Cursing One's Self

Scripture: Lamech said to his wives:

Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words.
For I killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
If Cain is to be avenged seven times over,
then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!

Genesis 4:23-24

Observation: Though it isn't clear in the prior text, Lamech seems to imply that the curse placed upon Cain was to the 7th generation. Including Cain, Lamech is the 6th generation of Cain's line, and thus his children are the 7th generation. Lamech is now confessing to the same crime of murder, and thus announcing to his wives that the curse will not end with their sons, but will now continue into perpetuity ... 77 generations is far longer than anyone could account or consider.

Lamech pronounces this curse, though it isn't pronounced by God. He has taken this upon himself - he has judged his actions, determined their punishment, and passed the sentence. This would make sense if there were no hope for any redemption. Lamech has been shown by family legacy that committing sin produces judgment, sentence, and curse. Therefore, he simply assumes this is true for himself, without any other context or example that sin could be acknowledged, repented, and forgiven.

Application: Without the hope of forgiveness, all sin is death. With a promise of forgiveness, hope is possible. This is good, because I sin. Without hope in a savior, I would simply know I was cursed to death, and my best possible outcome would be that I don't do something that would curse my 7th-great-grandchildren.

This is the wonder of hope. Hope in Jesus produces life and joy. If that hope didn't exist - or was rejected - then like Lamech sinners (i.e., everyone) would make mistakes and declare the curses they know are then upon them. I am so eternally thankful that I have hope in Jesus.

Prayer: Abba, I thank you for Jesus, the hope of the world. Please do forgive me of my sins, for they are many. I wish to repent of sin, though I know I am weak and often tempted back. I ask for your strength to overcome, just as your hope overcomes my daily fears. Please, father, take my hand and guide me this day. Amen.