Home Fallen man
Category:

Fallen man

Biblical HistoryFallen manMankind

Noah

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

God’s anger and judgement are difficult topics. They are however, a constant theme in the scriptures. God has a personality and these are part of who He is. As we look to these things we better understand the other sides of His nature. We learn His heart. In reading Genesis 6, we consider the condition of mankind, the man Noah, and God’s plan.

The Condition of Man

The condition of man was deplorable. God said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh.” At this point He states, “His days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” When He looked upon man he saw great wickedness. The heart of man, his every intent, and the thoughts of his heart were continually evil. It broke the heart of God. The heart which once declared, “It is good,” repented of making man. Man was corrupt and earth was full of violence.

Noah

Despite God’s grieving heart, there was one bright spot. His name was Noah. “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” What made Noah different? We read that he was a just man. In his generation he was a man of integrity. He was blameless in his walk with God.

God’s Plan

In Noah, God found a man who would hear His heart. He told him the earth was full of violence and His plans to destroy them with the earth. Then He made a covenant with Noah, a covenant of protection for Noah, his family, and a remnant of the animals. In reading Genesis 6, we considered the condition of mankind, the man Noah, and God’s plan.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Biblical HistoryFallen manMankind

Cain’s Line vs. Seth’s

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

A quick look at Genesis 4 and 5 can be confusing. There are similar names, but as you dig deeper you realize, a contrast exists. In today’s reflection we contrast Cain’s line with Seth’s line, by looking at the two Enoch’s, the legacy of each line, and how each one looked to the future.

Two Enochs

Cain’s first son was named Enoch. During his life, Cain built a city and named it Enoch after his son. King David in Psalm 49 attributes this practice to fools who think their houses will continue on. In contrast, Enoch of the line of Seth, walked with God. His relationship with God was so close that God took him. One’s connection remained to the earth while the other one connected to God’s kingdom.

Legacy

Cain’s line, through his wife Adah were Jabal and Jubal. While Jabal was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock, Jubal was the father of those who play the harp and the flute. His son through his wife Zillah, named Tubal-Cain, was an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. There was also one sister. In the listing of Adam’s line through Seth, unlike Cain’s, the years of their lives are listed rather than their accomplishments. Methuselah, lived the longest at 969 years, a blessing from the LORD.

Future

By the time we see the name Lamech, we also see a tendency in how they looked to the future. Lamech of the line of Cain, called his wives together. He confessed of murder and remembered his father. His look to the future was grim. The writer of Genesis interjects at this point to mention the birth of Seth, to replace the line of Abel. He mentions the birth of Seth’s son Enosh, and comments that it is the time when men began to call on the name of the LORD. Then in contrast, Lamech of the line of Seth, fathered Noah, and foretold this of him, “This one will comfort us concerning or work and the toil of our hands.” It is a look of hope.

In today’s reflection we contrasted Cain’s line with Seth’s line, looked at the two Enoch’s, the legacy of each line, and how each one looked to the future.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Biblical HistoryFallen manmercy

Cain and a Merciful God

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Having previously examined Abel, we now turn our attention to Cain, Adam and Eve’s firstborn. In Genesis 4, we learn of Cain and a merciful God. We read about his relationship with God, the choice he made and its consequences, and finally, God’s mercy.

Relationship With God

Cain had a relationship with God. He knew from his name that his birth came with help from the Lord. There was also the knowledge that God required an offering. Since he was a tiller of the ground, would it not make sense to offer from the fruit of the ground? Nevertheless, God did not respect his offering. When God saw Cain was troubled by it, He reasoned with him, asking why he was angry and despondent. Then He counselled him. The Living Bible writes it this way, “It can be bright with joy if you will do what you should! But if you refuse to obey, watch out. Sin is waiting to attack you, longing to destroy you. But you can conquer it!”

Cain’s Choice and its Consequences

Cain made a choice and received the consequences. He refused to listen to God and gave into the sin which made him a murderer. When God confronted him, he became defensive. Now the earth from which Abel’s blood cried out, would no longer respond to him and he would be a fugitive on the earth.

God’s Mercy

But we also read of God’s mercy. Cain cried out to God. “It is more than I can bear!” He acknowledged his being driven from the ground, but also realized he would be hidden from the face of God. Now vulnerable, he feared for his own life. God in His mercy, marked Cain and promised a stricter vengeance on anyone who might kill him. “Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod (wandering) on the east of Eden.” One can’t but feel the profound sadness here, not only for Cain but in the heart of God. Thanks be to our merciful God, who through Jesus says, “He who comes to Me, I will not cast out.”

We have considered Cain’s relationship with God, his choice and its consequences and finally God’s mercy.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Fallen manMankindmercy

A Light in the Darkness

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

In Genesis 3: 14-24, God pronounced judgement for eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. On that dark day, the light and beauty of creation were destroyed through deception, shame and blame. We also see man’s feeble attempts to cover up and hide. In these verses we learn of God’s mercy in judgement as evident in the curse, God’s promises, and His provisions.

The Curse

God addressed the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed.” Then the woman, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow, and your conception. In pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over to you. And finally to the man, He said, “Cursed is the ground for your sake, in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread and for dust you are and to dust shall you return.”

God’s Promise

God exposed their misdeeds and dealt with them. Still, His mercy shone through in His words to the serpent when He provided a plan for the salvation of mankind. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Romans 5:19 reads, “For as by one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”

God’s Provision

God was merciful when He provided for their immediate need. He took skins and made them suitable coverings. Was this the first blood shed on behalf of humanity’s sin – skins for a covering? Then he sent them from the garden. It too was protection. By doing so He kept man from eating from the tree of life. To have eaten would have left humanity in his shameful state for eternity. God still had a plan to redeem mankind and give him eternal life, but it would come at the cost of His Son’s life. In these verses we learned of God’s mercy in judgement as evident through the curse, God’s provision, and His promise.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Biblical HistoryFallen manHearing God's voiceMankind

Caught

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Everyone experiences getting caught. It goes back to the beginning with Adam and Eve. They show us the human response to disobeying God. Still the story shines a light and gives us hope. In Genesis 3:7-10 we read the immediate results of listening to the tempter and ultimately not to God. The beautiful relationship of God and His creation deteriorated to shame, fear and a shattered peace.

Shame

In the beginning, Adam and Eve were naked. They knew no shame. After disobeying God, the first consequence was seeing their nakedness and attempting to cover it up.

Fear

Fear entered next. At the sound of God coming, they tried to hide among the trees. The presence of God now brought fear.

Shattered Peace

The peace of the garden shattered. Adam and Eve hid among the trees. They felt shame and feared the voice of their provider. God called to them. He knows what has happened but still He wants to hear it from Adam. “Where are you?” Adam confessed, not what he had done, but his condition. “I heard Your voice,” “I was afraid because I was naked,” and “I hid myself.” God digs deeper. “Who told you?” “Did you eat from the tree that I said you should not eat?” It is hard for Adam to confess. Instead he says, “The woman You gave me, gave me the fruit, and I ate.” He blamed God, and the woman God gave him. As for Eve, she blamed the deceiver. The garden is no longer a nice place. Thanks be to God, it is not the end of the story!

The beautiful relationship of God and His creation deteriorated to shame, fear and a shattered peace.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail