Genesis: 4 – Setting A Precedent

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. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” (Genesis 4:23, 24)

Lamech.

I don’t hear a lot about Lamech mentioned in bible studies, teachings and sermons. I can appreciate he’s not the first guy you think about when you open Bible. Noticing what is written about him concerning his two wives and creative offspring, he would be set for life with all that behind him.

What he says after killing a man, however, shows how much man can take the grace of God for granted. Appealing to his ancestor to cover him in his crimes is almost like an excuse. It’s like a justification for his behaviour because he had a forbear who was given a sign over him.

It overlooks the seriousness of Cain’s sin. It overlooks how the sin had transpired and how seriously God took it. It takes one piece of the story and runs away with it. to the point that he;s able to boast to his wives about it.

What condition puts you in a place where you think your sinful actions can be justified? That question isn’t just one to consider regarding Lamech. It’s one to reflect on when we consider our own approaches to sin. On an individual and collective level we might believe a precedent has been set by the behaviour or consequences of others. Perhaps it’s embedded in tradition. Maybe it was something that has been accepted without questioning. Worse still, maybe it’s something that is flaunted in society because we don’t see the true underlying consequences of it as yet.

Whatever the case may be, what we cannot afford to do is allow that attitude to continue. The proper response to sin is not boasting. Setting that precedent can have damaging repercussions for generations to come.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden