Commentary and Reflection:
God created Adam in His image and Seth bore the image of Adam. Thus the divine image comes to us, although altered by the effects of sin. The Bible tells us that Enoch walked with God. “Walking with God” refers to a close relationship with Him, praying regularly, consulting Him, appreciating His Word, trusting Him, and obeying Him. The story does not say Enoch was perfect, it says that he walked with God. Enoch’s close walk with the Lord is the reason he is listed in Hebrews 11, known as the Hall of Fame of Faith.
By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death, and he was not found, because God had translated him; and before he was translated, he had testimony of having pleased God. But without faith, it is impossible to please God, because it is necessary that he who approaches God believes that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6
Just as Enoch trusted in God, we too should learn to trust Him, no matter what happens. For without faith, it is impossible to please Him. It is amazing that the antediluvians lived so many years. The decreased life expectancy as they moved further away from creation, is sure evidence of the effects of sin in mankind.
In Patriarchs and Prophets, Ellen G. White says, “Could illustrious scholars of our time be placed in contrast with men of the same age who lived before the Flood, they would appear as greatly inferior in mental as in physical strength. As the years of man have decreased, and his physical strength has diminished, so his mental capacities have lessened. There are men who now apply themselves to study during a period of from twenty to fifty years, and the world is filled with admiration of their attainments. But how limited are these acquirements in comparison with those of men whose mental and physical powers were developing for centuries!” PP 83
Wickedness filled the earth when the sons of God fell in love with the daughters of men. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5. And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh.” Genesis 6:3
“The daughters of men” were the descendants of Cain, “the sons of God” were the descendants of Seth.
The Adventist Bible Commentary says, “These unholy alliances between Sethites and Cainites were responsible for the rapid increase of wickedness among the former. God has ever warned His followers not to marry unbelievers, because of the great danger to which the believer is thus exposed and to which he usually succumbs (Deut. 7:3, 4; Joshua 23:12, 13; Ezra 9:2; Neh. 13:25; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15). But the Sethites did not heed the warnings they surely must have received. Guided by sense attractions, they were not content with the beautiful daughters of the godly race, and often preferred Cainite brides. Moreover, the prevalence of polygamy seems to be suggested by the plural expression used, they took ‘wives.'” SDABC Genesis 6
It is always better and safer to obey God.
