False Hope
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said,
I have gotten a man from the LORD.
Genesis 4:1
Read Genesis 4:1, 2
When Eve gave birth to her firstborn she responded with great joy, “I have
gotten a man from the Lord.” This must be understood in light of the promise
God had given to Adam and his wife, namely, that the seed of the woman
would bruise the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). Eve was undoubtedly
looking forward to the fulfillment of that promise. She is a good example to
us. How many promises has the Lord given us in His Word which we scarcely
consider?
In another sense, however, Eve’s hope upon this child is not commendable.
As Cain’s life developed, he proved to be a child of Adam,a sinner who became
a danger to his fellow man. His brother Abel would experience the
consequences of this.
The lesson we must learn from this development is that deliverance from
sin must not be sought from man; it must come from God. We cannot expect
anything from a son of Adam, but must seek salvation from the Son of God,
Jesus Christ. This also means that we are not to have any hope in ourselves
or in our accomplishments. A poet once summed it up in this way, “Nothing
in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.” Have you learned this?
Thought: Christianity is the only religion that expects no contribution
from man.
Psalter 317:2 (based on Psalm 118)
The Lord with me, I will not fear Tho’ human might oppose;
The Lord my helper, I shall be Triumphant o’er my foes.
No trust in men, or kings of men, Can confidence afford,
But they are strong, and sure their trust, Whose hope is in the Lord.
