Lamech combined his violence with a desire to put himself ahead of God. Notice that he refers back to how God would avenge Cain’s death. Who would avenge Cain if someone killed him? It was God himself, of course.
God’s justice is perfect. He takes everything into account, and knows the heart of every single person, and why they do what they do. He makes no mistakes. He will never sin – He can’t sin. He is perfect. There is such a thing as righteous anger, though some versions remove that; jesus tells His disciples that He who is angry with his brother *without a cause* is sinning. But, God has cause. He created each of us to follow Him, and to not sin. When people commit sin, He has every right to punish us, because we have fallen short of the mark of perfection.
Thankfully, God is also merciful. He doesn’t want to punish sin. He wants to show love and peace to everyone, but we must confess and forsake our sins to do so.
Lamech had no mercy. His idea of vengeance was totally based on the outward appearance, and went totally against God’s ways. His terror and intimidation is just like the devil, who wants to steal our freedom and put God’s creatures under the yoke of oppression.
In doing thins, Lamech was either placing himself above God in the delusional belief that he could cause people to avenge him like that, or he may have actually had such a large mob. If the latter, he would certainly not be the last person to have a huge group of people organized to follow his every command, and avenge any injustice. World dictators for centuries have done the same thing.
More importantly, however, Lamech continued a pattern that was seen since the dawn of time, a pattern of ignoring God in his life. However, he didn’t just disobey God, as Adam and Eve had done. He totally profaned God, by claiming the same rights as God, to determine how he was going to be avenged, and by deciding how life would be governed, ruling by oppression and not by love. Only God, who combines perfect justice with perfect love and mercy, among many other attributes, has the right to decide who lives and who dies. Even when He appoints people to do so, He is truly the one making the decision.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Gen. 4:23
We don’t know when Lamech made the proclamation in this verse and the next. However, the important thing is, it was a sign of his arrogance. Hedecided that he was going to be the ruler of his domain, instead of God. He was going to set all the rules.
First, he deliberately puffs himself up while putting down his wives. What manner of person goes around referring to his wife as “You wife of mine”? God intended the marital union to be one of mutual love. However, even in the most male-dominant cultures, where woman are considered very subservient, they would be addressed by their first names. And yet, Moses, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states their names right before, perhaps to emphasize that Lamech wouldn’t even do that. He simply referred to them as “ye wives of Lamech.”
Notice, too, what Lamech is boasting about. He uses the word “hearken,” which means that they should do more than just listen. They should be extra attentive, and and act according to what he said; in other words, his desire was to strike an unhealthy fear in them. If Naamah did turn from the wicked ways of Cain, and trust in God completely for salvation by faith, one can’t help but wonder if it was the utter terror of Lamech which caused her to consider just how different and wonderful things were under the unconditional love that was Noah’s house. We who know that love must be careful to always show a great example of Jesus Christ, and to tell others about Him. We never know what kind of situation someone else lives in or has lived in – and, we never know when they might be ready to cry out to Jesus Christ for salvation, if they only know about Him.
The words that inspired such terror follow. Lamech shows himself to be a very violent man with them. He would kill just for small wounds. Jesus Christ tells us to love our enemies, and bless those who persecute us. However, this goes beyond even the “eye for an eye” justice thatGod established in the Mosaic covenant, a covenant that was supposed to show people just they couldn’t keep the whole law, and draw them to Himself. Lamech’s law was that would kill anyone who got in his way. It was a law that put all the focus on himself.
When we put all the focus on ourselves, we wind up forgetting that God is in control,a nd has placed thigns in our lives to help us. Of course, sometimes others do evil things to us, but God can turn that evil around, and use it unto good, as Joseph told his brothers, for instance. (Gen. 50:20) God wants us to keep the focus totally on Him; to be filled (that is, controlled) by the Spirit at all times. (Eph. 5:18) That is impossible in our sinful state, of course, but this is why Christ’s shed blood is so important. We must never return slights with such evil. We must instead be willing to forgive others who sin differently than we do.
First, he deliberately puffs himself up while putting down his wives. What manner of person goes around referring to his wife as “You wife of mine”? God intended the marital union to be one of mutual love. However, even in the most male-dominant cultures, where woman are considered very subservient, they would be addressed by their first names. And yet, Moses, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states their names right before, perhaps to emphasize that Lamech wouldn’t even do that. He simply referred to them as “ye wives of Lamech.”
Notice, too, what Lamech is boasting about. He uses the word “hearken,” which means that they should do more than just listen. They should be extra attentive, and and act according to what he said; in other words, his desire was to strike an unhealthy fear in them. If Naamah did turn from the wicked ways of Cain, and trust in God completely for salvation by faith, one can’t help but wonder if it was the utter terror of Lamech which caused her to consider just how different and wonderful things were under the unconditional love that was Noah’s house. We who know that love must be careful to always show a great example of Jesus Christ, and to tell others about Him. We never know what kind of situation someone else lives in or has lived in – and, we never know when they might be ready to cry out to Jesus Christ for salvation, if they only know about Him.
The words that inspired such terror follow. Lamech shows himself to be a very violent man with them. He would kill just for small wounds. Jesus Christ tells us to love our enemies, and bless those who persecute us. However, this goes beyond even the “eye for an eye” justice thatGod established in the Mosaic covenant, a covenant that was supposed to show people just they couldn’t keep the whole law, and draw them to Himself. Lamech’s law was that would kill anyone who got in his way. It was a law that put all the focus on himself.
When we put all the focus on ourselves, we wind up forgetting that God is in control,a nd has placed thigns in our lives to help us. Of course, sometimes others do evil things to us, but God can turn that evil around, and use it unto good, as Joseph told his brothers, for instance. (Gen. 50:20) God wants us to keep the focus totally on Him; to be filled (that is, controlled) by the Spirit at all times. (Eph. 5:18) That is impossible in our sinful state, of course, but this is why Christ’s shed blood is so important. We must never return slights with such evil. We must instead be willing to forgive others who sin differently than we do.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Gen. 4:22
We turn next to Lamech’s other wife, Zillah. We see a few interesting things here.
One of her sons was Tubal-Cain. Several people believe this is the heathens’ “Vulcan,’ as both ere skilled with the production of weapons, and of smithing iron in general. Others had done it before, but he raised it to an art form. Hence, this term is different than the verses which describe Jabal and Jubal. Tubal-Cain is said to be an instructor of every maker of brass and iron things. This implies that there were makers before. He simply introduced many new ways.
Naamah, one sister, was known for her beauty according to many, and some believe she was the inspiration for the heathen Venus or Minerva.
God’s reason for introducing these two is uncertain; especially Naamah, about whom nothing else is said. John Gill, in his commentary on this verse, does an excellent job of considering a variety of different identities for Naamah, I invite readers who are interested to look into that further, as he lists where some of these ideas came from. However, as a number of sources point to her as the wife of Noah, or of Ham, let me address these two possibilities here.
First, God would not have let unrighteous flesh on the Ark, when the mind of man was on evil continually. Of course, there is none righteous; no, not one. (Rom. 3:10) Noah was found to be “perfect” in his generation because he’d kept the commands of God, and trusted in God for forgiveness when he sinned. Like Abraham, he believed God, and that was what was counted to him for righteousness. It’s unlikely that someone who followed God that closely would allow his son to marry someone who wasn’t following God. It’s highly unlikely that someone following God that closely would marry someone who was totally away from God. However, it’s impossible that a perfect and holy God, who was destroying all flesh off the face of the earth, would allow some of that evil onto the very ark that was being used to start the world anew.
Now, that doesn’t mean that someone couldn’t have been saved out of the line of Cain. Descent from Adam caused the sin nature that we all have; and, which even Noah had. They would have had to commit totally to God’s principles, and turn away from idolatry 100%. But, someone saved out of that line would explain why the world quickly slipped back into darkness later, if that person chose to turn back to idolatry. One need only look at Moses’ brother Aaron, who was goaded by the people into making a golden calf to worship at the time of the Exodus. On the other hand, it doesn’t take a bad influence from the outside to get people to fall into sin. We are perfectly capable of that ourselves, sadly enough.
So, could Naamah have been Noah’s wife? She is a couple generations before Noah, if one counts the number of generations. However, that isn’t as important. We don’t know how long it took for people to marry in the line of Cain. We don’t even know what generation her mother Zillah was from; it’s possible Lamech chose a much younger woman. So, she could actually have been from the same generation as Noah. We also have the fact Noah didn’t have Shem, Ham, and Japheth till he was 500 years old, though he could have had others before that. So, it’s possible, but by no means certain, that he waited that long for a wife. However, as noted above, it’s not very likely. There are more “traditions” that state she was Ham’s wife than ones stating she was Noah’s; of course, traditions are not always true.
So, what about Ham? While a wife of Noah would have possibly influenced all three children in a negative way, the wife of Ham would be a much more logical person on whom to place blame for one person in particular – Canaan. Canaan’s children (Gen. 10:15-18) were the fathers of the people who did all the horrible things, including child sacrifices, that God eventually punished by allowing the Israelis to conquer them. Another of Ham’s son’s, Cush, begat Nimrod, the first man to try and build a world empire, as we’ll see later. The age thing, while more of a problem and a lot harder it was for Noah, isn’t impossible to overcome, if one argues that Naamah was Ham’s wife.
There is, then, some credible argument for Naamah being Ham’s wife, if indeed she turned back to her idolatrous ways. However, it is also possible that Naamah was like Ruth, a convert who stayed true to the faith, and that Noah simply waited a long time for her.
Finally, it is quite possible, perhaps likely, that Naamah married neither, but instead perished in the Flood. The apocryphal book Tobit is not Scripture. It has things that don’t mesh with the other 66 books of the Bible, which agree perfectly. But, according to Gill, Tobit mentions an evil spirit who mother was supposedly Naamah.
This is untrue, as a person would not literally give birth to an “evil spirit.” However, it shows the conjecture that exists. One might also note that the writer of another apocryphal book, Jubilees, gives a name for Ham’s wife that is very similar. This is much less fanciful than the Tobit example, but if it’s true, it’s merely a coincidence that an apocryphal book mentions it.
We don’t know why Scripture mentions Naamah, with Adah and Zillah the only women mentioned by name all the way from Eve to Sarah, despite many generations. Perhaps the best conclusion is that God has reasons which we don’t always understand. It can be fun to consider what that reason was. However, the important part must never be lost on people. God’s Word exist for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Naamah’s presence should remind us that God remembes all our deeds, whether good or evil, whether open or hidden. Just because nothing more is known to us about her, doesn’t mean anything was hidden from God. He knew her, and judged her according to her knowledge of Him and whether she ever received His forgiveness for her sins by faith that He would one day send a Redeemer for her.
One of her sons was Tubal-Cain. Several people believe this is the heathens’ “Vulcan,’ as both ere skilled with the production of weapons, and of smithing iron in general. Others had done it before, but he raised it to an art form. Hence, this term is different than the verses which describe Jabal and Jubal. Tubal-Cain is said to be an instructor of every maker of brass and iron things. This implies that there were makers before. He simply introduced many new ways.
Naamah, one sister, was known for her beauty according to many, and some believe she was the inspiration for the heathen Venus or Minerva.
God’s reason for introducing these two is uncertain; especially Naamah, about whom nothing else is said. John Gill, in his commentary on this verse, does an excellent job of considering a variety of different identities for Naamah, I invite readers who are interested to look into that further, as he lists where some of these ideas came from. However, as a number of sources point to her as the wife of Noah, or of Ham, let me address these two possibilities here.
First, God would not have let unrighteous flesh on the Ark, when the mind of man was on evil continually. Of course, there is none righteous; no, not one. (Rom. 3:10) Noah was found to be “perfect” in his generation because he’d kept the commands of God, and trusted in God for forgiveness when he sinned. Like Abraham, he believed God, and that was what was counted to him for righteousness. It’s unlikely that someone who followed God that closely would allow his son to marry someone who wasn’t following God. It’s highly unlikely that someone following God that closely would marry someone who was totally away from God. However, it’s impossible that a perfect and holy God, who was destroying all flesh off the face of the earth, would allow some of that evil onto the very ark that was being used to start the world anew.
Now, that doesn’t mean that someone couldn’t have been saved out of the line of Cain. Descent from Adam caused the sin nature that we all have; and, which even Noah had. They would have had to commit totally to God’s principles, and turn away from idolatry 100%. But, someone saved out of that line would explain why the world quickly slipped back into darkness later, if that person chose to turn back to idolatry. One need only look at Moses’ brother Aaron, who was goaded by the people into making a golden calf to worship at the time of the Exodus. On the other hand, it doesn’t take a bad influence from the outside to get people to fall into sin. We are perfectly capable of that ourselves, sadly enough.
So, could Naamah have been Noah’s wife? She is a couple generations before Noah, if one counts the number of generations. However, that isn’t as important. We don’t know how long it took for people to marry in the line of Cain. We don’t even know what generation her mother Zillah was from; it’s possible Lamech chose a much younger woman. So, she could actually have been from the same generation as Noah. We also have the fact Noah didn’t have Shem, Ham, and Japheth till he was 500 years old, though he could have had others before that. So, it’s possible, but by no means certain, that he waited that long for a wife. However, as noted above, it’s not very likely. There are more “traditions” that state she was Ham’s wife than ones stating she was Noah’s; of course, traditions are not always true.
So, what about Ham? While a wife of Noah would have possibly influenced all three children in a negative way, the wife of Ham would be a much more logical person on whom to place blame for one person in particular – Canaan. Canaan’s children (Gen. 10:15-18) were the fathers of the people who did all the horrible things, including child sacrifices, that God eventually punished by allowing the Israelis to conquer them. Another of Ham’s son’s, Cush, begat Nimrod, the first man to try and build a world empire, as we’ll see later. The age thing, while more of a problem and a lot harder it was for Noah, isn’t impossible to overcome, if one argues that Naamah was Ham’s wife.
There is, then, some credible argument for Naamah being Ham’s wife, if indeed she turned back to her idolatrous ways. However, it is also possible that Naamah was like Ruth, a convert who stayed true to the faith, and that Noah simply waited a long time for her.
Finally, it is quite possible, perhaps likely, that Naamah married neither, but instead perished in the Flood. The apocryphal book Tobit is not Scripture. It has things that don’t mesh with the other 66 books of the Bible, which agree perfectly. But, according to Gill, Tobit mentions an evil spirit who mother was supposedly Naamah.
This is untrue, as a person would not literally give birth to an “evil spirit.” However, it shows the conjecture that exists. One might also note that the writer of another apocryphal book, Jubilees, gives a name for Ham’s wife that is very similar. This is much less fanciful than the Tobit example, but if it’s true, it’s merely a coincidence that an apocryphal book mentions it.
We don’t know why Scripture mentions Naamah, with Adah and Zillah the only women mentioned by name all the way from Eve to Sarah, despite many generations. Perhaps the best conclusion is that God has reasons which we don’t always understand. It can be fun to consider what that reason was. However, the important part must never be lost on people. God’s Word exist for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Naamah’s presence should remind us that God remembes all our deeds, whether good or evil, whether open or hidden. Just because nothing more is known to us about her, doesn’t mean anything was hidden from God. He knew her, and judged her according to her knowledge of Him and whether she ever received His forgiveness for her sins by faith that He would one day send a Redeemer for her.
Gen. 4:21
One might guess that populations were in the millions by this time, because the ages people lived to would mean they had dozens of children, as women could have remained fertile till they were a hundred or two, given the still perfect environment, with the water shild protecting the warm, tropical earth from deadly cosmic rays, combined with a lack of deteriorating diseases yet. One tradition states that Adam and Eve had 77 children. Given that, the wording here is interesting.
We read, at the start of this first, that “Jabal’s brother” was Jubal. Not one of his brothers – his brother. It’s possible, of course, that this was just referring to his most famous brother – we don’t really know why God phrased it this way. It’s also possible he had only one brother and dozens of sisters. It’s also possible that for some reason, Lamech was not blessed with many descendants on purpose. Perhaps Adah, their mother, was treated very roughly by her husband, to where she couldn’t conceive. Perhaps she even died young. Or, perhaps God just closed up her womb after a time, because of the wickedness of the world.
Whatever the reason, we see that God is in control. It is He that decides whether someone will conceive and when. He has much more information aobut things than we do; an infinite amount, in fact. He knows what’s best, while we often stagger along in total confusion about what is best. Even when we wind up better than most, however, our best guess is still far away from God’s perfection. Imperfect man can never approach the perfection of our holy God.
We read that Jubal was the father of whose who played music. We don’t know if these were the first musical instruments. Anthropologists today tell us drums are often the first, and this seems to be born out by small children who like to pound on things. However, there’s a difference between these and what Jubal likely did.
Drums aren’t mentioned in the Bible. The more melodious instruments – the harp being one – are often mentioned, however. Drums can only provide a pounding beat, whereas other instruments can provide a more flowing melody. A beat to music can allow one to be put into a trance, if it’s hard enough; when a group of teens on a mission trip had a radio playing rock music, in fact, it prompted one native to proclaim that the music was “calling the devils.” It’s likely that there were drums before this, but the music was probably not soothing, like that of a harp, for instance.
In that case, it’s interesting to note that it was one of Cain’s line to create this melodious sound; to be the father of beautiful music, and to teach in the art of it. This brings up two points.
First, just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it is. We don’t know what kind of music was played, but again, there is no evidence that Jubal played this music for the Lord. There is no evidence that he didn’t, but we can be certain that not all of the music produced by Jubal and his craftsmen praised God. And, it’s possible none did. Music should praise the One who provided the talent, just as scientific discoveries should glorify God, as noted above.
Second, look at the Godly people who have created beautiful music through the years. King David was very skilled at the harp, for instance. God took something that a wicked, evil line created. And, He turned it into something that would glorify Him.
Many things in this world today can be used for good, or for evil. It hasn’t changed since the dawn of time. It’s no wonder that Solomon wrote that “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9) Turning back to the illustrations that were used before,w hen discussing Creation, of course there have been new inventions and such. However, the age-old battle between God and the devil, with God trying to turn things to be used for good and the devil the other way, has existed since the dawn of time. There are some things, of course, that are always evil if used in a certain way, of course; people should never consume poisons, for instance. However, like other things, it doesn’t mean that the things themselves are bad. Music can be used to uplift, soothe, encourage, and strengthen one in one’s walk with God. It’s been used to wistness to others about his wonderful works. Just because Jubal was the first main teacher of things like the harp doesn’t mean that all music is therefore bad. David used the same instrument for great things.
We read, at the start of this first, that “Jabal’s brother” was Jubal. Not one of his brothers – his brother. It’s possible, of course, that this was just referring to his most famous brother – we don’t really know why God phrased it this way. It’s also possible he had only one brother and dozens of sisters. It’s also possible that for some reason, Lamech was not blessed with many descendants on purpose. Perhaps Adah, their mother, was treated very roughly by her husband, to where she couldn’t conceive. Perhaps she even died young. Or, perhaps God just closed up her womb after a time, because of the wickedness of the world.
Whatever the reason, we see that God is in control. It is He that decides whether someone will conceive and when. He has much more information aobut things than we do; an infinite amount, in fact. He knows what’s best, while we often stagger along in total confusion about what is best. Even when we wind up better than most, however, our best guess is still far away from God’s perfection. Imperfect man can never approach the perfection of our holy God.
We read that Jubal was the father of whose who played music. We don’t know if these were the first musical instruments. Anthropologists today tell us drums are often the first, and this seems to be born out by small children who like to pound on things. However, there’s a difference between these and what Jubal likely did.
Drums aren’t mentioned in the Bible. The more melodious instruments – the harp being one – are often mentioned, however. Drums can only provide a pounding beat, whereas other instruments can provide a more flowing melody. A beat to music can allow one to be put into a trance, if it’s hard enough; when a group of teens on a mission trip had a radio playing rock music, in fact, it prompted one native to proclaim that the music was “calling the devils.” It’s likely that there were drums before this, but the music was probably not soothing, like that of a harp, for instance.
In that case, it’s interesting to note that it was one of Cain’s line to create this melodious sound; to be the father of beautiful music, and to teach in the art of it. This brings up two points.
First, just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it is. We don’t know what kind of music was played, but again, there is no evidence that Jubal played this music for the Lord. There is no evidence that he didn’t, but we can be certain that not all of the music produced by Jubal and his craftsmen praised God. And, it’s possible none did. Music should praise the One who provided the talent, just as scientific discoveries should glorify God, as noted above.
Second, look at the Godly people who have created beautiful music through the years. King David was very skilled at the harp, for instance. God took something that a wicked, evil line created. And, He turned it into something that would glorify Him.
Many things in this world today can be used for good, or for evil. It hasn’t changed since the dawn of time. It’s no wonder that Solomon wrote that “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9) Turning back to the illustrations that were used before,w hen discussing Creation, of course there have been new inventions and such. However, the age-old battle between God and the devil, with God trying to turn things to be used for good and the devil the other way, has existed since the dawn of time. There are some things, of course, that are always evil if used in a certain way, of course; people should never consume poisons, for instance. However, like other things, it doesn’t mean that the things themselves are bad. Music can be used to uplift, soothe, encourage, and strengthen one in one’s walk with God. It’s been used to wistness to others about his wonderful works. Just because Jubal was the first main teacher of things like the harp doesn’t mean that all music is therefore bad. David used the same instrument for great things.
Gen. 4:20
We learn a little about the development of several modern conveniences here. First, we reach about Jabal. The Bible tells us he was the father of a couple different groups. “Father,” here, means the founder of something, just as George Washington has been called the “Father of his country” by Americans, or Hippocrates is called the “Father of modern medicine.”
The groups that Jabal founded are mentioned together. It is uncertain whether these were one and the same, or not. As mentioned in the study of verse 2, it could mean that he was the first to be involved in animal husbandry, the breeding of animals for specific purposes. It could also mean he was the first the wandering, nomadic cowboys. Both, of course, could be possible; he could have had a large empire of cattle, dominating the market, so to speak. It is also possible that cattle were not domesticated for a few hundred years after sheep – and, presumably, other animals – were.
Either way, he did something new. It was a good thing, but done in the wrong way. Jabal didn’t honor God in what he did, just like many who make the world better today.
Consider the mind of most who wish to better humanity. It might be through developing a new way to help people – like the person who first trained guide dogs. It might be through developing better ways to harvest foods. Both of these, and many other good things, can provide lots of benefits to society. God lets us dominion over all the earth because He wants us to use the gifts He gave us – whether it’s guide dogs to help the blind or cattle for milk and as beasts of burden.
However, too often, we lose sight of the Creator. We fail to give Him glory when we see an animal trained to guide people, or rescue them from things like the rubble of an earthquake. These are creatures trained to do this because they are gifts from God. If a Jabal would simply have glorified God when he discovered how to use cattle in whatever manner he did - whether through breeding, through nomadic herding and selling of milk, or whatever – think how much more wonderful it would have been. Yet Jabal, like many of us, is not shown to have ever given God any praise for the ability to use the gifts God gave him. Oh, that we would celebrate true science, that doesn’t conflict with Scripture, by praising God! And yet, when was the last time we saw something like a guide dog – and I’m preaching to myself here, too – and glorified God for the use of that animal? Indeed, when was the last time we saw any invention, and glorified Him?
Some smaller note, of course, should be made of those who dwell in tents. It doesn’t say whether Jabal himself lived a nomadic life, or whether he simply established the concept and taught others to do so. A nomadic life isn’t necessary, of course, to raise cattle; although it took the invention of barbed wire to make settling down and raising large numbers of cattle easy in America’s West. However, it’s possible, too, that the two are totally separate.
While mankind was first placed in a garden, rather than a city, God wanted man to have a place of stability. He didn’t create man to roam, always wondering where he would sleep next. He wanted people to hve stable homes, stable lives, and so on. Of course, sin messed all that up, but a simple life that is secure in the knowledge of God’s leadership in it is still possible, even in our hectic 21st century world. The fact is, Jabal’s dwelling in tents proved that he lacked that security which was only a single, sincere call for help from God away. Let us pray peole today don’t make the same mistake of living their lives in uncertainty, without seeking His forgiveness.
The groups that Jabal founded are mentioned together. It is uncertain whether these were one and the same, or not. As mentioned in the study of verse 2, it could mean that he was the first to be involved in animal husbandry, the breeding of animals for specific purposes. It could also mean he was the first the wandering, nomadic cowboys. Both, of course, could be possible; he could have had a large empire of cattle, dominating the market, so to speak. It is also possible that cattle were not domesticated for a few hundred years after sheep – and, presumably, other animals – were.
Either way, he did something new. It was a good thing, but done in the wrong way. Jabal didn’t honor God in what he did, just like many who make the world better today.
Consider the mind of most who wish to better humanity. It might be through developing a new way to help people – like the person who first trained guide dogs. It might be through developing better ways to harvest foods. Both of these, and many other good things, can provide lots of benefits to society. God lets us dominion over all the earth because He wants us to use the gifts He gave us – whether it’s guide dogs to help the blind or cattle for milk and as beasts of burden.
However, too often, we lose sight of the Creator. We fail to give Him glory when we see an animal trained to guide people, or rescue them from things like the rubble of an earthquake. These are creatures trained to do this because they are gifts from God. If a Jabal would simply have glorified God when he discovered how to use cattle in whatever manner he did - whether through breeding, through nomadic herding and selling of milk, or whatever – think how much more wonderful it would have been. Yet Jabal, like many of us, is not shown to have ever given God any praise for the ability to use the gifts God gave him. Oh, that we would celebrate true science, that doesn’t conflict with Scripture, by praising God! And yet, when was the last time we saw something like a guide dog – and I’m preaching to myself here, too – and glorified God for the use of that animal? Indeed, when was the last time we saw any invention, and glorified Him?
Some smaller note, of course, should be made of those who dwell in tents. It doesn’t say whether Jabal himself lived a nomadic life, or whether he simply established the concept and taught others to do so. A nomadic life isn’t necessary, of course, to raise cattle; although it took the invention of barbed wire to make settling down and raising large numbers of cattle easy in America’s West. However, it’s possible, too, that the two are totally separate.
While mankind was first placed in a garden, rather than a city, God wanted man to have a place of stability. He didn’t create man to roam, always wondering where he would sleep next. He wanted people to hve stable homes, stable lives, and so on. Of course, sin messed all that up, but a simple life that is secure in the knowledge of God’s leadership in it is still possible, even in our hectic 21st century world. The fact is, Jabal’s dwelling in tents proved that he lacked that security which was only a single, sincere call for help from God away. Let us pray peole today don’t make the same mistake of living their lives in uncertainty, without seeking His forgiveness.
Gen. 4:19
We se here the first example of mankind going against God’s rules on marriage by taking two wives. Nowhere does God say it’s okay to have more than one wife. He allowed in in his love and patience toward people at times, but it was always sin, going away from His intended purpose.
Note, too, that Lamech took the wives. Nothing is sais about God marrying them, or even endorsing this action. By this time, mankind – even Seth’s line – had begun to pollute the world with wickedness, which would eventually lead to the destruction of all flesh.
Notice, too, that this was the type of thing God warned Even would happen. The stronger man, accustomed to hunting and other physical labor all his life, felt that he could force his wishes upon women. As we’ll see in verse 23, he was that way with everyone, so it makes sense that he would think he could just take whatever he wanted through brute strength, not considering others and certainly not considering God.
Note, too, that Lamech took the wives. Nothing is sais about God marrying them, or even endorsing this action. By this time, mankind – even Seth’s line – had begun to pollute the world with wickedness, which would eventually lead to the destruction of all flesh.
Notice, too, that this was the type of thing God warned Even would happen. The stronger man, accustomed to hunting and other physical labor all his life, felt that he could force his wishes upon women. As we’ll see in verse 23, he was that way with everyone, so it makes sense that he would think he could just take whatever he wanted through brute strength, not considering others and certainly not considering God.
Gen. 4:18
This verse goes through the genealogy very quickly. Interestingly, while the Lamech in the line of Cain fathers a number of people who will be noted later, nobody is said to do much of anything before then. They chose to ignore God, so God, sadly, let them have free choice.
The same goes on today. People get so caught up in the world that they forget about God completely. They forget they have a Maker, a Creator, Who is looking out for them. One who loves them and longs to nurture them, if they will only come to Him. Remember, His first words to the first sinners were “Where art though” – a fact no doubt told to those of Cain’s line by those of Seth’s. However, as we’ll see at the end of chapter 4, instead of coming to Him with repentant hearts, people chose to start going away from Him far before any of the other things which will be mentioned in the interceding verses.
The same goes on today. People get so caught up in the world that they forget about God completely. They forget they have a Maker, a Creator, Who is looking out for them. One who loves them and longs to nurture them, if they will only come to Him. Remember, His first words to the first sinners were “Where art though” – a fact no doubt told to those of Cain’s line by those of Seth’s. However, as we’ll see at the end of chapter 4, instead of coming to Him with repentant hearts, people chose to start going away from Him far before any of the other things which will be mentioned in the interceding verses.
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