Genesis 4
"Faith And Cains" • 11.12.09 • Thursday Night Bible Study
Intro
- Chapter 3 of Genesis marks the beginning of a war that will ensue for thousands of years. It will be between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.
- No sooner is the war announced, but that we see the beginning of it's rumblings in chapter 4.
- Sin has become a part of the existence of humankind. It is alive in Adam and Eve, who are believing that the secret to their deliverance will be in their children.
- It's no surprise then that this chapter begins with a conception.
• Genesis 4:1,2a : "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, 'I have acquired a man from the Lord.' Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel."
- No matter what the Obamas say, this was truly the "First Family!" Adam knew Eve, she conceived. and her first son was named Cain, or "possession from the Lord." Abel, whose name seems to mean "Vanity" or "Frailty" came along a little later.
- There is obvious hope and excitement in the birth of Cain. Eve's proclamation that she "Got Him!" shows that the expectation level for Cain was set pretty high.
- She thought that the one that would crush the seed of the serpent was in her arms at that very moment, and that one day, he would reverse the curse.
- Unfortunately, that would not be the case. We move from conception to contrast.
Text
• Genesis 4:2b-5 : "Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." : Moses skips ahead to what these boys occupied themselves in. We might think that this happened very soon. This verse however, might encompass decades of time.
- It's interesting to note that Moses tells us what Abel did first. Cain is the one that Mom is excited about, but Abel seems to be the one that God is excited about.
- We'll notice a few more times in Genesis that God seems to prefer the second born, ignoring the societal norm of first born preference.
- Abel was a shepherd. Shepherding will become a strong motif for the people of Israel and Abel was the first. Cain was a landscaper.
- Their occupations were quite different, as were their relationships to the Lord.
- Both brought an offering to God, but their offering further reflected their difference.
- Abel's was an animal sacrifice, from the fat of the flock, while Cain's was from the fruit of the ground. The fact that they were so different from each other seems to indicate that these were both freewill offerings to the Lord that they had decided to give to God.
- We are not told of God's instructions. However, the offering that Abel brought was respected or "looked upon." The NIV translates this verse a little more accurately:
• Genesis 4:4b : "The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering"
- I wonder if God consumed it by fire. That would have been cool to see. There was some awareness or outward sign that God loved Abel's offering. Cain likely anticipated a similar response.
- Cain watched and waited. His offering remained right where he had put it.
- Cain's response of extreme anger was written all over his face.
- Now, what happened here? Why did God respond this way? Further, what did Abel do that caused him to be accepted? What did Cain not do?
- There are many theories and thoughts. The New Testament helps illuminate what happened here. Turn with me to Hebrews 11. This chapter is usually ascribed the title "Hall Of Faith." Abel is one of the first mentioned.
• Hebrews 11:4 : "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."
- Abel's offering was offered as a reflection of his faith. His worship was born out of an attitude and lifestyle of worship.
- He came with an offering that spoke about his belief in the righteousness of God. God testified of his gifts by looking at him with favor.
- With regard to Cain, Jude's epistle comments that he was in error. He came to God without faith in who God was and the work that God had done.
- Many commentators see a religious spirit in Cain's offering. You can almost see their point. Cain's parents had tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. Here he brings a better set of clothing.
- "Here's a beautiful bouquet. What if they had been clothed in this!?"
- God just let's that hang there. If this is a picture of religion and self-effort, it's poignant. There is no morality, there is no level of perfection, no attainment that can please God!
- We can only receive His clothing! All else, our good works or acts of righteousness apart from a faithful response to God, will be rejected.
• Genesis 4:6,7 : "So the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.'" : We move from the contrast between the boys to the confrontation. God immediately confronts Cain's attiude.
- Notice God's question to Cain: "If you do what is right, will it not go well for you?"
- Obviously, God is concerned with Cain. He calls Him to righteousness. He tells Him that it is within his power to change his mind and heart.
- I think it's interesting that God talks with Cain. He is active and interested and His heart is to put Cain back into a right place with Himself.
- The other thing that interests me is the conversation. Cain knew where His fault lay. There was no question. There was no confusion. God tells Cain to do what he knows is right.
- If he changes his attitude, if he chooses to come to God in faith, he will be accepted, his offering will please Him. However, the opposite is true. If he does not do well, sin lies at his door.
- Notice the language. Sin is personified as a prowling predator, waiting to destroy.
- Please understand this: There is no serpent here. There is no external force. The sin is now present WITHIN Cain! It's built-in. It's part of the progam.
- It's helpful to understand that the "devil made me do it" is an outmoded argument.
- He gets an awful lot of credit for what is mostly our fault!
- Turn with me to James 1. James is really clear about how sin comes to be a reality.
• James 1:13-15 : "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
- Sin begins in what you and I already desire. It's that desire that must be mastered, subjugated and brought under the authrority of a godly life.
- You and I are called to fight this same fight. Will we choose what we desire or what God desires for us? We move from the confrontation to the crime.
• Genesis 4:8 : "Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." : Cain's anger and hatred toward God expressed itself against his own flesh and blood. The words are fiendish.
- This is a pre-meditated action against Abel. The words "Cain talked with his brother" seem to be incomplete. Certain versions of the Bible add that Cain said, "Let's go out into the field."
- Once in the field, Cain ended his brother's life. It's unimaginable! The betrayal and the vicious nature of Cain finds expression in a heinous, criminal act. Why did Cain kill his brother?
- Turn with me to Luke 11. Jesus makes an interesting statement.
• Luke 11:49-51 : "Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute, 'that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation."
- According to my understanding of this passage, Abel was a prophet, speaking forth the righteousness of God, at the very least, in the action of his offering.
- According to Jesus, Abel is the first one to prophecy about God's righteousness. Cain was the first in a long line to kill that voice of God, calling for reconciliation and righteousness.
- Turn over to I John 3. Again the New Testament sheds light on Cain's motivation.
• I John 3:10-13 : "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you."
- This sets a precedent for all of human history: When your actions are in line with the heart of the Lord, you can expect that there will be hatred from the world because of their hatred for God.
• Genesis 4:9-15 : "Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?' He said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?' And He said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.' And Cain said to the Lord, 'My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.' And the Lord said to him, 'Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.' And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him." : Just as He had come to Adam, now God comes to Cain. Just as He had deliberated a case with Adam, He cross examines Cain.
- Cain's disregard and disrespect for the Lord comes out very strongly. In many ways, his answer is just as aggressive toward God as Adam's was accusatory.
- "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer is that he was and God holds him accountable.
- Incredibly, there is no fear of God in Cain. He is unconcerned for what God could or would do to Him. He is however afraid for his life.
- He does not regret his action. There is no remorse for his crime, nor is there a desire to change. He only regrets the consequence that his action will bring.
- Turn with me to II Corinthians 7. The Apostle Paul had laid down some very difficult discipline with the church in Corinth. But it brought about something very good.
• II Corinthians 7:9-11 : "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter."
- Cain was sorry that he was caught and punished. Nothing godly would come from the sorrow of the consequence. Nothing good would be produced.
- God promises to protect him from such a fate by marking him.
• Genesis 4:16-24 : "Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son--Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech. Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. Then Lamech said to his wives: 'Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.'" : You can call this section of scripture a parenthesis. God allows us to see what became of Cain's life. Two questions present themselves.
- First, why did God allow Cain to live? Later, in the law, a man who took a life would surrender his own. At this time, Cain, an unrepentant murderer is allowed the freedom to leave.
- Where is God's justice in this scenario? In this case, God allowed His justice to be that Cain would live a life of fear for retribution.
- You'll note that he went out of the Lord's presence. What is a life out of the Lord's presence? He takes a wife and has children. His family grows and gains some measure of success.
- But this life and indeed all of his line, are godless people.
- The sixth from Cain, Lamech, captures our attention. The point of showing Cain's line is to show the utter depravity of Cain, who could not carry on the line of the Messiah.
- There is nothing redeeming in Cain's line. His descendants were nomads, musicians and iron workers. They were inventive, but completely divorced from any life in God.
- Lamech was the full expression of the hatred and disregard for God. He is the first polygamist in scripture. His act of murder was even more callous than Cain's.
- Lamech killed a person for the most superficial of reasons. He killed a man for a slight physical wound. Lamech shows us that the sin nature of Cain ruled over the entirety of the line.
- To Adam and Eve, Cain's character was a heartbreak. The loss of Abel was even worse. And what of God's promise? Would it now be thwarted? God still had another play up His sleeve.
• Genesis 4:25,26 : "And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, 'For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.' And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord." : Adam and Eve's expectations were crushed, their hearts broken. Their testimony is one of brokeness and loss.
- The lost their innocence. They lost their paradise. They lost both of their sons. And I'm sure that in their minds, they thought that their hope of deliverance was lost as well.
- There is something important here: Adam knew his wife again! They continued to draw close to one another. The tragedies that they faced did not quench their love for each other.
- And it was their love that produced healing and hope, for now Eve bore a third son. Eve again puts out her hope. With this son, he progresses with a son named Enosh.
- The line of the seed would indeed progress through Seth and the rest of the bible will now follow this line of people.
Conclusion
- When all is said and done here, what is it that God intends us to understand? I want to suggest a few statements that have helped me. I look at this chapter through the lens of faith.
- There is anticipation in faith. Adam and Eve looked forward to their Redeemer. We look back at our Redeemer's work on the Cross and forward to being with Him for eternity.
- There are tests of faith. Along the way, like Cain, we'll be tempted to walk away from our faith and serve our desires. Perhaps, like Adam and Eve, we'll be tempted to think that God's promise has been thwarted.
- In the end, there must be an endurance to our faith. An endurance that causes Adam and Eve to see in Seth the faithfulness of God to move in spite of how they might have been disappointed.
- Tonight, God calls us to believe Him, to take Him at His word, to follow with abandon and to believe Him no matter what we see or feel presently.
"Faith And Cains" • 11.12.09 • Thursday Night Bible Study
Intro
- Chapter 3 of Genesis marks the beginning of a war that will ensue for thousands of years. It will be between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.
- No sooner is the war announced, but that we see the beginning of it's rumblings in chapter 4.
- Sin has become a part of the existence of humankind. It is alive in Adam and Eve, who are believing that the secret to their deliverance will be in their children.
- It's no surprise then that this chapter begins with a conception.
• Genesis 4:1,2a : "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, 'I have acquired a man from the Lord.' Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel."
- No matter what the Obamas say, this was truly the "First Family!" Adam knew Eve, she conceived. and her first son was named Cain, or "possession from the Lord." Abel, whose name seems to mean "Vanity" or "Frailty" came along a little later.
- There is obvious hope and excitement in the birth of Cain. Eve's proclamation that she "Got Him!" shows that the expectation level for Cain was set pretty high.
- She thought that the one that would crush the seed of the serpent was in her arms at that very moment, and that one day, he would reverse the curse.
- Unfortunately, that would not be the case. We move from conception to contrast.
Text
• Genesis 4:2b-5 : "Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." : Moses skips ahead to what these boys occupied themselves in. We might think that this happened very soon. This verse however, might encompass decades of time.
- It's interesting to note that Moses tells us what Abel did first. Cain is the one that Mom is excited about, but Abel seems to be the one that God is excited about.
- We'll notice a few more times in Genesis that God seems to prefer the second born, ignoring the societal norm of first born preference.
- Abel was a shepherd. Shepherding will become a strong motif for the people of Israel and Abel was the first. Cain was a landscaper.
- Their occupations were quite different, as were their relationships to the Lord.
- Both brought an offering to God, but their offering further reflected their difference.
- Abel's was an animal sacrifice, from the fat of the flock, while Cain's was from the fruit of the ground. The fact that they were so different from each other seems to indicate that these were both freewill offerings to the Lord that they had decided to give to God.
- We are not told of God's instructions. However, the offering that Abel brought was respected or "looked upon." The NIV translates this verse a little more accurately:
• Genesis 4:4b : "The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering"
- I wonder if God consumed it by fire. That would have been cool to see. There was some awareness or outward sign that God loved Abel's offering. Cain likely anticipated a similar response.
- Cain watched and waited. His offering remained right where he had put it.
- Cain's response of extreme anger was written all over his face.
- Now, what happened here? Why did God respond this way? Further, what did Abel do that caused him to be accepted? What did Cain not do?
- There are many theories and thoughts. The New Testament helps illuminate what happened here. Turn with me to Hebrews 11. This chapter is usually ascribed the title "Hall Of Faith." Abel is one of the first mentioned.
• Hebrews 11:4 : "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."
- Abel's offering was offered as a reflection of his faith. His worship was born out of an attitude and lifestyle of worship.
- He came with an offering that spoke about his belief in the righteousness of God. God testified of his gifts by looking at him with favor.
- With regard to Cain, Jude's epistle comments that he was in error. He came to God without faith in who God was and the work that God had done.
- Many commentators see a religious spirit in Cain's offering. You can almost see their point. Cain's parents had tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. Here he brings a better set of clothing.
- "Here's a beautiful bouquet. What if they had been clothed in this!?"
- God just let's that hang there. If this is a picture of religion and self-effort, it's poignant. There is no morality, there is no level of perfection, no attainment that can please God!
- We can only receive His clothing! All else, our good works or acts of righteousness apart from a faithful response to God, will be rejected.
• Genesis 4:6,7 : "So the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.'" : We move from the contrast between the boys to the confrontation. God immediately confronts Cain's attiude.
- Notice God's question to Cain: "If you do what is right, will it not go well for you?"
- Obviously, God is concerned with Cain. He calls Him to righteousness. He tells Him that it is within his power to change his mind and heart.
- I think it's interesting that God talks with Cain. He is active and interested and His heart is to put Cain back into a right place with Himself.
- The other thing that interests me is the conversation. Cain knew where His fault lay. There was no question. There was no confusion. God tells Cain to do what he knows is right.
- If he changes his attitude, if he chooses to come to God in faith, he will be accepted, his offering will please Him. However, the opposite is true. If he does not do well, sin lies at his door.
- Notice the language. Sin is personified as a prowling predator, waiting to destroy.
- Please understand this: There is no serpent here. There is no external force. The sin is now present WITHIN Cain! It's built-in. It's part of the progam.
- It's helpful to understand that the "devil made me do it" is an outmoded argument.
- He gets an awful lot of credit for what is mostly our fault!
- Turn with me to James 1. James is really clear about how sin comes to be a reality.
• James 1:13-15 : "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
- Sin begins in what you and I already desire. It's that desire that must be mastered, subjugated and brought under the authrority of a godly life.
- You and I are called to fight this same fight. Will we choose what we desire or what God desires for us? We move from the confrontation to the crime.
• Genesis 4:8 : "Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." : Cain's anger and hatred toward God expressed itself against his own flesh and blood. The words are fiendish.
- This is a pre-meditated action against Abel. The words "Cain talked with his brother" seem to be incomplete. Certain versions of the Bible add that Cain said, "Let's go out into the field."
- Once in the field, Cain ended his brother's life. It's unimaginable! The betrayal and the vicious nature of Cain finds expression in a heinous, criminal act. Why did Cain kill his brother?
- Turn with me to Luke 11. Jesus makes an interesting statement.
• Luke 11:49-51 : "Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute, 'that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation."
- According to my understanding of this passage, Abel was a prophet, speaking forth the righteousness of God, at the very least, in the action of his offering.
- According to Jesus, Abel is the first one to prophecy about God's righteousness. Cain was the first in a long line to kill that voice of God, calling for reconciliation and righteousness.
- Turn over to I John 3. Again the New Testament sheds light on Cain's motivation.
• I John 3:10-13 : "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you."
- This sets a precedent for all of human history: When your actions are in line with the heart of the Lord, you can expect that there will be hatred from the world because of their hatred for God.
• Genesis 4:9-15 : "Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?' He said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?' And He said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.' And Cain said to the Lord, 'My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.' And the Lord said to him, 'Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.' And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him." : Just as He had come to Adam, now God comes to Cain. Just as He had deliberated a case with Adam, He cross examines Cain.
- Cain's disregard and disrespect for the Lord comes out very strongly. In many ways, his answer is just as aggressive toward God as Adam's was accusatory.
- "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer is that he was and God holds him accountable.
- Incredibly, there is no fear of God in Cain. He is unconcerned for what God could or would do to Him. He is however afraid for his life.
- He does not regret his action. There is no remorse for his crime, nor is there a desire to change. He only regrets the consequence that his action will bring.
- Turn with me to II Corinthians 7. The Apostle Paul had laid down some very difficult discipline with the church in Corinth. But it brought about something very good.
• II Corinthians 7:9-11 : "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter."
- Cain was sorry that he was caught and punished. Nothing godly would come from the sorrow of the consequence. Nothing good would be produced.
- God promises to protect him from such a fate by marking him.
• Genesis 4:16-24 : "Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son--Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech. Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. Then Lamech said to his wives: 'Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.'" : You can call this section of scripture a parenthesis. God allows us to see what became of Cain's life. Two questions present themselves.
- First, why did God allow Cain to live? Later, in the law, a man who took a life would surrender his own. At this time, Cain, an unrepentant murderer is allowed the freedom to leave.
- Where is God's justice in this scenario? In this case, God allowed His justice to be that Cain would live a life of fear for retribution.
- You'll note that he went out of the Lord's presence. What is a life out of the Lord's presence? He takes a wife and has children. His family grows and gains some measure of success.
- But this life and indeed all of his line, are godless people.
- The sixth from Cain, Lamech, captures our attention. The point of showing Cain's line is to show the utter depravity of Cain, who could not carry on the line of the Messiah.
- There is nothing redeeming in Cain's line. His descendants were nomads, musicians and iron workers. They were inventive, but completely divorced from any life in God.
- Lamech was the full expression of the hatred and disregard for God. He is the first polygamist in scripture. His act of murder was even more callous than Cain's.
- Lamech killed a person for the most superficial of reasons. He killed a man for a slight physical wound. Lamech shows us that the sin nature of Cain ruled over the entirety of the line.
- To Adam and Eve, Cain's character was a heartbreak. The loss of Abel was even worse. And what of God's promise? Would it now be thwarted? God still had another play up His sleeve.
• Genesis 4:25,26 : "And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, 'For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.' And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord." : Adam and Eve's expectations were crushed, their hearts broken. Their testimony is one of brokeness and loss.
- The lost their innocence. They lost their paradise. They lost both of their sons. And I'm sure that in their minds, they thought that their hope of deliverance was lost as well.
- There is something important here: Adam knew his wife again! They continued to draw close to one another. The tragedies that they faced did not quench their love for each other.
- And it was their love that produced healing and hope, for now Eve bore a third son. Eve again puts out her hope. With this son, he progresses with a son named Enosh.
- The line of the seed would indeed progress through Seth and the rest of the bible will now follow this line of people.
Conclusion
- When all is said and done here, what is it that God intends us to understand? I want to suggest a few statements that have helped me. I look at this chapter through the lens of faith.
- There is anticipation in faith. Adam and Eve looked forward to their Redeemer. We look back at our Redeemer's work on the Cross and forward to being with Him for eternity.
- There are tests of faith. Along the way, like Cain, we'll be tempted to walk away from our faith and serve our desires. Perhaps, like Adam and Eve, we'll be tempted to think that God's promise has been thwarted.
- In the end, there must be an endurance to our faith. An endurance that causes Adam and Eve to see in Seth the faithfulness of God to move in spite of how they might have been disappointed.
- Tonight, God calls us to believe Him, to take Him at His word, to follow with abandon and to believe Him no matter what we see or feel presently.
No comments:
Post a Comment