Morning
“Abide in me.”
Genesis 5:21-24
Our reading leads us to think upon that eminent saint of the antediluvian church, Enoch, the seventh from Adam.
Genesis 5:21-24
Here it is worthy of notice that the sacred writer says once that Enoch “lived;” but he changes the word and writes Enoch “walked with God” thus teaching us that communion with God was Enoch’s life, and truly so it ought to be ours. He was not a mere talker about God, but a walker with God. This holy patriarch lived in unbroken intercourse with the Lord for three hundred years, not now and then visiting with God, but habitually walking with him. This is a point of great difficulty. To draw near to God is comparatively easy; but to remain in undivided fellowship, “this is the work, this is the labour.” Yet the Holy Spirit can enable us to accomplish even this. Continued communion is what we should aim at, and we should not be content with anything short of it.
Some excuse themselves from seeking after unbroken fellowship with God because of their calling, their circumstances, and their numerous engagements. Enoch had the cares of a family upon him, and he was also a public preacher, and yet he kept up his walk with God: no business or household cares should make us forget our God. Society with God is the safety of saints, it is their solace and delight, it is their honour and crown. More to be desired is it than gold, yea, than much fine gold. Happy was Enoch to enjoy it so sweetly, and so continuously. The long intercourse of this good man with his God ended in his being borne away from earth without death to that place where faith is lost in sight. He did not live like others, and therefore he did not die like others.
Paul tells us a little more concerning this holy man, and we will gather up the fragments of his history which remain on record, that nothing may be lost.
Hebrews 11:5 , Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:5 , Hebrews 11:6
Faith was the spring from which his communion was derived. Works do not make us walk with God; but faith brings us into his presence, and keeps us there. It is very likely that Enoch’s pious conversation did not please men, but that little mattered since it pleased God.
Jude 1:14 , Jude 1:15
From Jude we learn that Enoch had an eye to the coming of Christ. The pure in heart who see God are the seers of their age, and look far ahead of others. What Enoch saw he told forth for the warning of others, and it is our duty to do the same, that sinners may be led to flee from the wrath to come.
Jude 1:14 , Jude 1:15
How important is the doctrine of the advent of the Lord from heaven, since so early in the world’s history one of the holiest of prophets proclaimed it. There must surely be some very powerful influence in this truth, since the greatest teachers of it mentioned in Scripture were also among the most eminent for close fellowship with heaven. Enoch “walked with God” Daniel was a “man greatly beloved” and John was “that disciple whom Jesus loved.” O Lord, if the expectation of thy coming will make us walk with thee, be pleased to fill us with it.
Sun of my soul, thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if thou be near,
Oh! may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide thee from thy servant’s eyes.
Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without thee I cannot live;
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without thee I dare not die.
Evening
“The end of all things is at hand.”
Genesis 6:5-22
At first men lived for hundreds of years, but a few generations of long-lived men sufficed to make the race very wicked; and, when the holy seed of Seth intermarried with the graceless race of Cain, the people of God degenerated, the salt lost its savour, and the whole earth became corrupt.
Genesis 6:5
What a charge against man, and it is true of us all still.
Genesis 6:8
What a blessed but was that. In the midst of wrath the Lord remembered mercy; even as in punishing sin he remembers Christ and all those who are of his family. The distinction made was the fruit of grace. It is not said that Noah deserved preservation, but Noah found grace.
Genesis 6:9
In this he was a worthy descendant of Enoch.
Genesis 6:11
Those who are corrupt towards God are sure to be violent towards men.
Genesis 6:15
In all our actions we must follow the divine rule. If our religious observances have not this inscription upon them ”Thus saith the Lord,” they will profit us nothing.
Genesis 6:16
Noah must make the ark after God’s plan, and those who expect to be saved must receive salvation in God’s way. Not our whims but God’s word must guide us.
Genesis 6:18-20
As Noah was the preserver of life so is Jesus; and as he became the new head of the saved race, so our Lord is the Head of his church, which is the seed saved out of the world.
Genesis 6:22
Noah’s faith led him to obedience. If we would be saved from the destruction which is coming upon the world, we must submit ourselves without reserve to the commands of our Lord Jesus. We shall not be saved for keeping the commands of God, but if we have true faith we shall prove it by following the Lord’s directions.
O Lord, we praise thy sovereign grace,
Grace o’er the raging flood supreme.
How well didst thou secure the race
Thou hadst determined to redeem.
They in the ark serenely housed,
Smiled on the universal wreck.
Fierce were the waves by vengeance roused,
But mercy held them all in check.