This is not a well known part of the early history of man kind after the creation of man and man's fall (sin), but it does reveal a great deal about the development of human kind in this early period.
Mark Tronson is one of those theologians who believes the Bible and takes the text as being not only instructive for wholesome living, but it reveals the essentials to understand the history of man.
He recognises that when the text provides one verse to describe the entire life and contribution of a person, there is obviously a whole lot more about that person's life wrapped up in that one verese.
Yesterday he gave the illustration of the famous swimmer Dawn Fraser who won Olympic Gold in the same 100 metres event at three successive Olympics, yet her life was much more than that one aspect of her life.
So too in the Genesis account in the second half of chapter 4 where we read of people where one aspect of their life's contribution is highlighted.
Jabal's father was Lamech whose father was Methusael, who was the fourth generation from Cain. In other words from Cain we read that he had a son named Enoch. Enoch's son was named Irad. Irad's son was named Mehujael and his son was Methusadel who was Lamech's father and then came Jabal.
In Chapter 4 verse 19 we read that Lamech took two wives, one's name was Adah (who bore Jabal) and Zillah. Yesterday we saw this was the first instance of polygamy in the Bible, a wickedness which finally led to the full scale wickedness of man that the great Flood destroyed.
What is said about Jabal?
"He was the father of all such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle." Genesis 4 verse 20.
There are a whole range of suggestions as to the implications of this text.
I rather like the idea put forward by numerous writers that Jabal was
a) the father of the cattle industry
b) the father of all tent-dwellers – (today stockmen)
c) agricultural activity (today technology)
d) pioneer of design (today architecture)
e) pioneer of the clothing industry – leather wear
What it certainly implies is that this was an historical figure who was wonderfully blessed with creative gifts and talents in which he used wisely and to full advantage, for himself, his immediate community and the wider society.
It also illustrates that God takes each person according to their own integrity regardless of the sins of their parents, in this case, Lamech taking more than one wife (Genesis 2 verse 24). This is a remarkable truth that those born into situations for which they had no say. It brings great comfort to many.
The Genesis story in this capsule of time, brings instruction and benefit to us all today. Tomorrow we'll look at Jubal.
