Divergent Lines
Opening Prayer
Lord, you are just and I depend on you to open my eyes to see how my faith impacts those around me.
Read Genesis 4:17–26
[17] Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. [18] To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech. [19] Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. [20] Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. [21] His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. [22] Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah. [23] Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. [24] If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” [25] Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” [26] Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What was the consequence of Cain’s actions? As punishment for killing his brother, Abel, Cain went into exile in the wilderness. Banishment from home hardly seems like a lenient punishment for a man who has killed his brother in cold blood. In grasping for a reason that Cain was driven to murder, we might be tempted to reach for the explanation that his actions were the result of some bad genes. He was a bad egg in the nest. It hardly seems fair that Cain was given the chance to build a new life, have a wife, and become a parent. Abel was dead and Cain did not seem to have paid much of a price for killing him. When we see this pattern played out in our world today, like the psalmist in Psalms 73:3-12, we cry out in frustration. It outrages us to see godless, immoral people prosper and advance in the world when we feel they deserve punishment.After Cain left home, Seth was born to Adam and Eve. This son of Adam represents an entirely different lineage. Seth’s birth is a sign of God’s provision, and through Seth, faith stays alive. Several generations later, Jesus our Savior will be born from this side of the family (Luke 3:38). Although Seth and Cain are brothers from the same parents, their lives took divergent lines. As Christ followers, we come from the spiritual lineage of Seth.As punishment for killing his brother, Abel, Cain went into exile in the wilderness. Banishment from home hardly seems like a lenient punishment for a man who has killed his brother in cold blood. In grasping for a reason that Cain was driven to murder, we might be tempted to reach for the explanation that his actions were the result of some bad genes. He was a bad egg in the nest. It hardly seems fair that Cain was given the chance to build a new life, have a wife, and become a parent. Abel was dead and Cain did not seem to have paid much of a price for killing him. When we see this pattern played out in our world today, like the psalmist in Psalms 73:3-12, we cry out in frustration. It outrages us to see godless, immoral people prosper and advance in the world when we feel they deserve punishment.
After Cain left home, Seth was born to Adam and Eve. This son of Adam represents an entirely different lineage. Seth’s birth is a sign of God’s provision, and through Seth, faith stays alive. Several generations later, Jesus our Savior will be born from this side of the family (Luke 3:38). Although Seth and Cain are brothers from the same parents, their lives took divergent lines. As Christ followers, we come from the spiritual lineage of Seth.
Apply
Take action today to ensure that those who follow you continue in the lineage of Seth.
Closing prayer
Father, I praise you for those who have sustained the line of faith throughout generations.
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