In just 10 generations from creation the debauchery and degeneration of Adam’s race rose clear to heaven. Genesis 6:5 records, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

There’s no dressing it up: “every intent… only evil… continually.”

Man’s wickedness became such a stench to God that He says twice, “I am sorry that I have made them.” God is expressing, in terms we can understand, His divine attitude of grief over sin.

Fast-forward a few thousand years. When I gaze across the landscape of our day I can’t help but wonder how grieved His heart must be. Auschwitz, Rwanda, and Syria notwithstanding, just a cursory glance at our own news headlines sets my ears ringing: “every intent… only evil… continually.”

I think it is fitting, right, and honoring to Holy God when we enter into His grief:

How long will the enemy mock You, O God?

Will the foe revile Your name forever?

How long, O Lord, will You refrain from judging

those who dwell on the earth?

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!*

Blessings,

* See Psalm 74:10; Revelation 6:10; 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20

As you may know, I’ve been journeying recently through the book of beginnings (Genesis). With Thanksgiving upon us, I found myself wondering how often Genesis records occasions of thanksgiving.

I found 22 separate instances of worship, offering, or thanksgiving! Beyond this there are even moreallusions to worship and thanksgiving. Reading through them was instructive and I was challenged to follow this example more purposefully. I’ve included the references below* with the hopes that this Thanksgiving you’ll make time to slip away with the Lord and let Him speak to you through these stories.

In the course of this study I came across one of my favorite expressions of thanks. It comes from the life of Jacob when he was in a crisis. Actually, it was a life-or-death situation for him. He turned to the Lord for help and began his appeal, of all things, with thanksgiving!

O God…

O Lord…

I am unworthy of all the loving kindness

and of all the faithfulness

which You have shown to Your servant…

Deliver me, I pray…!

(Gen 32:10, 11)

Life for you right now may be all cranberries and pumpkin pie, or it may be nothing but gristle and bone.  Jacob’s example reminds us that, either way, giving thanks is the right place to begin.

Thanking God for YOU,

The reign of death in Genesis 5 is punctuated with the story of Enoch. Each life before and after Enoch is summarized with, “and he died.” In sharp contrast, “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

In case we missed it, the book of Hebrews spells it out: Enoch did not die. “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up” (Heb 11:5).

Only two individuals in the entire Bible are said to have walked with God.  Many walked before Him (Abraham, Samuel, David, Hezekiah). Others were exceptionally close to God (“the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend” Ex 33:11). And the Lord walked among His people Israel. But only of Enoch and Noah are we told that they walked with God.

What does it mean to walk with someone? At a minimum I think it suggests heading in the same direction, keeping the same pace, talking together, and enjoying one another’s company along the way. It’s a relationship!

For some unsearchable reason, God has wanted to walk with us since the beginning. He used to walk with Adam and Eve in the garden in the cool of the day (Gen 3:9).  He delighted in walking with Enoch and Noah. And He extends the invitation to us as well:“He has told you, O man, what is good… to walk humbly with the Lord your God” (Micah 6:8).

Walking with God is much more than living by a code of rules and regulations.  It’s not a duty, chore, or obligation; it’s a relationship. “Enoch walked with God because he was his friend and liked his company, because he was going in the same direction as God, and had no desire for anything but what lay in God’s path” (MacrusDods, The Book of Genesis).

Have you ever noticed how really close friends can become so engrossed with each other as they walk and talk that they become somewhat oblivious to the world around them? That’s the kind of relationship He wants with you.  What’s hindering you from responding?

Blessings,

Cain and his sons and grandsons kept themselves busy with notable advances to civilization: city-building, animal husbandry, music, and metallurgy.

But Cain’s brother Seth took a different tack. Genesis 4:25-26 paints asharp contrast between the two families.

* When Cain had a son he built a city and named it after him. At Seth’s birth, however, his parents readily saw the gracious hand of God. His mother Eve named him “Appointed,” for she was ever on the lookout for the promised “seed” God said she’d bear who would crush the Deceiver’s head.

*Lamech murdered, then composed his “sword song” to boast of his invincibility. But Seth fathered a son and named him Enosh which means “man” and may point to his mortality and weakness in contrast to God’s immortality and omnipotence.

* Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-Cain have already told us how they spent their time.  But over in Enosh’s camp, “men began to call on the name of the Lord” (Gen 4:26).

Not that city-building is wrong. Or that the simple life is more righteous.

But it seems the author is letting us in on the fact that one family was focused on tearing down their barns in order to build bigger barns. While the other family had chosen the good part which would never be taken away.

All of this is made much more sobering when you realize that the flood is coming—that night by which their souls would be required of them, along with the accompanying question, “Now who will own what you have prepared?’ (Luke 12:20)

O Lord, grant strength, courage, and resolve to spend our lives on that which will endure beyond the night when our souls are required of us.

Blessings,

Questions? Comments? paul@discoverwoodlandhills.com

Did you hear about the family that got lost in a corn maze?  No kidding.  They became corn-fused. After they couldn’t find their way out of a maze of maize, Dad used his cell phone to dial 911.  “Help!  We’re stuck in a maze!”  Within 9 minutes of entering the maze, rescuers found dad, mom, and their two children.  No injuries to body, just to pride!

Enjoy some of the comments:

They felt like they were being stalked.
They shoulda just yelled for help — there were ears all around them.
They did, but their cries fell on deaf ears. Aw shucks!
Now they’re the laughing stalk of the land!
There’s a kernel of truth in that!
Without a rescue… what a corny way to die!
They’re suing the farmer for attempted corn-slaughter!
The dad’s new name is Pop Corn.
These poor people. Pray they never get trapped on a stuck escalator.
Maybe next year they should try an easier maze:

Have a nice Day!

Adah and Zillah,
Listen to my voice,
You wives of Lamech,
Give heed to my speech,
For I have killed a man for wounding me;
And a boy for striking me;
If Cain is avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.
~ Genesis 4:23, 24

I picture Lamech swaggering a bit, sword in hand, as he ascends a small mound to recite his verse. And why not? He’s got twowives! His son Jabal has made them exceedingly wealthy in livestock. Son Jubal has made them merry with his musical inventions. Son Tubal Cain has learned to forge implements of bronze and iron. (Think of the possibilities!) Indeed, daughter Naamah (“pleasant”) sums it all up: this family knew how to make life pleasant for itself!

So up the mound comes Lamech, brandishing the sword Tubal Cain has just made and musing to himself: Just think!  With this weapon I’ll be invincible! That young man who struck me didn’t stand a chance. And who will even dare to avenge his death!?  They’ll pay seventy-sevenfold if they come after me!

Lamech’s “sword song” gushes with pride and self-sufficiency. In the case of Cain it was God who had promised to protect Cain from revenge. But Lamech’s boast is that he himself will repel the avenger by the strength of his own arm and re-enforced by his son’s weapon! What staggering presumption and arrogance!

Do you suppose Christ was alluding to Lamech’s taunt in Matthew 18:21 when He called His followers to extraordinary forgiveness (seventy times seven) rather than revenge? Not only are we to be free from retaliation, we must embody a spirit of forgiveness.

Was it haughtiness such as Lamech’s that prompted the Lord to say, “Blessed are the poor in spirit… the meek… the merciful… the peacemakers…”?

Lord Jesus, I purpose to follow Your example of humility and forgiveness, and distance myself from Lamech’s swagger and revenge. But You know how easily I revert to the me-centered life. Oh, please! Let Your grace increase so my sin will not!

Blessings,

It was the woman You gave me who gave me the fruit…(Genesis 3:8)

…and the man & his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.*

 I remember hiding from my dad once.  I was a young child and had been invited over to a friend’s house for the afternoon.  While I was there my friend and I did some things we clearly knew were forbidden.  What’s more, my friend’s parents discovered our disobedience!

Later that afternoon, Dad came to pick me up. I saw him coming. Having done wrong, and being keenly aware of it, I went and hid under the house.

Meanwhile, my friend’s parents filled Dad in on what I had done. Then he came looking for me and calling for me.  I didn’t answer him.  I remember watching in silence as he walked around the house several times calling for me-—all I could see were his legs.  I didn’t budge or make a peep.

But then I remember seeing his face as he bent down to look for me under the house.  Our eyes met, and he called me again.  This time I came out. 

 I remember the feelings–some degree of shame, considerable regret, and a goodly amount of dread over the fast-approaching consequences of my disobedience. 

It’s been years since then, but as I reflect back on that occasions here’s what stands out: even though Dad knew I’d been disobedient, he came looking for me. And although I was hiding from him, he still called to me.

Isn’t that a picture of our Heavenly Father?  He did not abandon us when we sinned.  And although we hid from Him, He pursued us and called us back to Himself.

 Pause for a moment and personalize this truth:  As severe as the consequences of your sin were, they were no match for His love.  He came looking for you. 

And though you tried to hide, He did not stop calling for you.

Simply amazing!

Blessings,

*Genesis 3:8