Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

This week we focus our study upon Genesis 4 and 5, chapters that I collectively call, "The Story of the Dying." These are not such pleasant chapters to read, but there is profound significance in the developing the story of why God sent Jesus to be our redeemer.

Genesis 4

Key Words: "angry," "vengeance," "sin"

Key Verse: Verse 7 states that we can have power over sin and we do not need to succumb to it.

Purpose Statement: This chapter shows the first act of murder. Also it demonstrates how God intervened to thwart Satan's attempt to prevent the coming of Jesus. God sent Seth when Abel was killed.

Outline: CAIN AND ABEL

I. Their story (vs. 1-16)
A. Birth (vs. 1-2)
B. Sacrifices (vs. 3-5)
C. Abel slain (vs. 6-8)
D. Cain's punishment (vs. 9-16)
II. Cain's family (vs. 17-24)
III. Birth of Seth (vs. 25-26)

Questions to Probe: Had God previously shared with Cain and Abel that they needed to bring a "blood sacrifice?" Why was there so much anger between Cain and Abel? What kind of mark did God place upon Cain?

Thoughts to Ponder: Cain's sin was twofold. First, it ws open rebellion against the commands of God. He knew the type of offering that God desired but refused to present it to God. Second, his murder of his brother was premeditated. He carefully planned it. Then he compounded the problem by denying his guilt. Cain never pled for forgiveness and God's grace. Even in his guilt he was remorseless.

By the time of Lamech, just a few generations from Adam and Eve (in fact they were still on the scene), we see the corruption of the marital plan of God. God's original intent had been for one man and one woman to become one flesh. Lamech now, with great boasting, becomes one flesh with two women. It doesn't take long for sin to thoroughly corrupt God's plans.

Notes: Cain and Abel had honorable professions (vs. 2). It was not their jobs that created the problems, but the differences in attitude in approaching God. Cain's attitude was one of self-centeredness. He was angry when God rejected his offering (vs. 5). He was inattentive when
God encouraged him to do the right (vs. 7). He was unrepentant when confronted by God following the murder of his brother (vs. 9). He was focused upon his own welfare after God had sentenced him (vs. 13-14).

There is a great truth in verse 7. Sin can only control us when we allow it to have that influence over us. To a certain extent I am the captain of my ship (see Romans 6:11-14).

Genesis 5

Key Words: "he died"

Key Verse: Verse 29 is important. With the exception of Enoch, this chapter records the struggles of man against the curses of Genesis 3.

Purpose Statement: This chapter chronologs the "fruitfulness" of man in filling the earth. But it also states the reality of the curse - "he died."

Outline: GENEALOGY FROM ADAM

I. Creation of Adam (vs. 1-2)
II. Adam's line (vs. 3-32)
A. Adam to Seth (vs. 3-5)
B. Seth to Enosh (vs. 6-8)
C. Enosh to Kenan (vs. 9-11)
D. Kenan to Mahalelel (vs. 12-14)
E. Mahalalel to Jared 9vs. 15-17)
F. Jared to Enoch (vs. 18-20)
G. Enoch to Methuselah (vs. 21-24)
H. Methuselah to Lamech (vs. 25-27)
I. Lamech to Noah (vs. 28-31)
J. Noah (vs. 32)

Questions to Probe: What made Enoch so special? What was so different in his life from that of his fathers?

Thoughts to Ponder: The text states that Enoch walked with God for 300 years. Just imagine three centuries of close fellowship with God. Three centuries of intimate relations with Him. No wonder Enoch did not die. As one old preacher said, "It got toward evening one day, and because he was closer to God's house than his own, God invited him to come with Him." But we can have that same intimate relationship with God today. We can call Him "Abba! Father!" Have you had an "Enoch-walk" with God?

Notes: Verse 1 reaffirms that God created man in His own image and likeness. Mankind was like his Creator. In vers 3, Adam had a son in his own image and likeness and named him Seth. But because Adam himself was created in God's image, that image also is passed down to our children who are created in our image.

This chapter summarizes human existence with three thoughts: man is born; man reproduces himself; man dies.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Spiritual blindness sets in when we cease to lift up our eyes to Him.

Genesis 2-3 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 6-7