Genesis 5: Such Long Lives! But Almost All of Them Died

Some say it’s a rookie mistake to try and read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Why? The “begats.” There are plenty of places in the Bible where we get lists of genealogies, inventories, and other detailed records. It’s easy to get stuck in these places or skip over them. Genesis 5 is like those, but it is more than a record of who begat whom, it’s a slow drumbeat of mortality following the fall: “and he died… and he died…” The curse marches on. And yet, tucked in the middle of this graveyard of names is a flicker of something different. One man didn’t die. He walked with God and then he was not. What does that mean? Listen in as we uncover the gospel hidden in the genealogy and why this chapter still points us to Jesus.

The Rev. Dr. Keith Haney, Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care, and Stewardship in the Iowa West District--LCMS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Genesis 5.

Genesis isn’t just the start of the Bible; it’s the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal.

In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you’ve read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.