It’s been awhile since my last post on Genesis, so let’s get back in the groove with a brief review. 

Remember, as the population on Earth increased, so did violence.  After the banishment of Cain from Eden, and the birth of Seth to replace Abel, we were given a genealogy of both lines -Cain’s and Seth’s - and learned that Cain’s line was becoming quite independently successful and in no need of any God, thank you very much.  Conversely, and perhaps in response to the increasing evil around them, Seth’s line does call on the name of God. 

Since we’re on the subject of the first dysfunctional family, let’s throw in a pinch of sibling rivalry.  You probably know families like this – maybe your own.  Did you ever wonder how two kids can be raised by the same parents yet develop opposing values?

I’ve never been a supporter of capital punishment, so I was glad to see God simply banish Cain.  But I had to wonder, what about ‘an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’?   That concept is introduced a little later.  First, God has something really, really BIG planned. 

Before we talk about Noah… a lot of time passes since Cain killed Abel (until the flood, people enjoyed a nearly 1000 year life-span) and the human population grows rapidly.  Cain has kids and his great-great-great-grandson is named Lamech. 

Much has changed over the past few years for my family.  From the outside looking in, it would appear that we've been under a curse. 

However, I have known the "peace that transcends understanding."  Does that sound glib, or cliché?  It did to me when I had the world at my feet.  And I confess I still have days when 'peace' seems far beyond my reach.