[From the original version of the book]

Methuselah lived 969 years! He was not alone in great life spans listed for the ten Patriarchs from Adam to Noah and the flood. One of the purposes of this list is to give continuity to long periods of elapsed time and to keep the connection to our deepest roots in the human family. The shortening of the life span has been seen as a consequence to the degrading levels to which the human family had fallen. Everything went downhill. Some see the shortening as actually an act of mercy on God’s part, as we might say: “Quit, while you’re ahead,” or “Stop before things get worse!” And worse indeed did things get with the reference that even “sons of God” (fallen angels?) took human wives. God was grieved at creating us. However, there was one good man: Noah.
     How does God feel about having created you?

Genesis 5:1—6:8

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information