Today can be a day of blessing or a day of cursing. It is in your hands, well, in your mouth. The story of Lamech is one of justified retaliation, which Jesus would later turn into a call for limitless forgiveness.
“Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech. Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” (Genesis 4: 17-24)
Lamech, the father of Noah, has a name meaning ‘strong man’ or ’wild man’. Not only was Lamech the Bible’s first recorded polygamist (Adah and Zillah), but he seemed to be even worse than his ancestor Cain. It was not because he took more than one wife. However, it was because he presumed on God’s grace after taking revenge.
We don’t know what happened, but it would appear that the punishment did not fit the crime. He truly believed that those who tried to take revenge on him for his revenge would receive the vengeance of God 77 times over—a huge presumption on the mercy of God.
Interestingly, when Jesus teaches Peter to forgive, He says that he should forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22).
People with a deep desire for justice, those who carry a sense of right and wrong, are prone to revenge and retaliation.
Has there ever been a time in our lives when we wanted to take revenge? Of course! How we retaliate depends on our standing with God. However, all retaliation is wrong, whether that be in words or actions.
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3: 9
Lamech’s son, Tubal-Cain, invented the first primitive sword, and weapons of war are first seen. Lamech came home not only boasting to his wives of how he took revenge on some person who wounded him, but worse than that. Lamech believed that with his son’s swords in his hands, though Cain would be avenged 7-fold, for him it would be 77-fold. The sword would now bring about greater retaliation from any attack by the enemy.
Lamech was now self-confident and self-sufficient because of the weapon he had in his hand. The sword meant he did not have to trust God, even if it was still a thought of doing so.
So, how strong are you, and is it in you to be ruthless with people?
What is in your hands can be a blessing or a curse.
We have all seen how position and power can inflict a retaliation that is way beyond what is equal to any mistake or pain inflicted on you. We have seen that in the regime leaders around the world, government leaders, and, sadly, we have seen it with Church leaders.
The abuse of power. Justified in the eyes of those who hold the sword in their hands, but not in the sight of God.
Let’s be different today. Where there is hurt, let us bless. Where offence comes, let us take every barrier down. Where there is war, let us bring peace. Who do you struggle with today? Bless them. Show kindness. Demonstrate the cross. Die for them. Please do not pick up the sword, no matter what they have done.
Missions Paul 