Genesis 4:17–26 (ESV) —
17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
23 Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold,
then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”
25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
NOTE: There are two main lines (Genealogies) in the early chapters of Genesis, Cain and Seth. In the line of Cain, we see the first person to marry two wives (Lamech) and then the first to kill a man in a conflict (also Lamech). We see men with musical talents, playing the lyre and pipe (Jubal introduces these). And we see new technologies as Tubal-cain forges instruments of bronze and iron. From a worldly perspective, the line of Cain is "advancing," throwing off restraints of marriage, using power to achieve goals, introducing new forms of music, and creating new technologies (metals) out of the ground.
In the next section, we will learn more about Seth, but we see hints of his importance in a seemingly obscure verse. Verse 26 says that at the time Seth had a son, people began to call on the name of the Lord. A relationship with God is far more important than technologies, power, sex, and music. These things are not necessarily evil, unless taken out of the context that God has provided, or used in ways to promote evil. Seth seems like a minor player compared to the worldly results of Cain' sons. Although technically, Seth's future offspring, Noah, is the one who will save the whole earth.
PONDER:
- What do I value most: technology, power, fleshly pursuits, or my relationship with God?
- Why do I value what the world values over my walk with God?
PRAYER: Father, The world is alluring, but after enough years of walking with God, I realize that what is really important is my time with you. I like many of the things of the world, but I understand that they cannot consume me. My focus needs to be on how you are using me in society for good.
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