4. Old Testament Walkers and Talkers

ii. Cain and Enoch

Cain

Thinking

The next conversation we hear about is one with Cain. The Lord said, "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" (Genesis 4: 6). Cain chose not to heed God's voice. Then followed the killing of Abel, the second conversation, and inevitable judgement (Genesis 4: 9-15). It seems that Cain had brought an unacceptable offering to God. We don't know why. Perhaps they had previously had instructions about what was required, and Cain had taken the easy option - some produce from his vegetable patch. Even then, God gave Cain the opportunity to put things right - but he didn't.

Praying

Lord God, I need to dwell on the truth here, not on misty details from prehistory. The message for all of us today must be that when we sense your command or your voice, but then deliberately choose to ignore it, there are consequences. But I also need to put this in perspective. Cain started off in full fellowship with you. We have to conclude that he knew your voice and presence, but he chose to disobey - first by not hearing, and then in action. I have been the other way round - out of fellowship with you - but your spirit moved me to respond to your love, and now you are progressively restoring my hearing. And I have to tell you, Lord, that it brings great joy.

Enoch

Thinking

In Genesis 5: 21-24, we read, "Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years and had other sons and daughters." We know little about this man from the Old Testament other than that his father was Jared, his eldest son was Methuselah, he walked with God, he had others sons and daughters, and he did not die, for God took him. There are also apocryphal writings attributed to Enoch from which Jude cites a prophecy (Jude 14). Walking with God was so special that Enoch was spared from death. In other ways, it seems that Enoch was part of the culture of the day. He was a family man.

Praying

Lord God, I want to thank you for this example from the dawn of time. It teaches me that you treasure an intimate relationship with people. My understanding today is that you want to have this intimate fellowship with all of us. The lesson is not avoidance of physical death as the story relates for Enoch, but the sure confidence in eternal life and fellowship with you that must be about real life.

Listening

Think about this, my son. Life is about relationships. Real life is about a relationship with me and my family.

Praying

I have heard the illustration many times of how a coal taken away from the fire grows cold. I thank you now for the way fellowship with my brothers and sisters warms me - may I also warm them. But the real warmth comes from you, my Father, as you warm us all together. I sense that this concept of life will grow as my writing develops. Life is love in you.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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