Lamach (Genesis 4:19-24) is so full of himself. He’s the first polygamist, taking the idea of male domination to a new level. Then, he murders a young man, justifying it by the old “he hit me first’ logic. AND, he makes up a song about it, gloating and thumping his chest about how righteous he is, how valuable his life is and how obligated God is to protect him. I’d call him a jerk, but name-calling is something I’m supposed to work on during this ‘fast’ from violence. That, and I have used the ‘he hit me first’ logic when it suits me, so that would make me a jerk too.
There’s the rub: From the moment I return violence for violence, I have become what I condemn. The only way I can truly justify my action is to believe that my rights, my feelings and my personhood reside at the center of the universe. And if I recall, THAT is the essence of idolatry. Bottom line, idolatry leads to all manner of violent acts against others. Lamach is a reminder that humanity has been spiraling out of control due to being out of right relationship with God. We need SOMEONE to intervene. Thank God for Jesus, the One sent to stop the downward spiral and to enable us to live a new ‘life’ ethic.
Tongue on Fire 