I love the word of God and the fact that the depth of knowledge within it is a bottomless well that will never run dry. I’ll listen to a preacher, or someone speaking about a certain text and think, “wait a minute…. where did that come from! I don’t remember that.” My pea size brain can only comprehend snack size bits of wisdom, else it overflows. So as the preacher preached Sunday on Genesis 4, my mind was overwhelmed by the snack size stories within each verse, that were actually full course meals when studied out. Genesis 4 tells the story of multiple generations of Adam and Eve’s family; and in these troubled times Cain’s slaying of his brother and the tumultuous future of his family because of his leadership drew me in this morning for a lesson on the tragedy of leaving the presence of God. A worthwhile reminder for any child of God about the consequences of disobedience.
Genesis 4:
[16] And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. [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. [18] And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. 19] And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Four generations into this text we have Lamech, who thought it wise to take two wives. Not God’s intention, but none the less he did that and began to father children, children who were the beginnings of a social and industrial society, not a God focused society. There is no mention of them in a relationship with the Lord, only in a relationship with the world. Sounds a lot like society of today.
The First Cowboy
[[20] And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
Agriculture is certainly a blessing! Who doesn’t like a good hamburger with lettuce and onion? That of course is my choice of meats and toppings. And while it was not God’s intention in the beginning for McDonald’s to sell two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun, it has been a part of our society for as long as I can remember, and is not viewed as evil. Well… unless you’re a member of PETA.
I find it interesting that up until this point on the earth, nobody had made a business out of the cattle until Jabal and then it says he was “of such as have cattle.” So I guess Jabal really was the first cowboy. But they evidently did not have cowboy church, because there is no mention of his relationship with God. We have to remember that he is the 4th generation from Cain who had gone away from the presence of the Lord. Generally speaking the further a generation moves away from the Lord, the more evil it becomes. Jabal may have the title as the first cowboy, but he is not mentioned but once in the scripture.
The First Concerto
[21] And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Juba. l. From which is derived the word Jubilation! A word I have always associated with someone like the Happy Goodman Family when they sang the song “Jubilee.” It’s hard for me to imagine jubilation outside of the spiritual realm, but that’s where it started. The great, great, great, great, grandchild of Cain was skilled with the harp and the organ (which was a flute). The first in the entertainment industry and it does not say it’s foundation was in God. That sets an alarm for me that, because of it’s origin, children of God should always make sure their worship is Christ centered, not worldly centered. It’s been a debate with baptist churches for ages that rock music has no place in the church. I won’t argue that point, but I will say this, if anything in a worship service has your focus on anything but God, you’re out of line with God’s intention which is to glorify and praise Him. I’m not judging contemporary churches, some of which I love. But I am saying that they don’t always leave me seeing Jesus.
The First Industrialist
[22] And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
I found it interesting that there was a mention of his sister. There were many other “sisters” in those days, but obviously Naamah, was something special. A quick study of her said that she may have been the “Venus” of the day, known for her beauty and possibly worshipped. Her name means “pleasant” and is the name of a demon in Jewish mysticism. It’s strange how beautiful things can become so evil, but such is the case in our world. When you think about objects that have become idols it’s easy to understand the danger of Cain’s families skills and the danger of our own. Talents have gotten far more than one in trouble throughout history.
A tragic end to Lamech their farther is that he ends up following in Cain’s footsteps and killing two people.
[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.
So where did this brief study of the first cowboy, first concerto and first industrialist bring my mind today? To the understanding that we are just one generation from a godless society if we do not take a stand and a vocal one!
