Daily a new Bible text for devotion - EZBB

Genesis 5:29

Lamech was Noah's father. The name Noah means consolation or rest. And when we read this passage, we imagine what pains, difficulties, or sufferings Lamech was facing to give his son this name? Jesus said that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Lamech was perhaps exhausted from the hard work of agriculture, under the sun, plowing the land. So, upon the birth of a son, he gave him this name as a hope for better days. But the question is, was Lamech prophesying about his son's life? Some scholars say yes. But they are very crude in restricting to agriculture what is applicable to all the miseries of human life that proceed from God's curse and are fruits of sin. For, under one type of work, he encompasses the entire miserable state into which humanity had fallen.

For, undoubtedly, we must remember what Moses related above, concerning the laborious, sad, and anxious life with which Adam was condemned: and as the wickedness of man increased daily, no mitigation of the penalty could be expected unless the Lord brought unexpected help. It is probable that they sincerely sought God's mercy; for their faith was strong, and need ardently urged them to desire help. But, as the name was not rashly given to Noah, we may therefore deduce that this name certainly carries a meaning.

Lamech clearly saw the fulfillment of the divine promises. He spoke concerning his son Noah: "This one will comfort us". While the first Lamech will be remembered for his arrogance, the second, for his longing for hope. He awaited what God had promised in Genesis 3:15 and certainly never imagined that his son's mission was crucial to preserving a human seed and thus bringing about the future birth of the Messiah. None of us can measure the impact that our dedication to the Kingdom of Christ can have on the society to which we belong. When we clearly see God's promises regarding His eternal plan of redemption, our smallest acts of obedience can bear fruit that will impact generations. Dare to obey Christ!