Once out of Eden it is astonishing and sobering to read how rapidly and seriously sin increased and spread.
Adam and Eve’s firstborn son Cain, killed his brother Abel, in a fit of pique and rage, because his offering was not accepted by God in the way his brothers was. Adam’s eldest son – a murderer! Genesis 4:8.
Cain’s son built the first city, called Enoch, after their firstborn son. Cities are places where sin finds increased expression. Genesis 4:16-26.
Four further generations later we reach Lamech, who was the first man to take two wives.
There was considerable cultural development in these days including farming, musical instruments, and craftsmanship in a variety of metals.
Lamech however was an incredibly violent man who used excessive brutality against minimal provocation, boasting of the people he had murdered.
He was also pleasure seeking and committed to physical and outward beauty. His wives’ names indicate this. Adah means “pleasure, ornament or beauty”; Zillah means “shade” probably referring to a luxurious covering of hair. His daughter’s name was Naamah, which means “loveliness”.
The last account of Adam and Eve was, that through Seth, their eldest son, the line of the promised deliverer would be continued, and so it did.
“And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore him a son and named him Seth – meaning “appointed”. For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed….then began to call on the name of the Lord”. Genesis 4:25,26.