18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

A Descendant Named Lamech

In the next chapter of Genesis, we will trace the descendants of Adam through Seth. The seventh from Adam is named Enoch, and he is pictured as abundantly righteous. In this passage, we are tracing the line of Cain. The seventh from Cain is abundantly unrighteous. His name is Lamech (18).

Polygamy

The text tells us Lamech took two wives, Adah and Zillah (19). At this point, modern readers might roll their eyes and think, this is exactly what I thought I'd find in the Bible. A misogynistic, out-of-date book that promotes lifestyles I find abhorrent. But let me say a couple of words about that:

First, polygamy, mentioned here in the Bible for the first time, is far less common in the Old Testament than people often suppose.

Second, when it is mentioned, it is painted in a negative light. Problems are attached to its practice. Lamech, here, is a sinner. Abraham's life, along with human history, was complicated as a result of his polygamy (or derivation of it). The sons of Jacob warred and mistreated each other, partly because of polygamy. Life is often presented as harder for the polygamist all through the Old Testament.

Third, the Bible does not refrain from recording the faults of its characters, even heroes of faith. The Bible tells the truth about its characters, and it records that some good men gave in to the cultural norms of polygamy even though it contradicted the law of God and the law of nature.

Fourth, polygamy is an example of what the progressive revelation of God’s word does to humans. The brighter the revelation from God, the better the person God’s word shapes. By New Testament times, though the Roman world practiced all kinds of romantic and sexual connections, God's people are expected to practice committed, loving and devoted monogamy.

And this monogamous ideal is meant to bring us back to the garden of Eden:

Ephesians 5:31 (ESV) — 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

That's garden talk!

Now, let me talk to those of you who have been hurt and disillusioned by broken marriages and relationships. Perhaps you have lost all hope. Christina and I can relate. We have four sets of parents now, our biological parents having divorced for various reasons and then remarrying. It does not make life simpler but more complex. But we have not allowed this to lead us to disillusionment regarding the institution of marriage. We believe in it; God has created it. But we also know sin can disrupt God's good ways, so we have sought to fight hard for our marriage and our sanctification. By God's grace, we rejoice in married life, for it is so wonderfully good for those who are called to it. But, as we'll see as Genesis advances, when sin infects a marriage it often becomes one of the greatest pains a human can endure.

20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Development of Industry

Lamech's descendants began to develop various industries. Jabal initiated the spread of nomadic people who worked with livestock, growing and domesticating animals for human flourishing, dwelling in tents (20). Jubal started the creation of musical instruments and became the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe (21). Tubal-cain developed metallurgy, becoming a forger of all instruments of bronze and iron, perhaps even weaponry (22).

Man Without God

We're meant to see a developing world and society in this early stage of human history. If we thought the fall of humanity in Genesis 3 would turn humans made into God's image into mere animals, we would be wrong. Instead, humanity is seen developing and growing and, to a degree, filling the earth and subduing it.

It's as if God is there, waiting, wanting marred humanity to turn to him. But, even without him, because of their design, they flourished.

23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”

A Legal System

It is difficult to know exactly what occurred here. Apparently, Lamech killed a man for wounding him (23). And, though some see this as another example of an outlaw spread of evil, it seems Lamech's words are actually the first instance of legal justice. Mosaic law, written many years later, would provide a safe refuge for those who killed in self-defense (Numbers 35:11-12). Lamech's plea with his wives might be an early attempt at this form of legal protection.

It is said, however, that Lamech was able to draw on Cain's life as a way to excuse his own actions (24). If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold, he said (24).

We should long to live lives that give no excuse for others to enter into sin or brokenness. Don't let your life be an excuse for other people's sin.

The End of the Line

This is the end of the record of Cain's line. He is traced no further. And we will grow accustomed to this treatment of various characters in Genesis. Once it is determined that their line will not produce the Messiah, their descendants are traced for a few generations, but they are then left so we can pursue another more hopeful line.

In short, Cain's line would not produce Jesus, so we leave Cain's story.