mine… We shall walk together, from beginning to the end. This knowledge makes me happy as a mother! Even as a grandmother… It gets better day by day! Motherhood brought me closer to God! Glory to God!
Enoch is listed among God’s many heroes of faith, but apparently, he wasn’t always such a spiritual champion. Something occurred in Enoch’s life that changed him for being someone who was ordinary into someone who was extraordinary. What was it that changed Enoch so much? He became a father!
Notice that the Bible says that Enoch walked with God ‘after he fathered Methuselah.’What his spiritual life was like before he became a father we’re not told. Scripture seems to indicate that it wasn’t anything special. But after Methuselah was born everything changed. What was it about this child’s birth that changed Enoch?
Parenthood has a way of changing most of us. It’s sobering to suddenly realize that you are responsible for taking care of this little life. But there is more. Enoch also realized that he needed to prepare his son for what was ahead.
Enoch’s son was named ‘Methuselah.’ Many of us know that Methuselah was the oldest man who ever lived. The Bible says that he lived to the ripe old age of 969 years. But Methuselah’s longevity of life was due to more than just good genes. Many believe that his name means: ‘when he dies it will come.’What would come? God’s judgment would come upon the world through a catastrophic flood.
Putting the numbers together, it seems that the year Methuselah died the flood came. Some have gone so far as to say that the day Methuselah died the flood came. How close the flood was to his death we’re not told, but we do see from his unique name and longevity of life that God does all He can to save men from judgment. We read from the book of 2 Peter:
“… in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?’ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet 3:3, 8-9)
We’re not told who gave Methuselah his name. Perhaps it was Enoch. Perhaps it was God. Either way, through Methuselah’s birth, Enoch was suddenly made aware of the fact that he shouldn’t take his walk with God for granted. Parents must realize that they not only have the responsibility of providing for their children, they also have the responsibility of protecting their children, and preparing them for the future! Oh, the wonderful privilege and responsibility to be a mother or a father to children, both natural and spiritual! God bless you parents!
(Me and John, our first born, in Romania, about 1974)
Green Pastures 