Battle For The Truth (Part 36)

Introduction

Heretofore in the Genesis record, we understand and are witnesses that God through the word of His power in six 24/hour days, Created time, heaven and earth, and everything contained therein—including plant and animal life. And, on Day 6, as His crowning achievement, using the dust of the ground, God made Adam in His own image and after His own likeness. Then breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. Furthermore, we learn that from one of Adam’s ribs, God made a woman, whom Adam called woman and later named Eve, because she was the mother of all living human beings. Also, the record shows that in the Garden of Eden, behind the scenes as it were, there was another creature (Satan) that used the serpent to cause Adam and Eve to fall from grace by disobeying God’s command to not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The consequences of disobedience were death (spiritual death was immediate—they discovered that they were naked and physical death came years later) and judgment. Nevertheless, within the curse upon the serpent there is a promise which is Good News for mankind. God promised that through the Seed of the woman, a conquering Redeemer would come to destroy Satan and restore fallen man back to a right relationship with God.

There is clear evidence that because of the curse God placed upon the ground and judgment upon Adam and Eve, life outside of the Garden of Eden was arduous and heartbreaking. The evil that was in the forbidden fruit is on full display in the 1st family—the firstborn Cain, murders his brother Abel, the 2nd born. As a result of his murderous act, Cain is cursed and evicted from the land of Eden. Cain did not repent or seek forgiveness from God, but only complained that his punishment was too harsh. Now living in exile, Cain sires a family and establishes a secular society that reflects his evil attitude and ways. Now, these things are either true or not true. Amen somebody. So, as this Battle For The Truth continues, I would like to examine the Portrait of a Secular Society.

Text

Genesis 4:17 – “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.”

Enoch or Hanoch = "dedicated" - eldest son of Cain and the city which Cain built and named after his son Enoch.

Irad (ee-rawd’) - Irad= "fleet"- son of Enoch, grandson of Cain, and father of Mehujael.

Mehujael (mekh-oo-yaw-ale’) - Mehujael= "smitten by God" son of Irad and great grandson of Cain.

Methusael (meth-oo-shaw-ale’) Methusael = "who is of God" - son of Mehujael, 4th in descent from Cain, and father of Lamech.

Lamech (leh’-mek) - Lamech= "powerful" - 5th lineal descendant from Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, father of sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, and daughter, Naamah.

Genesis 4:19, 23-24 – “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. (23) And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. (24) If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Adah (aw-daw’) - Adah = "ornament" - 1st of the 2 wives of Lamech and mother of Jabal and Jubal.

Jabal (yaw-bawl’) – Jabal = "stream of water" - the son of Lamech by Adah described as the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

Jubal (yoo-bawl’) - Jubal = "stream" - son of Lamech by Adah and the inventor of musical instruments.

Zillah (tsil-law’) - Zillah = "shade" - 2nd wife of Lamech and mother of Tubal-cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron.

Tubalcain (too-bal’ kah’- yin) - Tubal-cain = "thou will be brought of Cain" - son of Lamech by his wife Zillah and the first worker in metal.

Naamah (nah-am-aw’) – Naamah = "loveliness" - daughter of Lamech by his wife Zillah and sister of Tubal-cain.

Among Cain’s progeny, Lamech is distinguished as the first to marry multiple wives and exhibit Cain’s murderous ways. Lamech kills a man and like Cain shows no remorse. In fact, he esteems himself of greater importance than Cain in that he attributed greater protection to himself than God gave to Cain. Through his expressed prideful and haughty nature, Lamech characterizes the spreading effects of sin in this secular society.

Side Note: As its name implies, there was good in the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We see population growth, the development of building skills, tools, weapons, and musical instruments. Man’s potential seems boundless. Obviously, they had knowledge, skills, and the ability to accomplish seemingly whatever their minds could conceive. However, evidence shows that they could not bridle evil. Moreover, the results are in which we will see in Chapter 6, that life absent the acknowledgment of God and obedience to His commands ends in destruction. Amen somebody.

Also, God’s grace is often taken for granted and misunderstood. Because the unbelieving world enjoys God’s general grace, they convince themselves that either God does not exist or He is powerless over the affairs of this world, or that He will accept them on their own terms. Referring to the Father, Jesus says in Matthew 5:45, “…he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” God is so gracious that He allows rebellious man to breath His air, drink His water, eat His food, and enjoy the benefits of His sunshine and rain. You see, giftedness, health, wealth, and prosperity does not equal approval by God. In 1 Timothy 6:3-5, the Apostle Paul touched on this issue in his first letter to his protégé Timothy regarding what things to teach among the people of God. Paul wrote, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (4) He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” What was characteristic in Cain’s day, was true during the period of the Judges, and it could be argued that the same is true today— “…every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) People are blessed in so many ways and continue to enjoy God’s grace and mercy. This temporary state of blessedness without acknowledging God or obeying God’s commands causes many people to think that either there is no God or that God approves of their lifestyle.

This is a tragic miscalculation. One of the things that the Genesis narrative makes abundantly clear is that God has Everlasting Sovereign Authority over everything and everybody. When God speaks it is established as truth. God said, “Light be,” and “Light was.” God warned Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that he disobeyed, he would surely die. Adam disobeyed and he surely died—spiritually and physically. Listen, God does not change. He is the same today as He was in Genesis. He does not compromise nor wink at sin. As our text today shows, people may get by with sin for a while, but they will not get away. God will judge sin. Amen somebody.

Furthermore, although not mentioned by name yet seen in the effect on man’s behavior is the real enemy of man’s soul—Satan. We see his ungodly influence upon the developing culture to the point that Lamech is driven to vengeful murder.

Vv. 25-26 – “And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. (26) And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.”

Just when it looked like all hope was lost, God moves His plan and promise forward. Although the godly line of Abel was cut off by Cain’s murderous act, God blesses Adam and Eve with Seth through whom He would fulfill His promise. Seth means “compensation,”because according to Eve God “appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.” What we learn from this portion of the historical narrative is the forensic evidence that although man may drift away from God, God is longsuffering, merciful and gracious. Through good and evil, God is working out His Plan of salvation. Therefore, no matter how dark the day and overwhelming the forces of evil, nothing nor anyone can stop or interrupt the plan of God. Amen somebody.

Conclusion

My brothers and sisters, this same spirit of murder, which includes abortion continues to plague our world today. Nevertheless, be encouraged, God is still on the throne. I know these are perilous times and it looks like the enemy is winning. But I recall one Friday on a hill called Calvary when it looked like the devil had won the day, Jesus died for the sins of all who will repent and cried out to Him for salvation. Jesus said, “It is finished,” and He cried out to His Father and said, “Father into thy hands, I commend my spirit.” And, He hung His head in the locks of His shoulders and gave up the ghost. But, I am so glad that that is not where the story ends, for three days later, the same Jesus rose from the dead. and for forgiveness when men cried out crucify Him. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” And until next time, may God richly bless you, my beloved. AMEN.