In this brief study of Genesis 4 and 5, Titus Chu draws a number of lessons for our Christian life from the history of the men and events these two chapters describe. This section of the Bible gives us the history of Adam and Eve’s descendents from the birth of Cain until the time of Noah. It may not be so familiar to us as Genesis 1-3, but it is nonetheless quite crucial, for it shows us the origins and early development of the human race as it exists today. In so doing, it also gives us many valuable lessons regarding how we should relate to the world in which we live.
From Chapter One:
The Bible shows us from the very beginning that we can choose from only two possible manners of life. These are portrayed by two trees in the Garden of Eden and then by two lines of descendants from Adam and Eve. In the midst of the Garden of Eden there were two trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9). Adam and Eve fell by partaking of the second tree, the tree of knowledge. After they fell, Eve gave birth to two sons, Cain and Abel. These two sons and those who came after them portray two different manners of life corresponding to the two trees: the line of life and the line of knowledge. The principle is the same. The two trees and the two lines represent two distinct manners of life.
We may think that there are many different ways we can live on this earth. For example, we can become doctors, nurses, engineers, plumbers, teachers, or any number of things. We may think we have many options, but in the sight of God we can only belong to one of two lines. Either we are in the line of life, or we are in the line of the knowledge of good and evil. We can choose from only these two possible manners of life.
Chapter Titles
The Origin of the Two Manners of Life
Cain and Abel: Acquisition and Vanity
Cain and His Descendants
A New Beginning
Mortality Leading to Possession
Praising and Descending
Learning and Walking with God
Seven Stages of Spiritual Learning
Works Cited
