Hope after Sin’s Consequences

Genesis 4:16-26

    16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.
    19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. 20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. 22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.
    23 Then Lamech said to his wives:“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me.  24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

    25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.

Cain left God’s presence.  He went out to the east of Eden to live with his guilt, shame, and possible remorse for murdering his brother and living with the consequences outside of his sight of God’s constant presence.  He had a son Enoch, built a city, and had grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The earth began being filled as Adam was told to do (Genesis 1:28), yet not the way it should have been done from the garden while walking with God.  The stain of sin recurred in his great grandson Lamech, who also murdered a man in vengeance for being hurt by him.  Then Adam had another son, Seth (“compensation”), who made up for the loss of Abel and provided another heir who might not be a murderer as his other son Cain.  This is when men started to call on God’s name - they looked to Him as Cain did not in his sin.  Sinners began to see their need of God and the need to honor and worship Him, relying on His mercy and grace to turn their eyes on their need for God and on God their Creator Himself.  They turned to seek God’s presence.  Cain left the presence, now some men turned back. The pattern of hope appeared after sin’s consequences. Paradise was lost, but hope remained.