God's Grace In Society (Genesis 4:16-26)
Rev. William L. Barron, September 24, 2017Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Cain wanted to be away from the presence of the Lord. He and his line established their own city in rebellion against God's judgment that Cain would be a wanderer. Five generations later, Lamech was born, and he became the first recorded polygamist. Lamech's sons became of great benefit to civilization, Jabal becoming the progenitor of herdsman, Jubal the progenitor of wind musicians, and Tubal-cain the progenitor of metal forgers. These blessings through Cain's rebellious line were nevertheless at testimony to God's grace to the society of all mankind.
Cain continued in his rebellion by promising manifold revenge for the judgment upon himself. The contrast between the line of Cain (wickedness) and the line of Seth (righteousness) is significant. Seth's line included Enos (which means humble) and Enoch (who walked with God and went to dwell with God as a young man). God's grace made the difference in the righteous line, which became known as sons of God, fit to carry out God's purposes, as shown in the New Testament genealogies. It is this grace that we walk in as we partake of the Lord's Table.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Way Of Cain | None | Walking With God » |
Genesis 4:16–26 (Listen)
16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
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.
(ESV)