Genealogies of Cain and Seth
- In what ways do you think the environment they were brought up in has affected people?
- What do the genealogies of Cain and Seth reveal about how we can be influenced by the thinking of others?
We are all influenced by historical settings that enhance or detract from our interpretations of Scripture. It is truly said that no one comes 'from nowhere' but that everyone comes 'from somewhere'
Prof C.Pinnock Most Moved Mover, page 115
- The genealogical chart from the line of Cain contains no mention of death, unlike that of Seth (Gen 5). But why is this so? In answering the question we begin by looking at death. Hebrew thought speaks of death in a variety of ways.
- Death is deparation from God (Gen 2:17). On the day that Adam sinned he did not cease to exist, but he did become separated from God.
- Therefore death can be viewed as the weaker end of life (Psalm 116:3) as existence rather than the abundant life we have been called to in Him.
- Death also speaks of the cessation of biological life as we know it in a conscious lost eternity. Thus it is the opposite of life.
- Cain's lineage was already dead, in the Hebrew sense, (separated and existing as people lived in their own strength and with their own worldview).
- Seth's lineage has the mention of death at the end of one's life on earth; yet for the believer death is the entrance into God's blessing (1 Cor 15:55 'Where O death is your victory?').
- So Cain and his followers were already separated from God in a greater way than Seth who sought to embrace God's ways. Hence there is no mention of death amongst those who were already going their own way, as were the Colossians (and all outside Christ) when God said to them, 'When you were dead in your sins' (Col 2:13).
We now take a look at some of the interesting areas we find in the genealogical charts of Cain and Seth to see the fruit of living by one's own thinking (Cain) and embracing the way of God (Seth).
- The 7th from Adam through Cain is Lamech ...
Adam, Cain, Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, Lamech. - Scripturally speaking the number seven speaks of completion/ perfection. For example we have the seven days of creation and the sevenfold Spirit of God (Rev 1:4).
- God ordained that the words of Lamech in Cain's lineage, and the words of a different Lamech in Seth's lineage be recorded for our benefit. No other words are recorded in either genealogical chart. God is drawing our attention to something. But what? Let's begin with Lamech in the lineage of Cain ...
Lamech: '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
Sin is not taken in deadly earnest when it is regarded as something that can be radically overcome by the enthusiasm of ''good intentions' and then, by and by, can be removed by practical activity. You may cure a wound by such treatment but you cannot restore a dead man to life.
Dr K. Barth in The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life p 23
- In this Lamech we see the fruit from a man rooted in his own thinking. In that he is seventh in line from Adam we see something of the full measure of sin (note Gen 15:16 - sin of Amorites)
- Here in Lamech we have a grown man who wants his wives to see how wonderful he is. He's killed a man for injuring him. He kills in order to look good - hence he boasts
Indeed, like cancer, sin kills because it reproduces. As every councillor knows, one of the most typical settings for this awful fruitfulness is the family. Apples do not usually fall far from the tree. Children not only look but often act like their parents, families transmit sin, including the distorted relationship patterns of those families themselves.
Dr C. Plantinga in, 'Not The Way Its Supposed To Be' p 55
- Lamech does not hold to the value of human life and is proud and boastful. Think about this man for a moment, and then contrast all that he does with the grace of God towards sinners. The grace of the most offended person in this universe to his enemies.
- Now note the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:22 (speaking of forgiveness) and link it to Lamech's words. Jesus said that we are to forgive "not seven times, but seventy-seven times'.
- This does not mean that on the 78th occasion we don't have to forgive. Jesus is showing that one of man's problems has been pride and the failure to forgive others from the beginning. Those who understood scripture would realise this and relate it back to Lamech.
- Now contrast the words of Seth's Lamech with the Lamech of Cain. Of Seth's Lamech we read:-
He named him Noah and said, 'He will comfort us in the labour and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.' Genesis 5:29
- Lamech prophetically named his son Noah. Lamech served God and placed his hope in Him in the way he named his son.
- In Hebrew Noah's name sounds like 'comfort' and means 'rest.' It was Noah whom God called to build an ark. Noah rested in the provision of God's grace, as judgement came upon the earth. Think about it, and ask yourself. What does the contrast between the two Lamechs tell us?
- We have already noted how the number seven is used in scripture and seen that the evil Lamech was the 7th from Adam in the line of Cain - in a sense he showed the fullness of sin - the destruction of life. But who is the seventh in line from Adam through Seth?
Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah
Enoch walked with God; and then he was no more, because God took him away Genesis 5:24
- In the above we catch a glimpse of God's gift to those who approach Him on His terms and through His work. Compare this with the provision that Cain made for the Enoch in his family; he named a city after him.
- Enoch (of Seth) walked with God, so what is this all about? The following verses should begin to paint a picture in our minds.
walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 5-6