In Genesis 4:17 – 6:22, we see the family line of Cain and the unfolding of its early consequences. Cain is building a city, and he “names it after his son Enoch” (4:17). This is the initial record of urbanization which gives rise to a whole host of new problems, difficulties, and sins. Right away, we see Lamech’s violation of God’s design for marriage when he takes two wives. Lamech audaciously brags about his murder “of a young man for injuring” him and expresses a seventy-seven-fold desire for vengeance (verse 24). Only four chapters into Genesis, and we already observe the compounding nature of man’s sin. However, Adam recognizes the birth of Seth as God’s blessing after the loss of his murdered son, Abel (verses 25-26). Genesis reports man’s early events straightforwardly – giving us the necessary facts without providing a lot of detail; immediately, we read that Seth has a son named Enosh, and we are encouraged to see that “at that time, men began to call on the name of the LORD” (verse 26).
In chapter 5, we have the written account of Adam’s line up to Noah, and we cannot help but notice God’s formula about life after sin – “and then he died” – repeated here eight times (verses 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, and 31). This expression is interrupted only in verse 24, where we read the contrasting statement – of Enoch – that “he was no more because God took him away.” Otherwise, the emphasis on death continues to the end of the book with Joseph – who “died … and was placed in a coffin in Egypt” (cf., Genesis 50:26). Significantly, the book opens with God creating life, but it concludes with the result of our sin – death and a coffin.
In chapter six, we read that “man’s wickedness on the earth had become great – inclined to evil all the time” (verse 5), for which reason “God was grieved and decided to wipe mankind from the face of the earth” by a worldwide flood (verse 5-7). But … “Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (verse 8). God wants us to trust Him like Noah did – in God alone – and in no one else. May that be true of us!
In Psalm 3, we recognize that David’s faith was similar to Noah’s. David’s enemies were arrogantly proclaiming that “God would not deliver him.” (verse 2), probably in receipt of treatment similar to that which Noah surely received from his enemies. However, we notice David’s trust in God alone: “You are a shield around me, O LORD … from the LORD comes deliverance” (verses 3-8). David is stating that God alone is trustworthy; He alone secures our rescue. We can “lie down and sleep,” knowing that when we wake up, “the LORD sustains us” – we “need not fear” (verse 5). Such is the truth about our God.
In Matthew 3, we are introduced to the ministry of John the Baptist – the forerunner of our Lord. Wearing camel’s hair clothing and a leather belt, John would have been a sight to behold. John’s messages were scathing toward the Pharisees and Sadducees, pointing out that they needed to produce the “fruit of righteousness and repentance” (verses 7-12). In the next section, John baptizes Jesus to “fulfill all righteousness” (verse 15). Matthew tells us that “John tried to deter Him” (verse 14), but Jesus insisted on being baptized because it was right (i.e., righteous). Baptism is a process of identification. Fully human – yet without sin – Jesus came into this world to identify with us through baptism. In verses 16-17, we see that God the Father verbalized His approval of this process and certified it by sending the Holy Spirit “like a dove – lighting on Him.” Through this record of events – regardless how strange they may appear to us as human beings – by faith, we recognize and accept them as a part of God’s eternal plan to redeem us. It is appropriate and fitting that we express our thanksgiving and our gratitude to God for establishing this principle for living – do what is right.
A beautiful scene of Vienna! It’s amazing that we used to pass by this cathedral daily.