When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.
Genesis 5:25-27 NIV
Methuselah, despite having a godly father like Enoch to model his life after, did not follow in his father’s footsteps. It would have been wonderful if Methuselah had continued Enoch’s legacy of walking with God. And it would be more wonderful if he passed it down through generations! However, this doesn’t happen automatically. You can’t inherit righteousness and a faithful walk with God like you would worldly possessions—such as houses, cars, or money. Each person must work out their own salvation.
Walking with God is a personal decision. Although Methuselah witnessed his father’s close relationship with God and saw how Enoch was taken by God because of his faithfulness, he chose a different path. Perhaps he thought his father’s relatively shorter life span—compared to his ancestors—was a reason not to follow in his steps. He may have reasoned that walking with God could cut his time on Earth short, as it seemingly did with Enoch.
Ironically, Methuselah, the longest-living human recorded in history, had the greatest opportunity to turn to God. However, there is no record that he ever walked with God. This brings to light an important truth: a long life without a relationship with God leads to eternal death. What good is a long earthly life if it ends without securing eternity with God?
No matter how many years one lives on Earth, those years are insignificant when compared to eternity. Therefore, we must prioritise eternal life in our daily choices and actions. Anything that hinders our relationship with God—no matter how appealing or necessary it seems in this life—must be discarded, even if it means facing physical death. Eternal life is the ultimate goal, and nothing in this world is worth losing it.
In conclusion, Methuselah’s life reminds us that longevity alone does not equate to a life well-lived in God’s eyes. Walking with God is a decision each of us must make individually. No inheritance, upbringing, or legacy can substitute for a personal commitment to follow Him. Our focus must always be on eternity. Because no amount of time on Earth can compare to the eternal life God offers. Therefore, let us live each day with eternity in mind, rejecting anything that compromises our relationship with God.