Genesis 4:17-22 (ESV)
Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Chapters four of Genesis might be considered, by some, a less significant section of the Bible. In chapters 1-3 we have the creation of mankind. In chapters 5-7 we have the narrative about the destruction of mankind, via the flood, with the exception of Noah and his family. So, why have a journal entry about chapter four. Because chapter four contains two important events that we must consider to put the flood of the earth into context.
Chapter four starts out with Cain, Adam and Eve’s first born, killing Able, their second born. That is obviously significant because it shows us the end result of sin when it is unchecked by God’s grace. Although the Apostle James was speaking spiritual, rather than actual physical, note what he said about sin:
James 1:13-15 (ESV)
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
So, the first part of the chapter shows the sin of mankind fully on display. But, as we read the second part of the chapter (see above) we see Cain’s line develop. Turning away from God, Cain’s sin led his family to invest in other interests. These interests are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, but do show a beginning pattern of mankind finding other ways and other interests in life. We read in the above passage that Jabel was a person who lived in tents and had livestock. We then see his brother, Jubal, was interested in and the creator of, musical instruments. His cousin, Tubal-Cain, made tools of bronze and iron. Again, these interests are not sinful. But, it does show as mankind developed their God-given creative nature begins to unfold. But, we have to remember that their sin nature, expressed (and passed on) by their great-great-great-grandfather, Cain, killing his brother, is also part of the story. We probably don’t think much about these early Bible characters being the creators of musical instruments and/or bronze and iron tools. But, sin did not stop their creative juices from flowing. Sin only prevented them from using the musical instruments and iron tools to glorify God in a pure manner. It is refreshing to see the end of the chapter close with:
Genesis 4:25-26 (ESV)
And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.
We sin, then, that sin does not prevent creativity. We also see that our creativity can be used to “call upon the name of the LORD.” God is creative and He has made man a creative being. The issue is NOT what we create, but rather what we do with our creation in relationship with our worship of the LORD. Go fourth and be creative. But, use the creation to call upon Him and worship Him.
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