The Birth of Civilization

Genesis 4:17-26
[17] 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. [18] To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. [19] And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. [20] Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. [21] His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. [22] Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

[23] Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
[24]  If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold,
then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”

[25] 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.” [26] To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began tocall upon the name of the LORD.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  In what ways does God extend grace to Cain and his descendants? How should this impact our view of God and culture?
2.  What is common grace, and how does it point us to saving grace?
3.  How would you characterize Lamech? Why do you think Moses included this brief account of him?
4.  What does Eve’s response to the birth of Seth tell us about his significance? How does his birth anticipate Christ?
5.  What does it mean in v. 26 that at the time of Enosh “people began to call upon the name of the LORD”? What does it look like for us to call upon his name?

References: Matthew 5:45; Genesis 2:24; 3:16; Romans 1:29-32; Genesis 3:15.