Genesis 4 p2 –
Genesis 5
Last week we learned about Cain and Abel. About offering, jealousy, revenge. We learned that both brothers made an offering to the Lord, but only one offering was looked favorably upon. It wasn’t necessarily what each brother gave; animal versus grain, but it was the attitude with which they gave it. Cain gave “some” offering over “some” amount of time. Abel gave the first of his flock. God doesn’t tell us to be generous or to tithe for his benefit, he does it for our benefit. If we give from the first of our money, it protects us from the “root of all evil.“
God approaches Cain “before“ he kills his brother and tries to warn him that sin is crouching at the door. He also approaches Cain after he commits murder and gives him consequences, but also gives him grace and protection.
Read Genesis 4:17 through 26
Noticed the overall pattern. What do we observe?
Describe Lamech’s attitude and actions.
Verse 19 -This is the first recorded time of somebody taking two wives. God said in chapter 3 one man one woman, here in chapter 4 man has fallen from Gods ideal.
Verse 23 -Here it says that Lamech is boasting about killing a man just for wounding him. It’s revenge multiplied. It’s also taking God‘s words (7x) and adding to them with your bragging.
The lifestyle of Cains family is a picture of humanity:
technical progress matched by moral decline. How do you see this reality in our own civilization?
What gives an element of hope in the midst of this sad story? Verse 25–26
V 25 – in place of Abel. Could suggest that Seth will have a generous heart?
V 26 – People began to call on the name of the Lord.
Read chapter 5
This is the book of the generations of Adam. Recall the outline. The Cain branch of Adams line was summarized in chapter 4 and set aside. Only the Seth branch is going to survive judgment in the flood of Noah.
10. What is 5:1-32 about?
What’s the Point? Every Old Testament narrative is on three levels: it is an individual episode; it is part of Israel’s history; and it is part of God’s ongoing history of redemption. A narrative like Genesis 5:1-32 may not have a moral of its own, but it is important as part of Israel’s history or the story of fall and redemption. Another clue to seeing the point of a narrative is asking, “How does this passage relate to what comes before and after it?” The genealogies (family trees) of Genesis may bore us, but each one has a purpose in the overall message of the book.
Read from my study guide by Hummel.
“Biblical genealogies are provided to trace descendants and not to calculate a span of time. Sometimes generations are omitted. For example Matthew stylized scheme has three sets of 14 generations (Matthew 1: through 17) and leaves out three consecutive kings. So the names in genesis should be understood as separate landmarks rather than continuous links. Biblical genealogies also serve to bear witness to the historical nature of the record. Furthermore, the genesis narrative often presents the patriarchs not simply as individuals with small families but as heads of clans. Tribal relationships are expressed as families in the hereditary line. In genesis genealogy sometimes referred to a clan rather than an individual.”
Sidenote – these comments by this author would suggest that he believes we have an old earth. I stated a couple weeks ago I believe the earth is 6000 years old. They use these genealogies to date the earth. But I also stated I don’t know, but it makes sense to me. I just found it interesting that he laid this out as if “he knows“. That can be dangerous. It’s a good time for me to reiterate that anything I say, Travis says, Adam, Andy Stanley, Billy Graham, none of that is God through his word. All things must be taken back to the Bible for truth. I’m doing the best I can, but only God is always right. God also says he’s holds anyone teaching his word to a higher standard, which I find interesting. But it’s also an example that the 6000 years versus an old earth isn’t a deal killer. I’m still using this guys workbook because it’s not a major. Jesus died for our sins is a major. The only way to get to heaven is through believe in Jesus, is a major. Just a sidenote.
11. The refrain “and then he died” echoes through chapter 5. What truth should this echo drive home for us (see 2:17; 3:4)?
12. a. Enoch alone leaves the story differently: “He was no more, because God took him away” (5:24). What do you think the phrase “God took him away” means
Hebrews 11:5-6)
5. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
b. Why did Enoch receive special treatment (see Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5-6)?
Tough one – c. What New Testament promise does Enoch’s experience point toward?
Read -1 Corinthians 15:50-57
Optional Application: What implications does the promise in 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 have for your present life?
13. What do chapters 4 and 5 contribute to the message of Genesis?
chapter 4
chapter 5
What does the descent of Cain contribute to our understanding of the state from which the promised offspring (see 3:15) needed to free mankind? What does the account of Seth’s line contribute to this? (Notice that the descent of Cain focuses on sin and the line of Seth focuses on death.) Why do we need to know that Noah was descended from Adam (who bore God’s likeness, 5:1) through Seth (who bore Adam’s likeness, 5:3)? How do Cain’s and Seth’s lines contrast each other? What do they have in common? Why is it important to know that Adam begat Seth, who begat Noah, who begat Abraham, who begat David, who begat Jesus (as Luke 3 points out)?
NOTE – It’s important to remember that omitting names from genealogies was standard practice, not dishonesty, in Moses’ day. The lists in Genesis serve their purpose of tracing family connections whether they are complete or not, although they may not allow us to date the Flood and the Creation.[
Genesis (LifeChange Book 16). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Genesis (LifeGuide Bible Studies) Hummel/Hummel God’s Creative Call
The Gospel Project – https://www.gospelproject.com