Genesis 5; Psalm 2

Genesis 5 is a genealogy. Tucked somewhere in the middle, vv. 22-24, we read, "And Enoch walked with God after he begot Methuselah three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and give years. And Enoch walked with God: and he was not, for God took him." Enoch was one of two men in the Bible whom God took to heaven without their dying. The other was Elijah (2 Kings 2:3,5.) All we really know about Enoch from this passage is that he was in the godly line of Seth (which produced Noah) and that he walked with God.  Apparently, he was a man of faith in a wicked world. We'll learn more about the world in Enoch's day in chapter 6. Enoch is remembered in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:5, "By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God." What was it about Enoch that pleased God? It was his faith. He believed God and trusted Him. Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." May we all be people of faith! "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

Psalm 2
Psalm 1 gave us a picture, actually a contrast, between a godly person and an ungodly. Much of what was said about these two types of people can also be said about nations. Psalm 2: 1-3 tells about nations that rebel against God. Vv. 4-6 tell us of God's reaction. This is not how we usually view God in the 21st century. Yet, we must remember that although God is loving and gracious and merciful to us His children who come to Him as repentant sinners, He is also just. Sin must be punished, paid for so to speak. If an individual refuses God's gift of forgiveness which He offers by sending Jesus to pay for our sin, we must pay for it ourselves. And this is a terrible thought.

Vv 7-9 actually look forward to the coming Jesus, the Son! He came once as our Savior, and He will return as King to rule the nations!

And so, what does this mean to us?  Vv. 10-12

• Serve the LORD with fear. (respect and reverence)
• Kiss the Son. Remember that this is poetry! I believe it means that we should embrace Jesus as our Lord and Savior--accept His wonderful gift of salvation and bow down to Him and serve Him.
• We are to put our trust in Him, first for salvation, and then for wisdom and strength to live for Him.

"Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12