By In the Garden of Eden, God warned Adam and Eve that if they disobey the only prohibition given them, that they would definitely die (Genesis 2:17). However, they did not die immediately in chapter 3 when they disobeyed. Does this mean God’s judgment was a mere idle threat with no real consequences? This is where Genesis chapter 5 answer the question.
A chapter often skipped for its list of uncommon names and large numbers, there is a simple phrase repeated throughout the chapter that makes it a chapter that is very easy to understand.
Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20
Even the exception to the pattern in Genesis 5 was still removed from this earth, albeit through extraordinary, somewhat unexplained, grace,
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Genesis 5:24
Then back to the pattern again,
Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:27, 31
And then the list gets interrupted for the son of Lamech was Noah, and that is what chapter 6 is all about. But even chapters 6 to 9 are about the rest of the world dying because of their sin.
God’s judgments always come true. The reason for any delay, is because in His great justice, the Lord always shows great patience and mercy too.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come
2 Peter 3:9-10