Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

After telling the story of Cain and Abel, the author of Genesis shifts to a few chapters of family histories. While these genealogies include only a handful of details about those mentioned, the way in which they are written and structured displays important truths and principles for life with God.

The line of Cain took after their patriarch. Cain’s sinful choices affected his descendants for many generations. They showed disregard for God as they took multiple wives, sought success and fame, and even murdered others. Cain’s genealogy also shows the first cities and cultures, including the first musicians and craftsmen. 

Seth’s line shows a direct contrast to Cain’s. As we will see in later readings, many of Seth’s descendants feared and worshiped God. We also see the first reference that people called on God’s name and worshiped Him. 

No matter the culture around us, no matter our circumstances, our successes, our status, or our talents, the worship of God is what brings life. While Cain’s descendants did many great things, they were far from God. They sought their own gain instead of making God’s name great. Without preserving the worship and knowledge of God in our lives, our families, our cultures, and our nations, we too will fall into sin and destruction as Cain’s descendants did. Instead, may we be people who call on the name of the Lord, who worship His name and make Him known wherever we are.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Prayer:

Lord God, You alone deserve to be worshiped. You alone are worthy of praise. Your surpassing greatness is more than anything on earth. Help me praise You no matter my circumstances. Help me turn from sin and worship You. Amen.