May 26, 2026:

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“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. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.’” (Genesis 4.23-24)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Does something in what Lamech said to his wives sound familiar to you who are Christ followers? We hear “seventy-seven times,” or in some translations- seventy times seven, in a discussion between Peter and Jesus as recorded in Matthew, chapter 18: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” (verses 21-22) Of course, it we were to read it quite literally, Peter could have fulfilled the letter of the Law by simply saying “I forgive you” seventy-seven times. Doing so would probably have reflected the same dismissive spirit that caused him to ask the question in the first place. How many times have we felt the burden of giving forgiveness instead of the opportunity. The ministry of Jesus is about fulfilling the covenant of life through righteousness, reconciliation, renewal and restoration. It makes sense that Jesus would reflect on “seventy-seven” times when it came to forgiveness. Significant because when Lamech used the number forgiveness was the furthest thing from his mind. Lamech was issuing a curse and not a blessing.

It seems strange to me that Lamech, from the line of those who did “call upon the name of the Lord,” used a divine covenant promise exponentially against his enemies. I believe we can learn from what Lamech did to intimidate his enemies that our own poor thinking on the matter of using “God’s name and promise” in vain is fruitless. We see such thinking, in principle, in such things as “cold war mentality.” The balance of power is not a real balance of power. It becomes a battle of bigger threats. When we cannot outnumber them, then we pursue greater destructive power. We moved from stones and bones to nuclear and viral weapons. We peddle misinformation and dysinformation to discredit others with the hope of making ourselves look better. Stop and think what Lamech did. He took what God promised to Cain, to avenge his death at the hands of another seven times over. Of course, that threat and promise would only work if others had a sense of healthy respect (and fear) of God. If they didn’t, they would most likely be inclined to call your bluff. Otherwise, Lamech, like so many others, would have to create alliances, stockpile weapons and issue bigger threats entering into a vicious circle of cursing and not blessing.

Jesus took the other tact. He did not try to outdo God. He did what God would have him do.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.