17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his sonEnoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.23 Lamech said to his wives,“Adah and Zillah, listen to me;     wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me,     a young man for injuring me. 24 If Cain is avenged seven times,     then Lamech seventy-seven times.”25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.REFLECTIONSWritten by James DavidsonHumanity was descending to a dark place. Lamech is a prime example. He abandons God’s good pattern for marriage, one man, one woman, established in Genesis 2:24, by taking two wives. He then boasts to them about how he has taken over-the-top revenge. He has killed a young man for only wounding him (v24).  Each of us know the desire for revenge. When we have been hurt we desire to hurt back. We are seeking some sort of justice for ourselves. But as the injured party we are the wrong person to bring justice. In our anger and hurt, we may well exact over-the-top revenge like Lamech. That is why God has appointed civil authorities to bring justice (Romans 13:4). But, being human and fallible, they don’t always deliver justice. And there are many personals hurts and injustices where it’s simply not appropriate to involve the legal system.Ultimately God alone will bring justice on the final Day. That is why God says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19). Knowing justice will be done enables us to forgive. To forgive is to forgo our personal pursuit of justice for our sake. What helps us do that is the way God forgives us through Jesus.  He has forgiven us far more than we will ever need to forgive anyone else. ‘Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’ (Colossians 3:13)QUESTIONCan you remember a time when you forgave someone? What helped you to forgive?ABOUT THE AUTHORJames is an Assistant Minister with our Bossley Park Congregation