Boldness of Sin

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

BOLDNESS OF SIN

Gen 4:19-24

19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain's sister was Naamah. 23 Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.  24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."

NIV

First, we should notice that polygamy shows up right away in the land of Nod, East of Eden. This is not an endorsement by God for this to be the normal practice, but this is sin crouching at the door of a man’s heart. Although there are some groups today that still practice polygamy. We also notice that their sons take on various interests. Because we take God’s word straight forward, we believe these men were knit together in their mother’s womb to have those varied interests so that mankind would grow to have each doing some part that benefits the rest. The truth we need to pay closer attention to is the words of Lamech to his wives. Although this Hebrew word, harag has been translated as “I have killed” the more direct meaning is to kill, to slay, to destroy. We wonder if this could be seen as Lamech telling his wives, “I could kill a young man if he were to wound me, I would avenge any offense against me and God would avenge me even more than he did Cain”. This is a bold claim, again we see man thinking he can take killing into his own hands and it is not just alright with God, but God would make sure he was protected from any revenge against his actions of murder. The boldness of a man to think like that is astonishing. The problem is that Jesus made sure that the hatred of someone is the same as murder. It is not that we Christians would hate anyone, but we wonder if not loving them might be close to hating them. But the main point here is thinking we can sin, and God will protect us against retaliation for our offending someone. Our sins are indeed covered under the blood of Jesus, but that should not give us a reason to think we have the freedom to wound someone just because we have that ability. Of course, we still sin, we still fall short of the glory of God, and are not perfect people, but we should not be so bold to think we have that freedom to do whatever we want, to say or injure someone, with our words, or deeds, as we please and think God is going to protect us against their response. Let us always be aware of how we live in Christ and that we are his image bearer, thus reflecting his glory. Let us not expect God’s approval for sin, as Lamech did. We cannot boldly sin, as Lamech did.