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Did Lamech Escape Judgement by Changing God's Words?

 

 

 

Who is Lamech?

 

Lamech is the 6th generation from Adam's firstborn son Cain.

 

Adam's Genealogy

 

 

 

What Did Lamech Do?

 

1. He is a Murderer

 

Lamech told his wives that a young man wounded him, and so he killed him as a revenge.

 

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. ~ Genesis 4:23

 

2. He is an Adulterer

 

Lamech spoke to his wives Adah and Zillah, indicating that he had at least two wives. God had intended for each man to marry only one woman, and Lamech is the first man recorded in Bible history to have practiced polygamy.

 

3. He did not Repent but Attempted to Escape Judgement

 

Lamech's ancester Cain was cursed because he killed his innocent younger brother Abel. However, Lamech did not learn from this incident but instead committed the same crime Cain did. In addition, he attempted to escape judgement by changing God's words to curse anyone who takes revenge on him.

 

If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times. Genesis 4:24

 

 

Did Lamech's Plan Work?

 

No, obviously not! Because the Great Flood came, and wiped out Lamech and all of Cain's descendants.

 

On the other hand, sons of Cain's brother Seth who had lived righteously completed their days on the earth and rested. The remaining son, Noah, escaped the Flood by following the Lord's command to build an ark which saved himself and families of his three sons

 

 

Timing of God's Righteous Judgement

 

God is gracious to sinners. Even though Cain killed his innocent brother Abel, God did not judge him immediately. Instead, God protected Cain by giving the following command:

 

And the Lord said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. ~ Genesis 4:15

 

Of course, a person cannot be killed 7 times. This means if anyone takes revenge on Cain, his descendants would be avenged for 7 generations. In doing so, God was giving Cain 7 generations' time to repent. Unfortunately, Cain's descendants DID NOT REPENT! Lamech instead used the Lord's grace as a shield to continue his crimes. In the end, he and his descendants were totally wiped out by the Flood.

 

God's judgement was severe but righteous. If Cain's descendants had continued to live, they would have corrupted the whole world, including the descendants of righteous Seth.

 

 

Why is This Incident Significant?

 

The Bible says that the End Times will be like the times of Noah. It is also written that the anti-Christ will attempt to change God's law and the set times like Lamech did.

 

He (anti-Christ) will speak words against the Most High ... and he will intend to change the times and the law. ~ Daniel 7:25

 

Why would he do so? Same as Lamech, he wants to delay judgement by changing the times, and to give remissions for all his sinful acts by changing the law! In recent years, many perverted sexual practices which were once considered Illegal have now been legalised, and even encouraged. Could this be an example on how the laws are being changed to favor the sinners?

 

Will the anti-Christ succeed in the end? I believe we can learn many lessons from the story of Lamech.

 

 

A Question of Interest

 

Finally, a question of interest. If God forgives 7 times and His judgement is righteous, why did Jesus tell us that we should forgive our brothers 70 times 7 times if they repent (Matthew 18:22)? Readers please give it a thought, and we will discuss again in another blog post.