 |  |
Enoch was not only `the seventh from Adam' according to birth, but he also marks a
crisis in the development of affairs. Enoch, though living so many years before the Flood
is nevertheless most intimately connected with it. First by the naming of his son,
secondly by his prophetic denunciation of the ungodliness of his day, and thirdly by
reason of his own personal and typical experience. When Enoch was 65 years of age a
son was born to him, whom he named Methuselah, the meaning of which is `At his death
it shall be'. Something therefore of extreme importance was to take place at the death of
Methuselah. Noah, as we have already seen, was 600 years old when the Flood came.
Lamech, his father, was 182 years of age when Noah was born, and Methuselah was 187
at the birth of Lamech (Gen. 5: 25-32). We have therefore the following:
187 Age of Methuselah at birth of Lamech.
182 Age of Lamech at birth of Noah.
600 Age of Noah at the time of the Flood.
--------
969 years
Now Gen. 5: 27 tells us that `all the days of Methuselah were 969 years: and he
died', consequently the prophecy of Enoch was fulfilled to the letter. At his death (i.e.
Methuselah's) it shall be (i.e. the Flood). Incidentally, let us remember with gratitude
that although Methuselah's name must be for ever associated with judgment, yet seeing
he lived longer than any other man has ever lived; it reveals the longsuffering of the
Lord, as though God waited until He could wait no longer.
The second prophecy of Enoch is recorded in Jude 14, 15:
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to
convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have
ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken
against Him."
Before we can understand the import of this prophecy, we must observe the general
trend of the epistle in order to see the appositeness of Enoch's witness. If we glance at
the earlier verses of Jude we shall see not only a reference to human sin of a deep dye in
the mention of Sodom and Gomorrah, but a reference also to angels who kept not their
first estate, and are therefore reserved for judgment.
Looking to the end of the epistle, such outstanding apostates as Cain, Balaam and
Korah are brought forward as examples of the mockers who shall come in the last times.
It is time, therefore, that we consider the structure of the epistle to see just where Enoch's
prophecy comes.