Genesis 5:12-17: a reflection

12Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel. 13Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters 14and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died. 15Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared. 16Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 17All of the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.

In the genealogy that traces the generations from Adam, a solemn refrain repeats after each name. Kenan lived nine hundred ten years, then he died. Mahalalel lived eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died. However long they lived, and these lived very long, the account ends each life the same way: then he died. The long years did not exempt them from death; every one, however many his days, came at last to the same end. The refrain then he died sounds through the generations, a reminder that death comes to all, however long we live, and that our days, however many, come to an end.

Notice the refrain that closes each life: then he died. These were long lives, hundreds of years; yet each ended the same way. The length of their years did not change the ending; death came to all, however long they lived. The refrain is a sober reminder of our mortality: however many our days, we too will come to the same end. The long lives of the ancients did not escape death; neither will we escape it. Then he died: the end that comes to all, that no length of years avoids. The genealogy, for all its long numbers, is punctuated by death, reminding us that our days, however many, are numbered and will come to an end.

That is worth taking to heart, for we are mortal, and the reminder that all die calls us to live wisely with the days we have. We can live as though our days were unlimited, forgetting that we too will come to the same end that came to all before us; but the refrain then he died reminds us of our mortality, that our days are numbered and will end. This is not morbid but sobering, calling us to number our days and live wisely with the time we have. Do not live as though your days were unlimited, forgetting your mortality; remember that death comes to all, and live wisely with the days you have. Live wisely with the days you have, mindful of your mortality, remembering that death comes to all however long we live, as the refrain then he died sounds through the generations; for our days are numbered and will come to an end, and the reminder of our mortality calls us not to waste our days but to live them wisely before God.

Lord, in the genealogy that traces the generations from Adam, a solemn refrain repeats after each name. Kenan lived nine hundred ten years, then he died. Mahalalel lived eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died. However long they lived, and these lived very long, the account ends each life the same way: then he died. The long years did not exempt them from death; every one, however many his days, came at last to the same end. Show me the refrain that closes each life: then he died. These were long lives, hundreds of years; yet each ended the same way. The length of their years did not change the ending; death came to all. The refrain is a sober reminder of my mortality: however many my days, I too will come to the same end. The long lives of the ancients did not escape death; neither will I escape it. The genealogy, for all its long numbers, is punctuated by death, reminding me that my days are numbered and will come to an end. Take that to my heart, for I am mortal, and the reminder that all die calls me to live wisely with the days I have. I can live as though my days were unlimited, forgetting that I too will come to the same end that came to all before me; but the refrain then he died reminds me of my mortality. This is not morbid but sobering, calling me to number my days and live wisely with the time I have. Keep me from living as though my days were unlimited, forgetting my mortality; help me remember that death comes to all, and live wisely with the days I have, Lord, mindful that my days are numbered, not wasting them but living them wisely before you.