Foundations in Genesis

October, 2004

by: Jeff Jones

Genesis 1–11

Understanding Genesis 1–11 is vital for understanding the sinful condition of our world and vital for appreciating our salvation. Just as it would be difficult to appreciate Frodo's quest toward Mt. Doom without knowing about the forging of the Ring of Power and the Dark Lord Sauron, so it is difficult to appreciate God's promise to bless the world through Abraham (which ultimately comes about through the Messiah Jesus; cf. Rom 15:8; Gal 3:13-14) without knowing Genesis 1–11 (which explains the Fall of mankind, etc.).

In my last article, I addressed the issue of what Man was seeking when he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Ultimately, we discovered, he was seeking to decide for himself, apart from God, what is good and what is evil; he was seeking to rule his own life independently of God. This, therefore, led to separation from God's sustaining presence in the garden, away from the tree of life, i.e., death — and not for Adam and Eve only, but for the entire subsequent human race as well.

On either side of this story in Genesis, however, through the use of poetry, the author helps us see what kind of effects this separation from God had on our world. That is, at the end of chapter 2, there is a poem uttered by Adam, and, at the end of chapter 4, there is another poem uttered by a descendent of Cain, named Lamech. Adam's poem is an exclamation of wonder and commitment expressed toward his newly fashioned wife (cf. 2:22–23). “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, because this one was taken out of man” (my translation). The Hebrew language emphasizes Adam's excitement and thankfulness for Eve, and moreover, the text goes on to emphasize the exclusive unity these two were to have as husband and wife, according to God's design (2:24).

But… on the other side of the Fall… there is another poem given by another husband (cf. 4:23–24). This time however, it is not toward his one wife, but his two wives. And, this time it is not a poem expressing endearment, but rather a threat. Lamech said, “Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice, you wives of Lamech, give heed to my speech, for I have killed a man for wounding me and a boy for striking me; If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech is avenged seventy–seven fold.” In other words, “You women better listen to me, because I am one bad dude! I kill people, even young boys!! If you thought Cain was bad for killing his brother, well, I'm worse!!!” What a contrast from the early poem. Before the Fall there the marriage relationship was held together with love, affection, and commitment, but now not only is it contrary to God's design (i.e., two wives rather than one), it is held together by malicious threatening and scare tactics.

The point: Lamech is a prime example of what life is like apart from dependence upon the Creator. Apart from God, we see brothers hating each other (as with the example of Cain), we see ungodly marriages (as with this example of Lamech); or, in a nutshell, we see sin. These stories in Genesis 1–11 should serve to help you appreciate God's eventual call to Abraham and promise to reverse these things and bless the world through his seed, namely Jesus!