Today, our text for reflection focuses on a more detailed account of the descendants of Adam. Apart from Cain, Abel, Seth and others whom we have encountered in previous texts, some other descendants, from different generations are given.
REFLECTION
• The first thing we must note, as I have tried to indicate in the previous reflection, is that the inspired author of this text does not seek to give an accurate account of human history. Rather, he seeks to establish how God abides and operates in human history.
• The text takes us back to the creation of the first human being by God. From speaking of Adam, an individual (…he made him), the author immediately ends up talking about male and female (…he created them; he blessed them). According to the author, God called both the male and female “Adam” (man/human beings). Thus, in this text, the name Adam is used in both its generic and individualistic sense. We must therefore note that both males and females are created in the image and likeness of God. None is superior to the other. Have we felt superior or inferior to others because of our gender?
• Adam is said to have given birth to a son in his likeness. Thus, God’s nature which he bestowed on our first parents was passed on to future generations. Thus, even now, we who are living are still in the image and likeness of God. If God’s nature was passed on from our first parents to their descendants, how difficult is it to understand that the consequence of their sin was also passed on to all other human beings?
• From the text, we see that the span of our ancestors’ life was lengthy. Even though the ages given may not be actual what the author makes us aware that our ancestors lived longer, though they died in the end.
• Also, from the text, we can see that the ages kept falling and falling with the movement from one generation to the other. Does it have any significance for us? Yes. What it means is that as time goes on, the length of days of the human person diminished more and more due to the increase in grave sins. What do we see in our own days? Are people not dying at tender ages? Do we not see greater and more serious sins being committed here and there? Let’s take a clue: Deut 30:19-20
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