“Who was the man in the Bible who lived to be older than anyone else?” If you said, “Methuselah lived to be 969 years old,” you’d be right. People often wonder how and why people lived such long lives before the flood. Some experts suggest many of life-shortening diseases and germs weren’t around before the flood. But the real reason Methuselah lived to be so old is because he is an example of God’s patience.

The Bible says, “When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years and then he died.” (Genesis 5:25-27) Back then parents gave their children names that carried a meaning. Enoch was Methuselah’s father. Enoch walked with God and Jude writes that Enoch was a preacher of righteousness. He must have known judgement was coming because he named his boy Methuselah, which means, “When he is dead it (the flood) shall come!” “Muth” means “death” and “Shalak” means “to bring something.” So his name carried the idea that his death would bring about something important, i.e. the flood.

Here’s what we know: Methuselah fathered Lamech when he was 187. (Genesis 9:25) Lamech fathered Noah when he was 182. (Genesis 9:28) The Flood came when Noah was 600 years old. (Genesis 7:6) So when you add up 187 + 182 + 600, you get 969 years. That let’s us know Methuselah died the year of The Flood! The Jewish Talmud even suggests Methuselah died seven days before the flood.

What’s the point? When some people learn about the great flood that killed all the people and animals except those on the ark, they tend to think, “What kind of mean, angry, hateful God would do that? I don’t want to believe in a God like that.”

But Methuselah shows us that for almost 1,000 years, God warned the people to repent. He kept Methuselah alive longer than any man in history because He is a patient God who is slow to anger. When you understand old Methuselah, you’ll understand more about God’s personality profile. God is a God of patience, who is slow to anger, and quick to forgive. But while there is no limit to His power and wisdom, there IS a limit to His patience.

You may be reading this today and God is saying to you. “I love you. I want to have a personal relationship with you. I’m giving you time to repent of your sins and turn to Me in faith. Today is just another example of My patience.” Will you place your faith in Him today?