The ten generations of Adam

Reading from the Septuagint.
Genesis 5: 6-27 LXX

These are the ten generations of Adam's descendants, with years starting from the first year of Adam:

G1  Y001 to Y930  Adam (230 + 700 = 930)
G2  Y230 to Y1142 Seth (205 + 707 = 912)
G3  Y435 to Y1340 Enos (190 + 715 = 905)
G4  Y625 to Y1535 Cainan (170 + 740 = 910)
G5  Y795 to Y1690 Maleleel (165 + 730 = 895)
     (Adam died in the year Maleleel was 135 yr old)
G6  Y960 to Y1922 Jared (162 + 800 = 962)
G7  Y1022 to Y1387 Enoch (165 + 200 = 365)
     (Well pleasing to God, was not found, translated)
G8  Y1187 to Y2156 Mathusala (167 + 802 = 969)
     (longest life of all)
G9  Y1354 to Y2107 Lamech (188 + 565 = 753)
G10 Y1542 to Y2492 Noe (500 sons + 100 flood + after flood 350 = 950)

Notes :

(1) Adam lived until his great great grandson Maleleel was 135 years old.

(2) This means that the account of Genesis was most probably carried and preserved by word-of-mouth "story-telling", (like the Red Indians of North America), for five generations in the presence of the first man, Adam the son of God. (Luke 3:38)

(3) Similarly, Seth ben Adam lived until his great great great grandson Enoch was eighty years old. And it would have been easy for the story telling of the Genesis account to continue to be passed on for these next six generations.

(4) Besides seeing the death of Adam, Maleleel, the fifth generation from Adam, also saw the birth of Noe, the tenth generation, in the year 1542 when Maleleel was 747 years old.

Cain was groaning and trembling upon the earth

Reading from the Septuagint.
Genesis 4: 12-14

LXX Cain became a "groaning and trembling" man after murdering his brother Abel (instead of "a  fugitive and vagabond")

"When thou tillest the earth, then it shall not continue to give its strength to thee: thou shalt be groaning and trembling on the earth. And Cain said to the Lord God, My crime is too great for me to be forgiven. If thou castest me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from thy presence, and I shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth, then it will be that any one that finds me shall slay me."

Verses 12 and 14 of Genesis 4 is typically translated as "vagrant and wanderer" (NASB), "fugitive and vagabond" (NKJV),  or "fugitive and a wanderer" (RSV) on the earth.

Looking these verses in the LXX gives us a new understanding of the condition that Cain turned into after he murdered his brother Abel. He was groaning in guilt and trembling in fear. He wasn't his usual self anymore. One can say he was no longer an ordinary person. 

Perhaps his very appearance had changed. He was a trembling man. And that could explain why any one who saw him would want to slay him.

Why was Cain's sacrifice rejected by the LORD?

Genesis 4: 1 - 7 LXX
"And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain and said, I have gained a man through God. And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And it was so after some time that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord. And Abel also brought of the first born of his sheep and of his fatlings, and God looked upon Abel and his gifts, but Cain and his sacrifices he regarded not, and Cain was exceedingly sorrowful and his countenance fell. And the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen? Hast thou not sinned if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? be still, to thee shall be his submission, and thou shalt rule over him."

Contrast

4:3 "Cain brought of the fruits of the earth . . ." with

4:4 " Abel also brought of the first born of his sheep and of his fatlings"

Cain brought some of the fruits of the earth that he cultivated. He did not bring the FIRST FRUITS that the ground yielded to him.

In contrast, Abel brought of the FIRST BORN of his sheep AND FIRST BORN of his fatlings.

Cain has not brought his sacrifice rightly.

Hence the question from the LORD:

4:7 "Hast thou not sinned if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? . . ."

Although the Torah was given through Moses much later in the book of Exodus through Deuteronomy, one must note that Mankind lived in the Presence of God Almighty in the early days of Creation. It is not unexpected that Cain and Abel were aware of the Godly practice of consecration the first-fruits of their harvests or the first-born of their livestock in sacrifice to the LORD.

In fact, it was necessary for such Godly practices to be written down as commandments in the Torah of Moses many centuries later because the descendants of Abraham no longer had the privilege of "walking and talking" directly to God as in the days of Cain and Abel. They only had a pillar of cloud to lead their camp by day, and a pillar of fire by night. And only Moses, and subsequently the sanctified priests were allowed to enter into the presence of God on the mountain where the Torah was given, and in the most Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.

Consecration of First-fruits

One may understand the words, "but not rightly divided it . . ." to mean that Cain had failed to divide his harvest of crops into FIRST FRUITS and other fruits. In other words, he had failed to set aside the first yield from his harvest to be consecrated to the LORD.

We read in Numbers 18: 12-13, that the LORD has given to the priests the firstfruits of everything from the land that the people of Israel consecrated to the LORD

"I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits. 13The firstfruits of everything in their land that they bring to the LORD will belong to you. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat them."

The LXX renders this passage as follows:
"Every first-offering of oil, and every first-offering of wine, their first-fruits of corn, whatsoever they may give to the Lord, to thee have I given them. All the first-fruits that are in their land, whatsoever they shall offer to the Lord, shall be thine: every clean person in thy house shall eat them."

Redemption of first-born son

Later, in Exodus 13:2, the LORD commanded that every first born child and first born animal belongs to the LORD

"Sanctify to me every first-born, first produced, opening every womb among the children of Israel both of man and beast: it is mine" LXX

In Numbers 18: 14-17 it is further stated that,

"Every devoted thing among the children of Israel shall be thine. And every thing that opens the womb of all flesh, whatsoever they bring to the Lord, whether man or beast, shall be thine: only the first-born of men shall be surely redeemed, and thou shalt redeem the first-born of unclean cattle. And the redemption of them shall be from a month old; their valuation of five shekels—it is twenty oboli according to the holy shekel. But thou shalt not redeem the first-born of calves and the first-born of sheep and the first-born of goats; they are holy: and thou shalt pour their blood upon the altar, and thou shalt offer the fat as a burnt-offering for a smell of sweet savour to the Lord."

(cf Exodus 13: 12-14, 34: 19-20)

While first born of clean animals such as calves, sheep and goats are sacrificed on the altar at the Tabernacle as a burnt offering, the first born son in each family is to be redeemed from the LORD by a payment of five shekels to the priests. Interestingly, the first born of unclean cattle, which are not fit to be consecrated as sacrifice to the LORD, are also to be redeemed likewise.

Sacrifices after completion of childbirth purification

Leviticus 12: 1-8 LXX - burnt offering and sin offering after the 40 or 80 days of purification after childbirth, two turtle doves or two young pigeons in place of a lamb if she is poor.

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, Whatsoever woman shall have conceived and born a male child shall be unclean seven days, she shall be unclean according to the days of separation for her monthly courses. And on the eighth day she shall circumcise the flesh of his foreskin. And for thirty-three days she shall continue in her unclean blood; she shall touch nothing holy, and shall not enter the sanctuary, until the days of her purification be fulfilled. But if she should have born a female child, then she shall be unclean twice seven days, according to the time of her monthly courses; and for sixty-six days shall she remain in her unclean blood. And when the days of her purification shall have been fulfilled for a son or a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of a year old without blemish for a whole-burnt-offering, and a young pigeon or turtle-dove for a sin-offering to the door of the tabernacle of witness, to the priest. And he shall present it before the Lord, and the priest shall make atonement for her, and shall purge her from the fountain of her blood; this is the law of her who bears a male or a female. And if she cannot afford a lamb, then shall she take two turtle-doves or two young pigeons, one for a whole-burnt-offering, and one for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be purified. . . ."

Mary presented her child at the temple

The account in Luke 2: 21-24, of Mary presenting the child Iesous at the temple is a record of her keeping BOTH the commandments: that of redeeming her first born son as commanded in Numbers 18, and also of making offerings after her 40 days of childbirth purification were over. While the offering of a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons is mentioned in this gospel account, the payment of 5 shekels (2 ounces) of silver as the redemption price is not mentioned by Luke.

Luke 2: 21-24 YLT
21 And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, then was his name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before his being conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present to the Lord,
23 as it hath been written in the Law of the Lord, -- `Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,`
24 and to give a sacrifice, according to that said in the Law of the Lord, `A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.`

Prayers in times of distress

"Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven . . ." Lamentations 3:41 NKJV

"Unto Thee I lift up mine eyes . . . " Psalm 123: 1 KJV

The following passages tells us to turn to Adonai Yehovah, Our Father in Heaven, in times of distress:

Lamentations 2:19 NKJV
“Arise, cry out in the night,
     At the beginning of the watches;
Pour out your heart like water
     before the face of the Lord.
Lift your hands toward Him
     For the life of your young children,
     Who faint from hunger at the head of every street.”

Lamentations 3: 40, 41 NKJV
Let us search out and examine our ways,
     And turn back to the LORD; (Yehovah)
Let us lift our hearts and hands
     To God in heaven.

Psalm 123: 1, 2
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
     O You who dwell in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
     As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
     Until He has mercy on us.

Sunday, 20191201
Wesley Methodist, Kampar.

Why did Israel ask for a king?

Why did Israel ask for a king?

26 May 2019 09:30 hrs
Reading from 1 Samuel chapter 8.

Introduction

Samuel failed to discipline his sons and to bring them up uprightly. His sons, Joel and Abijah, took bribes and lived corruptly. Yet he appointed them as judges over Beersheba.

As a result of these corrupt judges, the people of Israel came to see Samuel and demanded that a king be appointed over them.

1 Sam 8:4,5 KJV Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

This was the first reason why Israel wanted a king.

However, this wasn't a good reason. For by demanding that a king be appointed over them, Israel forgot that they had rejected a much higher King who was already ruling over them.

That King was the Lord YeHoVaH himself!

1Sam 8:6,7KJV But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

There was also a second, and perhaps a more pressing reason why Israel wanted a king. This reason can be seen in their reply to Samuel after he had cautioned them and warned them about the oppression that they would suffer from a human king.

1 Sam 8:19,20 KJV Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

It is obvious from this passage today, that Israel's demand for a king was also because they wanted to "be like all the nations" around them. They were falling into a temptation, to be conformed to his world.

Instead of remaining steadfast as a people of the Lord YeHoVaH, they wanted to follow they ways of the gentile nations.

They have rejected YeHoVaH.

Today we continue to face the same temptation to be conformed to the world around us.

One of the most common temptation is the urge to adopt the "contemporary" practices of the world, from contemporary songs to contemporary styles of worships to contemporary sermons from the pulpit.

We must bear in mind that when we fall into unguarded adoption of contemporary practices, we are conforming to a temporary way of living.

Like Israel asking for a "contemporary" king, that they also may be like all the nations around them, the adoption of so called contemporary practices makes us fall into the error of forsaking YeHoVaH our eternal King.

Asking for an electrician

Luke 11:5-6 NKJV

Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

Luke 11:11-12 NKJV

If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Wednesday 27/2/2019:
I had been praying for a way to call an electrician to repair a faulty backyard light, both yesterday on the long train journey home as well as this morning while driving home after my morning walk at the Rakan Muda Sports Complex.

Then just after I arrived for breakfast at Golden Castle, an acquaintance called Yip, one of the three "Great Wall Band" brothers who performed at my daughter's wedding dinner four years ago, came over to my table to say hello.

I was surprised by that gesture because the brothers usually appear rather quiet and somewhat taciturn at other times.

For a while I wondered whether Yip needed a favour from me, but he didn't. We just exchanged pleasantries, asked about each other, what we're doing etc

Then it occurred to me that he might know an electrician who can come to my house to fix the broken light.

So I asked him if he knew any electrician in town because the one I know is always busy and it's hard for me to get him.

He managed to get a phone number for me from another friend of his

Just now I called the electrician at lunch  after visiting my mother in Ipoh, and he agreed to come over in a day or two.

He told me he is busy today, took down my address and said he'll call me back when he's free. I told him that I'm not in a hurry, that he can calk me back tomorrow.

Hopefully he can get it done soon.

Update, Thursday morning 28/2, the electrician, who introduced himself as Ah Seong, called and subsequently came over to replace the broken light.

The Lord provides again. Thanks be to God through Our Lord Yesu the Anointed One.

The Lord's Prayer according to St Luke

Luke 11:1-4 RBV

In Luke 11:3 the disciples were taught to say, "Give us day by day our daily bread" in contrast to Matthew's account, Matt 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread"

-->  We can ask Our Father In Heaven to provide for our daily needs everyday, in contrast to asking for "this day" or today as recorded in Matthew.

Also in Luke 11: 4b, the disciples were taught to say, "And do not lead us into temptation (this word  πειρασμόν is also translated as "trials" or "testing" in James 1:12 and 1Peter 4:12)

Some translations, including the Revised Berkeley version that I'm reading this morning, adds "but deliver us from the evil one".

--> We can pray for deliverance from Satan, the Devil himself, not just from some evil circumstances, set-backs or difficulties.

So the next time we say the Lord's prayer in our own quiet time, we can pray,

    Give us each day our daily bread

And also

    Deliver us from the Evil One.