Synopsis
The many genealogies that we find in the Bible are unlikely to be anyone's favourite portion of the Word of God. If we are to be honest with ourselves, we would admit that we easily get bored while reading through a long list of names, some of which we can hardly even pronounce correctly! When we read a passage such as Genesis 5, we ought to ask "O God, what are you teaching us from this list of names and a brief description of their lives? What do you want us to learn?".
2 Tim 3:16 tells us that "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness". Therefore, chapter 5 of the Book of Genesis is no less inspired than any of the other passages of the Bible.
In this sermon, we consider the purpose of this genealogy. We further consider some important observations from the passage, as well as their implications for all of us, not only in this life, but also beyond the grave. The inevitable mortality of humanity is evident in this passage, as echoed through the words "... and he died" (verses 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27 and 31).
