Lesson Five: The Domino Effect

Reading: Genesis 4-6

“The Domino Effect” refers to a kids’ game whereby all bricks of a domino game are stood upright side by side so that a wall of parallel bricks is formed. When the first (or last) brick is touched, it will cause the whole series of bricks to come down.

When the first humans (Eve, then Adam) fell (into sin), it triggered a similar chain reaction: everything in creation fell with it. All organisms and aspects of creation are affected by the fall, which can be seen in decay, corruption, suffering, and death.

The biblical account shows in a series of stories some consequences of the fall: jealousy, hatred, and revenge begin to take their toll. Soon, violence and abuse are spreading like a dangerous virus throughout the human world!

1 The Story of the two sons:

The first human family would soon bear the bitter fruits of the fall. Adam and Eve had two boys: Cain and Abel. Both seemed to be good boys: hard working to provide food for the family, and giving thanks to God for His blessings. Cain offered a gift from his farm produce, while Abel sacrificed several choice lambs from the best of his flocks!

Apparently, Cain gave (just some) of his produce to satisfy God’s demand. Yet, Abel gave with a different attitude, for he only gave the best of all he had! Therefore, God blessed Abel. Cain noticed this, but this did not improve his thankfulness to God. Rather, he became bitter about it, and he became jealous of his brother.

When bitterness and jealousy begin to fill our hearts, we are heading into trouble. We should know that, but the first humans had never experienced this before. So, God warned Cain: If you fail to respect God, Evil will try to master you.

Cain, however, did not heed the warning: he went out and murdered his brother. Disrespect for God results in disrespect for God’s Image. When humans ignore God, they become –in a sense- less human, because humans in their full glory reflect the Glory of Almighty God.

Interestingly, the earth is described as a living being. It cried out to God to report the murder of Abel. Later it refused to cooperate with the murderer, so Cain cannot settle down. So, Cain complains. The (young) man who refused to be his brother’s defender will now live without defender. Yet, God promises to protect his life. This shows that human life is still precious to God; we are still his image! It also demonstrates that even people who ignore God and murder innocent people still receive blessings and protection from God. Nevertheless, if they continue to ignore God and continue their refusal to bring him thanks, they increase their guilt towards God every day!

2 Lamech: the escalation of Cain’s attitude

You thought Cain was wicked? Wait till you meet Lamech! He was not satisfied with one wife. He loved to brag to them about his violence. He does not cry to God for protection, like Cain. No, Lamech will take care of himself! “If you touch me, I’ll kill you!” This is Lamech’s song of tyranny. Before the fall, Adam sang a love song of joy and thanksgiving. Now, his offspring sings a song of hatred, revenge, violence, and murderous threats!

Apparently, Lamech is not the only one who talks and acts like this. The Lamech mentality spreads like wildfire! A whole generation of wicked selfishness begins to flood the earth, and it threatens to destroy human civilization.

3 The Era of the Wicked Warriors

The next section (chapter 6: 1-7) is a bit puzzling. Who are the “sons of God”: Are they ‘good guys’ like the seed of woman? Are they angels, who had sex with humans? Apparently, they are not good at all, and in the end the humans (and other creatures) are punished, not the angels. So, these ‘solutions’ do not seem to work.

Whenever people become proud and conceited, they consider themselves “lords of the earth”. Powerful rulers of world empires often insisted they be worshiped as gods. In the early days, there were such “god-sons” who violently took whatever beautiful women they desired and claimed these for themselves.

Violence and sexual abuse (especially in homosexual relationships) are sins that God does not tolerate. Even those without the Law or Spirit ought to know that such deeds are evil. Notice that people still lived very long: they could hear about God’s acts from their great-great-great—grandfathers!

When this kind of evil became rampant on the earth, God decided to wipe the slate clean and to make a new beginning. Remember, this is a theme, especially in Genesis. Corruption and violence dominated God’s creation, so finally God decides that “Enough is enough!”

Yet, God does not completely destroy his creation. He saves a “righteous remnant”. This becomes later an important theme for Isaiah: God will destroy his kingdom and exile his people; yet, a remnant will remain faithful and return to start over again. So it happens here: In the face of much ridicule and godless living, Noah trusts in God and builds the boat to hold the remnant which God will save from disaster.

Lights in the Darkness:

In the Bible we find many periods of (spiritual) darkness when people turn away from God and experience the consequences in the curse. Yet, usually it is in such times of greatest darkness, that God shines his light of new hope. So, we read at the end of the Lamech story about Enosh (“Weakness”): In his days the godly people begin to worship God!Then there was Enoch. He walked with God, and after a long life God took him home. Even in the days before the flood, when the wicked warriors roamed the earth, there was Noah: an upright man, who walked with God. And God shares His plans with Noah. Destruction and death will cover the earth! Yet, God will preserve a remnant to populate his new creation!

Michelangelo Buonarroti 1475 – 1564

The Flood fresco — 1508-1512 Sistine Chapel, Vatican City