SEVENTY AND SEVENFOLD – Genesis 4:24
Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
What is the difference between faith and presumption? In this passage, we see Lamech boast to his wives that God had protected Cain as a result of his killing Abel; so likewise, God was going to protect him.
Christ revealed to us the examples of two individuals who had great faith. Christ told us that the Centurion who had proclaimed that Jesus could heal from a distance, and the foreign woman who insisted that Jesus heal her daughter because even the dogs were entitled to scraps both had great faith.
In the book of Hebrews, we are given many more individuals whom God recognizes for their faith. These individuals believed God and did many wonderful things. Nowhere in Hebrews chapter 11do we see that God mentions the great faith of Lamech. Some might argue that Lamech is only mentioned in these six verses. However, God took the time to recognize Enoch’s great faith and Enoch was basically only listed in a genealogy with one verse telling us that he walked with God.
If Lamech was exercising some great faith, God would have made sure that we knew that Lamech was a man of faith. Instead, God has this passage in the Bible to illustrate to us a caution against presumption. While we do not know what ever happened to Lamech, we do know that God could have taken the life of Lamech at any given time. Lamech may have boasted all he wanted, but his words were in vain when it comes to the power of God. God could end the life of Lamech at any time, and even if God did not immediately judge Lamech for committing murder, we do know that eventually, God did judge Lamech.
Christ commanded us that we are not to fear man who can only take our life but that we are to fear God who not only can take our life but also our soul. Lamech can boast all he wants about his ability to commit murder and not be punished, but ultimately, we should not fear people like Lamech, we must fear God.
The difference between Lamech who presumed the protection of God and Abraham who is in God’s Hall of Faith is a relationship with God. Lamech did not understand who God was and he simply presumed he would be protected by God. Abraham had a relationship with god and Abraham strived to live his life in a way that was pleasing to God. Abraham feared God and what God could do – Lamech did not fear God and did not care about how God desired him to live his life.
If you want to be known for your faith rather than your presumption, you need to take the time to start getting to know your Creator. As long as you act like God owes you something, you will be guilty of presumption. Instead, when you start taking the time to understand who God is and start asking HIM to show HIMSELF strong in your life, then you can start experiencing the joys of great faith.
When you do not fear the Lord, you will pursue that which is right in your own eyes. However, great faith will require temperance in your life. You will have to demonstrate self-control not to indulge in the things of this world so that you can have the vision necessary to walk in faith. Until you put aside the things of this world, you will never be free to fully serve God.