Lamech’s
Logic. (Genesis 4:18-24)
We find the life of Lamech
wrapped up in 6 verses(18-24) in Genesis chapter 4. Although little is given
concerning Lamech, there is much that can be seen in the verses that hold his
story. In this study, we will be taking a look at Lamech’s descendants,
Lamech’s disgrace, and Lamech’s decree and we will get a picture of
Lamech’s logic.
Lamech’s Descendants.
As we read verses 18-24, we find out a few things concerning the descendants
of Lamech. In verse 20, we are introduced to Jabal, who lives in tents and owns
cattle, a shepherd. In verse 21, we meet Jubal, who was a musician that played
the harp and organ, possibly where we get the jubilee trumpet. In verse 22,
Tubalcain comes on the scene and he worked with iron and brass and was believed
to be very influential in making weapons. Naamah is mentioned, but nothing is
said about her other than she was Tubalcain’s sister. It is interesting
to note that through the descendants of Lamech, there is a growth in technology
and in skills. Jabal would have brought wealth to his family through his flocks
and cattle; Jubal would have brought entertainment and pleasure to his family
through music; Tubalcain would have brought might and power to his family through
weapons of brass and iron. You may think, "Wow! What a family!" Notice,
however, there is no mention of God. In our country today, we strive for the
same goals as Lamech’s descendants. We want wealth. We want entertainment.
We want power and might. However, we do not want God. Why did these men not
want God? We must look at their forefather. They were all descendants of Cain,
the man who depended on self rather than on God. This is an example of how one
generation can affect the next generation. Oh that we would turn to God now
and teach our next generation to do so, too. Lamech’s trust was in things
and it is seen through his descendants.
Lamech’s Disgrace.
It is interesting to note that Lamech is the first man in the Bible to have
more than one wife (vs.19). There are some who believe that this was acceptable
in the days of Lamech, but I would have to disagree. In Matthew 19:8, Jesus
states "from the beginning it was not so". In this passage in Matthew,
Jesus is addressing the matter of divorce. The Pharisees are asking (vs7) Jesus
why Moses would allow divorce because they wanted to tempt Him (vs.3) Jesus
answered "Moses", not God, "because of the hardness of your hearts
suffered you to put away your wives" (again it was Moses not God that suffered
them). Jesus then adds a remarkable remark stating "but, in the beginning
it was not so". It is not, has not, and will not be God’s plan for
man to have more than one wife. God’s plan is 1man x 1 woman = 1 flesh
for 1 lifetime. Throughout Scripture, we find that several men had more than
one wife and trouble would soon follow. Jacob had 2 wives and 2 concubines and
jealousy and turmoil between the wives followed them. David had more than one
wife and one was the wife of another and the sin caused problems in his kingdom
and the death of a soldier and a child. Solomon had hundreds of wives and the
Bible teaches that he followed after other gods because of them. Lamech has
two wives and we are going to see that there is trouble again.
Lamech’s Decree.
In verses 23-24, Lamech addresses his wives in a seemingly proudful tone. He
states "Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for
I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt If Cain shall
be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold." It would seem
here that Lamech had killed a man in self-defense. You may wonder, "is
that wrong"? The answer is "no". The problem in this scenario
is that Lamech claims that "if Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech
seventy and sevenfold". What he is doing here is taking a promise given
by God to Cain and applying it to himself without God being involved. There
are times when I hear unbelievers claim a promise of God for themselves. This
usually occurs during a time of need or tragedy in their lives and they search
for answers and comfort. In reality, most promises by God are for the believer.
Lamech claimed God’s promise and added to it. Lamech may have killed this
man by using the weapons that he and his son developed. His trust was definitely
not in the Lord.
Dear friend, what do you
put your trust in? Do you use Lamech’s logic and put your trust in everything
but God. What do you put your trust in to get to heaven? Works? Baptism? Being
a good person? I would hope that you would put your faith and trust in Jesus
Christ. He is the only Way. John 14:6 says "Jesus said unto him(Thomas),
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me." You can trust Him today.
Dear believer, is Jesus
the Lord of your life? Have you given him all areas of your life?? If you have,
He will be Lord over your money, entertainment, power, and marriage. This means
that He will have an influence on how you handle your money, what you choose
for entertainment, how you use your power and strength, and the decisions made
in your marriage. Lamech did not consider God and trouble followed him. Someone
hurt Lamech and he killed him. Give Jesus control over all matters of your life.
You will not regret that decision.
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Calvary Baptist Church.
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