Gen 4:20-22 | KingComments | STEP | The first record of a genealogy in the Bible is that of Cain, the genealogy of the line of unbelief, of flesh. In Genesis 5 comes the genealogy of faith ( ). Here we see the principle: “The spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual” ( ). We have seen this in the bringing of the offering: first Cain brings an offering, then Abel. The fact that Cain builds a city and calls it after the name of his son is proof that this record of genealogy is about people who live in unbelief. He writes his own glory on his building. His descendant Lamech tramples on God’s institution of marriage by taking two wives. The children he has begotten with these wives have received qualities from God but they use them for themselves. 1. Jabal is “the father of those who dwell in tents and [have] livestock”, which we can apply to economic prosperity, property and convenience. 2. Jubal is “the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe”, which we can apply to bringing entertainment through art and culture and other forms of amusement. 3. Tubal-cain is “the forger of all implements of bronze and iron”, which stands for science and technology. These things characterize the world today. There is no need to ask God. Man arranges everything himself. We also hear the bragging voice of Lamech who boasts of his power. He is the man who can stand up for himself. He finds himself head and shoulders above his ancestor Cain. No one will be able to do anything to him, Lamech, or that person will be punished much more severely than the one who would kill Cain. He finds himself that important.

‏ Genesis 4:20-22

The Descendants of Cain

The first record of a genealogy in the Bible is that of Cain, the genealogy of the line of unbelief, of flesh. In Genesis 5 comes the genealogy of faith (Gen 5:1). Here we see the principle: “The spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual” (1Cor 15:46). We have seen this in the bringing of the offering: first Cain brings an offering, then Abel. The fact that Cain builds a city and calls it after the name of his son is proof that this record of genealogy is about people who live in unbelief. He writes his own glory on his building.

His descendant Lamech tramples on God’s institution of marriage by taking two wives. The children he has begotten with these wives have received qualities from God but they use them for themselves.

1. Jabal is “the father of those who dwell in tents and [have] livestock”, which we can apply to economic prosperity, property and convenience.

2. Jubal is “the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe”, which we can apply to bringing entertainment through art and culture and other forms of amusement.

3. Tubal-cain is “the forger of all implements of bronze and iron”, which stands for science and technology.

These things characterize the world today. There is no need to ask God. Man arranges everything himself.

We also hear the bragging voice of Lamech who boasts of his power. He is the man who can stand up for himself. He finds himself head and shoulders above his ancestor Cain. No one will be able to do anything to him, Lamech, or that person will be punished much more severely than the one who would kill Cain. He finds himself that important.