Articles
There Remains a Rest
Reading: Genesis 5
The fifth chapter of Genesis records humanity’s family tree branching from Adam to Noah. Two names that are given special attention are Enoch (vv. 22-24) and Noah’s father, Lamech (vv. 28-29).
While more divine revelation is given about Enoch, “the seventh from Adam” (Jude 1:14-15), all that is said here is that “Enoch walked with God.” Any of us would gladly accept this simple yet beautiful epitaph to go on our headstones once we die. And yet Enoch, who it is said about, did not experience death—“for God took him” (v. 24).
Then, before embarking on Noah’s story, the Bible records the origin of his name with his father Lamech’s words: “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief (or, rest) from our work and the painful toil of our hands” (v. 29). This quote acknowledges that humanity still suffers the punishment of God from the garden (Genesis 3:17), while also prophesying that Noah will play a role in alleviating that suffering. Practically speaking, a son would be of help to his family working the ground as an individual, but Noah’s part in God’s plan would also address the curse of the ground (Genesis 8:21).
The concept of rest presents itself twice in this chapter: after he walked with God, Enoch was taken by God as opposed to dying, thereby entering his rest from life on earth. We also have Noah’s name, which sounds like the Hebrew word for “rest.” As we look for Jesus in Genesis, we discover that God pursues His plans to restore His creation to Himself—not as mankind might imagine or attempt to achieve on our own, but through His means and time. Even today, there remains a rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9) who walk with God by the grace extended to us through Noah’s descendant, Jesus Christ.
