Nod
One of my favorite stories in the Bible (in a wierd sort of way) is from Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel. We just read this passage again in a Bible Study I am in, and it reminded me of how sadly beautiful it is. Now, you might say why in the world would someone actually LIKE the first murder in the Bible? I'll admit, it is a story of jealousy, rage, pride, and profound sadness, as Cain kills his brother Abel over his bruised ego. But it is not this part of the story that I like, but the "afterwards."
"Cain said to the Lord [after the Lord told Cain he would wander the earth as a fugitive], 'My punishment is greater than I can bear! Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.' And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod (Hebrew for Wandering), east of Eden." (Genesis 4:13-16).
Anyone who has ever felt like a wanderer knows what this story is all about. Cain in his rage breaks his relationship with both God and humanity (which is always the ultimate consequence of sin -- broken relationships), and his new reality beyond the safety and security of the land and family is too much for him to bear. He doesn't believe he can survive on his own -- he will be destroyed.
Yet the beauty of this story is in God's response. For while Cain is destined to wander the earth (the word Nod means "wandering"), he is never going to be alone. He has the Mark of God blazened on him as a warning to everyone who's child this is. Even East of Eden, Cain is not alone.
What a lonely but secure place that must have been for Cain. There is a longing to go home and be back in paradise, but the reality of Nod is all you've got.
That sounds a lot like every single tv show that caries any weight and impact these days, doesn't it? Alias, the Sopranos, Lost, Desparate Housewives... -- all of these shows describe characters who wander, who are lost, who want things to be different, who cling to hope that redemption will come.
I believe these stories connect with us because they are the human story. We too are wanderers in the land of Nod -- far away from home and security. We too have made mistakes that have driven us there. Yet, we too have hope because we know under whose Mark we rest.
That is the hope of our Christian faith. Even East of Eden, even on this side of Eternity, God loves us.
On Ash Wednesday, many Christian traditions mark those who come to worship with a cross of Ash on their forheads, as a reminder under whose mark we walk. May that be our perpetual reminder, both of our calling and our security.
AMEN
"Cain said to the Lord [after the Lord told Cain he would wander the earth as a fugitive], 'My punishment is greater than I can bear! Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.' And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod (Hebrew for Wandering), east of Eden." (Genesis 4:13-16).
Anyone who has ever felt like a wanderer knows what this story is all about. Cain in his rage breaks his relationship with both God and humanity (which is always the ultimate consequence of sin -- broken relationships), and his new reality beyond the safety and security of the land and family is too much for him to bear. He doesn't believe he can survive on his own -- he will be destroyed.
Yet the beauty of this story is in God's response. For while Cain is destined to wander the earth (the word Nod means "wandering"), he is never going to be alone. He has the Mark of God blazened on him as a warning to everyone who's child this is. Even East of Eden, Cain is not alone.
What a lonely but secure place that must have been for Cain. There is a longing to go home and be back in paradise, but the reality of Nod is all you've got.
That sounds a lot like every single tv show that caries any weight and impact these days, doesn't it? Alias, the Sopranos, Lost, Desparate Housewives... -- all of these shows describe characters who wander, who are lost, who want things to be different, who cling to hope that redemption will come.
I believe these stories connect with us because they are the human story. We too are wanderers in the land of Nod -- far away from home and security. We too have made mistakes that have driven us there. Yet, we too have hope because we know under whose Mark we rest.
That is the hope of our Christian faith. Even East of Eden, even on this side of Eternity, God loves us.
On Ash Wednesday, many Christian traditions mark those who come to worship with a cross of Ash on their forheads, as a reminder under whose mark we walk. May that be our perpetual reminder, both of our calling and our security.
AMEN
posted by Jeff Lincicome at
7:15 AM
1 Comments:
JEff I loved your reading and insight into that passage. It really brought a new light to that passage for me and I think you are a hundred percent right when you say we to are wondering in search of something. So thank you very much Jeff and God Bless.
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Anonymous, at 6:59 AM
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