Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah. Genesis 4:19-22
Dear heavenly Father, I’m smitten with gratitude today for the gift of culture, and for the gifts of music and songs in particular. I didn’t anticipate having the flames of my art-thankfulness getting freshly stoked as we drove to the Paul McCartney concert. But as he cranked-it-up, and we stood up, whooped-it-up, teared-up and cheered him on… my thoughts went heavenward. Who created melody, harmony, and poetry, but you, most glorious and generous Father?
I praise you for being the God from whom all blessings flow. I praise you for calling us to take the raw stuff of creation and fill the earth with your glory—to make culture as a revelation of your goodness, truth and beauty. I praise you that this calling didn’t cease when sin and death violated, permeated and spoiled every sphere of your creation.
I praise you that though we, your image-bearers, we’re devastatingly marked and fatally marred by sin—becoming murders, idolaters and adulterers—we didn’t cease being your image-bearers. As a Creator you also chose to become a Redeemer. Even from the first homicide (Cain killing Abel) and extremely broken family tree, you brought forth Lamech, a polygamist whose children became herdsmen… artisans… craftsmen… musicians. And every nation, every people group and every culture has benefited from your irrepressible generosity and goodness…
What a God you are… there is none like you, no not one, heavenly Father! From this same faithless, fractured and foolish family tree, you brought forth the promised Seed of the woman—the Messiah… your Son, Jesus. And by him, you are making all things new—a covenant people to love forever, and a new heaven and new earth in which we will dwell together. I can barely begin to imagine the culture-making we will enjoy in the new heaven and new earth… Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lord Jesus, it’s only because of your life, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession that we have this great and living hope. The bottom line is this: All we need is your love… here, there and everywhere. So very Amen, we pray, in your new-creation-making name.