Lives and Legacies: First Ladies of the Bible. Cheryl Rhodes

was gracious to us and gave us another son. I called him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel” (Gen. 4:25–26, 5:3). A child is always a blessing, but in this case, an obedient child to replace obedient Abel was a blessed blessing.

      Six generations later, when we had lived nine hundred twenty two years, one of Seth’s descendants, another Enoch, developed a habitual walk in fellowship with God. And God took him to heaven without his dying (Gen. 5:24). What an encouragement to us in our old age. God was/is still available to those who desire a relationship with Him, still communing with humans after all the grief we’d caused Him, still loving and powerful on our behalf.

      The sons of God—quite possibly fallen angels—took wives of all the daughters of men they desired. There were giants on the earth in those days as the sons of God, living with the daughters of men, produced them. These became the mighty men who gained a name for themselves by their feats of conquest. Not by their creating, you understand, but by their conquest. The alternative plan. The enemy’s plan.

      Then The LORD said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, for he is only flesh. His days will now be one hundred twenty years.” Quite a change from our nine hundred thirty years.

      The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually (Gen. 6:5). Does that sound like your day?

      The Scripture says that God regretted that He had made man on the earth and grieved. I think grief is the only reasonable response to the sin in this world.

      I’ve grieved it. I grieved the grief we caused The Benevolent Creator. Do you grieve at the wickedness of your generation? You’re in good company, if you do. In company with The LORD God Almighty and His judgment of sin.

      But remember Enoch and that wonderful testimony: he walked in habitual fellowship with The LORD. You can live in habitual fellowship with The LORD God. How great is that? Only the best opportunity ever open to humans. Don’t miss it. Habitual fellowship with The LORD God is the only way to live and the only way to prepare for eternity.

      You’ll not want to miss the perfection of the new heaven and new earth which The Almighty has in store for those who choose His will and His way. He created the paradise into which Adam and I were created in just six days. He’s been preparing the new heaven and earth for two thousand years (John 14:2). The LORD wants you to enjoy that and Him. That day is coming.

      Until then, I pray that your desire is to bring pleasure to your Creator. Order your life after His Word. Fulfill the purpose for which you were created. Be a good steward. Acknowledge His right to reign, to control, to be Creator over the creatures of His creation.