Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died. (Genesis 5:27 ESV)
Long Life
969 years is a long time. If Methusaleh had lived in modern times, and died this year, he would have been born in the year 1054. That was the year in which the events of Macbeth took place. That was the year of the Great Schism, in which the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism began. That was a long time ago.
Why did Methusaleh live so long? Beyond good vitamins, plenty of exercise, and a healthier environment, Methusaleh was simply blessed by God. A long life is often understood as a blessing, from the promise attached to the fifth commandment, to Mr. Spock’s official greeting. But note well, that Methusaleh did not reach 969 as a reward of better behavior than his grandfather, who only lived 962 years… but the reason for long life is found on the other side of the equation. They lived that long because God loved them.
Do not get lost in wondering whether a few years’ difference equates with a measurable amount of love.
Just relax and rejoice in noting that God’s love results in long life.
And because of Christ, that long life is not measured in years traveling around Sol. Our long life will endure through eternity. More than Carl Sagan’s billions and billions of years. We, God’s people, are going to live longer than Methusaleh!
Because God loves His people, He bought us long life… eternal life… with the coin of His Son’s blood.