Genesis 4:15-26: a reflection

15The LORD said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” The LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him. 16Cain left the LORD’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. 19Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. 20Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah. 23Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.” 25Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the LORD’s name.

This passage traces the line of Cain, and it shows the darkening of the world: Lamech boasts of vengeance far exceeding any wrong done him, killing a man for merely wounding him, and vowing vengeance seventy-sevenfold. Violence and vengeance escalate. But at the very end, amid this darkening, comes a small note of hope: a son is born to Seth, and at that time people began to call on the name of the LORD. Amid the world's growing evil, some began to turn to God.

Notice the contrast at the passage's end: escalating violence, and the beginning of calling on the LORD. On one side, Lamech's boast of escalating vengeance shows the world darkening, evil growing worse. But on the other, quietly, people began to call on the name of the LORD, turning to God amid the surrounding evil. As the world grew darker, a remnant began to turn to God, calling on his name. The escalation of evil did not go unanswered; some turned to God.

That contrast is worth taking to heart, for we live in a world where evil can seem to escalate, growing darker, and we can be tempted to despair. Like the line of Cain, the world can seem given over to escalating violence and evil, growing worse. But even amid such darkening, some turn to God; the beginning of calling on the LORD is God's answer to the world's growing evil. When the world seems to darken, evil escalating around you, do not despair as though evil had the field to itself; even amid the darkening, God is calling a people to himself, and you can be among those who turn to him. Be one who calls on the name of the LORD amid a darkening world, turning to God as the alternative to the world's escalating evil. As the world grew darker in Cain's line, some began to call on the LORD; be among those who turn to God amid the surrounding evil, calling on his name, rather than despairing as though evil had the last word, for the beginning of calling on the LORD is God's answer to a darkening world, and you can be part of it.

Lord, this passage traces the line of Cain, showing the world darkening: Lamech boasts of vengeance far exceeding any wrong, vowing seventy-sevenfold; violence and vengeance escalate. But at the very end comes a small note of hope: a son is born to Seth, and at that time people began to call on the name of the LORD. Amid the world's growing evil, some began to turn to you. Show me the contrast: escalating violence, and the beginning of calling on you. As the world grew darker, a remnant began to turn to you, calling on your name. The escalation of evil did not go unanswered; some turned to you. Take that to my heart, for I live in a world where evil can seem to escalate, growing darker, and I can be tempted to despair. The world can seem given over to escalating violence and evil. But even amid such darkening, some turn to you; the beginning of calling on you is your answer to the world's growing evil. When the world seems to darken, keep me from despairing as though evil had the field to itself; even amid the darkening, you are calling a people to yourself, and I can be among those who turn to you. Help me be one who calls on your name amid a darkening world, Lord, turning to you as the alternative to the world's escalating evil, rather than despairing as though evil had the last word. Help me call on your name.