by Wendy Elizabeth Middleton
If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times. Genesis 4:24
We left Cain having grandsons for 5 generations in 2 verses and the fifth generation was Lamech. Now there was a whole lot of other begetting going on through those years because all 5 generations had wives and quite likely many other sons and daughters than just the five mentioned, enough so that Lamech had two wives and three sons and one daughter. He probably had more but these were mentioned.
Lamech’s son Jabal was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
Lamech’s son Jubal was the father of all who play the harp and flute.
Lamech’s son Tubal-Cain forged tools out of bronze and iron.
Lamech’s daughter Naamah sister of Tubal-Cain
I’m thinking that Jabal and Jubal were fathers in the same sense that Hippocrates was the father of medicine. They may have had children but they were also fathers by teaching their crafts to others not necessarily their own children.
Lamech missed the point
Lamech killed a man. He killed a man in vengeance. He did not accidentally kill a man in a fight. He killed a man because that man wounded him. That was vengeance, which God had already claimed for himself with the mark of Cain. Lamech believed that the mark of Cain was in itself the right to avenge, and he claimed it for himself.
Vengeance is Destructive
The Mark of Cain was a clear warning that the right of vengeance belongs to God alone. But we have claimed that mark for ourselves down through the ages. I think of Belfast. One side bombs the other killing, not combatants, but innocent women and children. So the other side claims the mark of Cain and bombs the first side killing, not combatants, but innocent women and children. And the terror raged across Ireland for generations. It always seemed to be the innocent who paid the price for all of these blood thirsty revenge strategies.
Wars always produce collateral damage. God never does.
Seventy-Seven Times
“If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” Genesis 4:24 Lamech claimed the right of vengeance for himself and his sons. This is one of those things that echo through the ages from to Old Testament to the New Testament.
Peter asked Jesus how many times should I forgive my brothers when he sins against me? And he offered a number, seven, like the seven times carried in the Mark of Cain.
But Jesus answered Seventy-seven, clearly reclaiming the Mark of Cain for God alone. (Matthew 18:21-22)
Delusions of Grandeur
With Adam the righteous desire to be like God was twisted and within seven short generations became the desire to BE godlike, choosing who lives, and who dies, exacting vengeance where we will.
With Jesus the righteous desire to be like God has a clear and straight path – forgiveness.
I want to grow up and be just like my Father. But I will never BE my Father, I will only ever have the authority that He gives me. I will never have the authority that He reserves for Himself. That's okay, I'm not as smart as my Father and trying to exercise His full authority would only get me into a whole world of hurt.
Simple – Ain’t – Easy
It is a choice: like God or godlike
and I prefer God with the big G
If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times. Genesis 4:24
We left Cain having grandsons for 5 generations in 2 verses and the fifth generation was Lamech. Now there was a whole lot of other begetting going on through those years because all 5 generations had wives and quite likely many other sons and daughters than just the five mentioned, enough so that Lamech had two wives and three sons and one daughter. He probably had more but these were mentioned.
Lamech’s son Jabal was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
Lamech’s son Jubal was the father of all who play the harp and flute.
Lamech’s son Tubal-Cain forged tools out of bronze and iron.
Lamech’s daughter Naamah sister of Tubal-Cain
I’m thinking that Jabal and Jubal were fathers in the same sense that Hippocrates was the father of medicine. They may have had children but they were also fathers by teaching their crafts to others not necessarily their own children.
Lamech missed the point
Lamech killed a man. He killed a man in vengeance. He did not accidentally kill a man in a fight. He killed a man because that man wounded him. That was vengeance, which God had already claimed for himself with the mark of Cain. Lamech believed that the mark of Cain was in itself the right to avenge, and he claimed it for himself.
Vengeance is Destructive
The Mark of Cain was a clear warning that the right of vengeance belongs to God alone. But we have claimed that mark for ourselves down through the ages. I think of Belfast. One side bombs the other killing, not combatants, but innocent women and children. So the other side claims the mark of Cain and bombs the first side killing, not combatants, but innocent women and children. And the terror raged across Ireland for generations. It always seemed to be the innocent who paid the price for all of these blood thirsty revenge strategies.
Wars always produce collateral damage. God never does.
Seventy-Seven Times
“If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” Genesis 4:24 Lamech claimed the right of vengeance for himself and his sons. This is one of those things that echo through the ages from to Old Testament to the New Testament.
Peter asked Jesus how many times should I forgive my brothers when he sins against me? And he offered a number, seven, like the seven times carried in the Mark of Cain.
But Jesus answered Seventy-seven, clearly reclaiming the Mark of Cain for God alone. (Matthew 18:21-22)
Delusions of Grandeur
With Adam the righteous desire to be like God was twisted and within seven short generations became the desire to BE godlike, choosing who lives, and who dies, exacting vengeance where we will.
With Jesus the righteous desire to be like God has a clear and straight path – forgiveness.
I want to grow up and be just like my Father. But I will never BE my Father, I will only ever have the authority that He gives me. I will never have the authority that He reserves for Himself. That's okay, I'm not as smart as my Father and trying to exercise His full authority would only get me into a whole world of hurt.
In fact that is where this world of hurt comes from.
Simple – Ain’t – Easy
It is a choice: like God or godlike
and I prefer God with the big G
Wendy
No comments:
Post a Comment