Genesis 4:17-26
November 24, 2002
If I asked you to pick one song which best describes the human condition - what song would you pick?
Pastor you’re asking a lot. One song to describe the human condition? Surely there is not one song that sums up man.
I think I have that song this morning.
It is a song co-written by Paul Anka and sung by old blue eyes.
Read song
Writer(s): Revaux/Francois/Anka
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.
I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
1. The context
the fall of Cain - kills his brother Abel
God’s punishment - verse 10 - restless wandering
verse 16 - Land of Nod - Nod means wandering
2. Cain’s rebellion 4:17-18
The first thing recorded about Cain is the birth of a son in his building of a city.
Three things wrong
a. Building a city to counteract God’s curse of wandering
b. Building a city for protection because he didn’t trust God’s promise.
c. Names the city after his son - looking for permanence and self-glory rather than God’s glory.
Fine God - I’ll do it my way.
3. The rebellion of Cain’s Line 4:19-24
a. Bad 4:19
Lamech tries to achieve God’s blessing to multiply his own way
b. Good 4:21-22
We see the ability of even corrupted and fallen civilization to produce that which has value. However, even great achievements such as these are worth nothing in the absence of God’s purpose.
c. Worse 4:23-24
Lamech - the last listed in this line of Cain
The bottom of the ladder for corruption
God promised to avenge Cain seven times if anyone killed him. Lamech takes it into his own hands. If Cain we be avenged if he is murdered, I will be avenged seventy seven times for just being insulted or injured. Arrogance leads to violence as a way of life.
Proud self-reliance.
When Peter asks Jesus if he should forgive seven times.
Read from My Way
Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
4. The Remnant 4:25-26
Seth - compensation
Enosh - Hebrew for man - just a man
Call on the name of the Lord. God has His remnant. Prayer. True worship. In contrast to Lamech’s proud self-reliance the godly remnant show dependence on God.
Read My Way
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
