In Genesis – Enoch, Noah and Abel

Genesis 4:4 “The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering but not with Cain and his offering.”

 

When I first read this as a new Christian I was stumped.  Until I remembered and realized that the words we have – the text we read – is just a sentence or two about their lives, upbringing and history.  It is so imcomplete in a way to us.  These were real people with real lives who learned about God and life.  Their whole knowledge of God is not based on this small passage and this one encounter with God.  It is based on a lifetime of learning nd relationship with their parents, Adam and Eve.  Their parents would have talked to them about God, sin… the garden… faith in God.  Their parents would have taught them about who God is and how to approach him.  Abel listened and learned and respected and had faith in the ways of God.  But cain wanted to prove on his own merits and terms.  Perhaps even big picture – what they chose to do professionally – reflects their heart attitude towards God.  Abel choosing to raise sheep and Cain farming the cursed land – overcoming it and breaking it by his will and works.  Whatever that may be when the time came to make an offering both boys knew what was right in the eyes of God.  They KNEW because they had grown up with learning it.  Cain was not on a whim when making his choice.  He chose to turn against all he had learned and knew about God – a lifetime of learning and experience.

 

 

 

Genesis 5:22 “Enoch truly loved God.”

 

I have seen this written mostly as “Enoch walked with God” which for me is fab as I sometimes walk about our Christian relationship and experience as a walk with God – though sometimes the term doesn’t sit well with me.  It becomes another Christian cliché.  But when you equate walking with God and a personal walk with God as loving God it makes sense and has weight again.  To walk with God is to love him.  To love him is to know him and obey him.  To know and obey God is to walk in relationship with him.  It would be great to have on my tombstone (though Enoch did not require one!) that I truly loved God.  What a challenge to walk out.

 

 

 

Genesis 7:16 “God closed the door.”

 

To me this is such a poignant and touching phrase.  God closed the door of the Ark, sealing in the family and animals into safety.  He ensured their protection by closing the door of the Ark.  He played a personal and physical role in their refuge.  Closing the door just seems so personal, so God….