Repeated phrases:
3 childbirths were recorded in chapter 4.
When Eve gave birth to Cain, she recognized that with the LORD's help she had a boy v.1.
Again in v.25, when she gave birth to Seth she said, "God has given me another child..."
However, Cain's wife was silent when she gave birth to Cain's son v.17. In his family, the LORD's name is never mentioned. From the world's standard, they were pretty "successful." First, Cain built a city v.17. A city! Not just a home. He was a wanderer as a punishment and now he built and owned a city. Then Lamech's descendants were the father of different talents: (“father” means “founder,” referring to the first to establish such lifestyles and occupations (NET)") the first to live in tents and keep livestock v.20, the first to play the harp and the flute, v.21, and the first who heated metal and shaped all kinds of tools made of bronze and iron v.22. What was the moral and spiritual lives of Cain's descendants? Lamech took 2 wives, and he was proud and violent v.23,24.
4:23 Lamech said to his wives,
“Adah and Zillah! Listen to me!
You wives of Lamech, hear my words!
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for hurting me.
4:24 If Cain is to be avenged seven times as much,
then Lamech seventy-seven times!”
Cain was protected by God and gave him a mark so that no one would strike him down v.15. Lamech foretold his opponent's revenge. Also, he repaid violent acts with more violence.
"Lamech seems to reason this way: If Cain, a murderer, is to be avenged seven times (see v. 15), then how much more one who has been unjustly wronged! Lamech misses the point of God’s merciful treatment of Cain. God was not establishing a principle of justice when he warned he would avenge Cain’s murder. In fact he was trying to limit the shedding of blood, something Lamech wants to multiply instead. The use of “seventy-seven,” a multiple of seven, is hyperbolic, emphasizing the extreme severity of the vengeance envisioned by Lamech (NET)."
Reflections: Cain born with sin nature (same as Abel). He failed in his early year to struggle with sin and let his anger took control over him. Although he and his family might seemed to be successful he had not repented from his sins and his family did not know God. His descendants were worse than him. Lamech took 2 wives and was proud and violent. We dont see any way out if God did not intervene in the history of mankind.
I prayed that I will repent my sins and did not continue in sinning against God. Sin needed to be stopped as soon as I can and do not let it continue to control me.
Although I may seem fine in the world's perspective, I am not if I did not repent.
Finally, again the problem of being proud continues in Genesis. From Adam to Lamech, I am reminded to be humble and recognize that God is the one in authority. Not me. God is the One who protects me, not myself.
Audrey
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