Grace

Despite the judgement on Cain, once again, God is not done with mankind.  Cain and his wife have children and they in turn have children.

Read Genesis 4:17-26

Common Grace

First, we see through Cain’s line how God blesses humanity as promised, enabling and equipping them to carry out the work of filling and subduing.  We see this grace in the provision of offspring.  We also see it as God endues people with gifts.  There are city builders, farmers, craftsmen and musicians (v17-22). I think implicit in the way the list is structured is the suggestion that the people here and their own stories were at one time better known but those stories are lost to us now.

God’s grace and providence happen against the backdrop of increasing and deepening sin. There’s polygamy as Lamech takes two wives, departing from God’s creation pattern (v19).  Lamech follows Cain in murder and this time sets out his own judgement rather than pleading for God’s mercy (v23-24).

Special Grace

Common Grace is not sufficient.  God steps in again.  There is another son for Adam and Eve, standing in the place of Abel.  A reminder that God’s purpose is covenant relationship with his people.  This is emphasised by the remark that Seth’s family line start to call upon the Lord, naming him as the covenant making and keeping God. It’s through Seth’s line that the serpent crusher will come.   (v25 -26).

Give Thanks

We can be thankful to God both for common grace which enables us all to enjoy our lives in relative peace, to enjoy God’s provision.  This also means that work, culture, art are to be enjoyed too.  More than that though, we should be thankful for God’s special grace that through Seth’s line would bring a saviour to deal with the problem of sin.