(source) Updated 4/2019.
Where is the first place the gospel appears in the Bible? The answer may surprise you. Follow along and you’ll see a summary of God’s plan of redemption – hidden here within a genealogy in the book of Genesis!
Supernatural Crafting of the Gospel in the Bible
The Bible is not simply a bunch of books written by lots of authors over thousands of years; the Bible is a connected whole which bears evidence of supernatural crafting over and over again.
Let’s study to see if the case for biblical authority holds water or not.
One remarkable example of this cohesiveness can be glimpsed in Genesis Chapter 5, where we have the genealogy of Adam through Noah. As we read, we see the Hebrew names, but what do these names mean in English?
The meaning of proper names can be a difficult pursuit. Even a conventional Hebrew lexicon can prove disappointing. A study of the original roots, however, can yield some fascinating insights.
The Indisputable Gospel Is Begun
1. Adam
The Hebrew word adam is translated either as “man” or “Adam” depending on context. Adam was formed from the ground (Gen 2:7). Word play between “Adam” and “ground” (adama) is unmistakable. (source)
2. Seth
Adam’s son was named Seth, which means appointed. When Eve names Seth she says, “God has appointed (???) me another offspring..”. (Genesis 4:25), and traditionally readers have understood that therefore the name Seth must come from ???. (source – see end of page)
3. Enosh
Seth’s son was called Enosh, which means mortal, frail, or miserable. It is from the root anash, to be incurable, used of a wound, grief, woe, sickness, or wickedness. And it was in the days of Enosh that men began to defile the name of the Living God. (source)
4. Kenan
Enosh’s son was named Kenan, which can mean sorrow, dirge, or elegy. (The precise denotation is somewhat elusive; some study aids unfortunately presume that Kenan is synonymous with Cainan.)
Balaam, looking down from the heights of Moab, uses a pun upon the name of the Kenites when he prophesies their destruction.
We have no real idea as to why these names were chosen for their children. Often they may have referred to circumstances at birth, and so on.
5. Mahalalel
Kenan’s son was Mahalalel, from Mahalal which means blessed or praise; and El, the name for God. Thus, Mahalalel means the Blessed God. Often Hebrew names include El, the name of God, as Dan-i-el, “God is my Judge”, etc.
The Gospel Message Continued
For more depth on the last 5 names, go here. If we continue and pull all these meanings together we distinctly have the Gospel message.
Adam – Man
Seth – appointed
Enosh- mortal
Kenan– sorrow
Mahalalel- The blessed God
Jared– Shall descend
Enoch– teaching
Methuselah– His death shall bring
Lamech– the despairing
Noah– rest, or comfort.
Put together (with some added conjunctions) it says: Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring (the) despairing comfort and rest.
This was written more than 3,000 years ago or about 1,400 years before Christ.
This is just one example of many of how God proves to us the validity of His Word, the Bible. Who else but God could orchestrate a collection of 66 separate books written by approximately 40 different authors from various geographical locations, over a period of about 1,500 to 2,000 years into one cohesive, interwoven story from beginning to end?
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..” ~2 Timothy 1:9 (italics mine)
God always rewards the diligent student!
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Many wonder how Jesus Christ is present in the Old Testament or how even one can preach the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Old Testament. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a minister of Westminster Chapel in London for thirty years, (1899-1981), with exegetical acuteness shows how.
In this series of never-before-published sermons, this beloved teacher walks readers through the early chapters of Genesis. The Gospel in Genesis starts with the fall of man and ends with the call of Abram as it examines portions of chapters 3-12.
Thus Lloyd-Jones preaches the indisputable gospel of Jesus Christ from the pages of Genesis.
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Thanks for reading!
Natasha says
October 8, 2012 at 9:15 amLove this!
Sarah Mendenhall says
October 8, 2012 at 11:32 amwow! so neat. Thanks for sharing!
Holly (@ Your Gardening Friend) says
October 8, 2012 at 6:57 pmThis is AMAZING!! I’ve never heard all the meanings of these names, let alone how they convey such a wonderful, clear, concise message of the gospel, when the names are put together. I also love how the names are not randomly put together to creat this sentence – the names/words are placed in the exact same order of birth. WOW!
I’ll have to look into this more.
strong>What an AWESOME God we serve!
Thanks so much!
Jacqueline says
October 8, 2012 at 9:12 pmHolly, I am not a scholar, but I thought this was worthy of a post!
JES says
October 8, 2012 at 9:28 pmThis is interesting! We view the complete Old Testament as a glorious introduction to Jesus Christ and our need for Him. There are so many beautiful symbolisms (and I am grateful for what you shared today). When both books are used, the blend is a beautiful picture of God’s plan via the past, present and future. Christ himself quotes the Old Testament which proves it has a majestic purpose and the prophesies in those “old” books all point to Him, what better path to the Saviour has been laid out? Thank you for posting this 🙂
Donna says
October 9, 2012 at 7:15 amSo interesting, thanks for posting this! I have been learning so much about the “Old” Testament over the past few years, and there is just so much more to learn! I love how every word and every letter in the Hebrew language holds so much meaning. And I love how the scriptures, both “old” and “new” all work together to reveal an intricate plan culminating in Messiah!
Ashley says
October 9, 2012 at 1:28 pmI love this!
I remember when I first heard a Bible teacher go through this a few years ago – I was completely amazed. I don’t know how many times I had skimmed over the genealogies wondering why on earth God had thought it was so important to have them added to the Bible.
Well, it’s just another proof of the verse – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) Yes. even the genealogies! 🙂
The more I study the more I find that the seemingly boring portions of the Bible (think Lev., Deut., Job, etc) are actually full of fascinating, beautiful pictures of Jesus.
Thanks for a reminder to keep studying!
Ashley in Colorado
Cheryl @ Moms in Need of Mercy says
October 9, 2012 at 10:56 pmSo cool! I am definitely going to be sharing this! Another reminder that no matter how much you study the Bible, there’s always something new and exciting to learn!
Luis says
October 19, 2012 at 6:58 pmSo interesting, thanks for posting this! I have been learning so much about the “Old” Testament