Genesis 4:16–17
Memory Verse
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod, east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch (Genesis 4:16–17).
Cain’s punishment from God was to wander throughout the earth as a vagabond–never to have a settled home (Genesis 4:14). However, Cain continued to follow the way of Satan and built a city. Out from this city and the sons of Enoch, Satan designed the first world system. Through Jabal, he developed commerce (Genesis 4:20). He used Jubal, Jabal’s brother, to implement culture (Genesis 4:21). Industry was developed through Tubal-Cain (Genesis 4:21). The judicial system was based upon Lamech’s experience with a man who attempted to kill him (Genesis 4:23–24). Through these four branches, Satan could manage the sin nature of humans and continue to persuade them to follow his ways.
Genesis 6:5 highlights the result of this world system, recording that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and every formation of the thoughts of his heart was continually evil all day long. This world system was a savage place, but not in the sense of physical violence or war. Instead, this type of violence is calculated rapacity and predatory, ready to seize an opportunity to attack another and take everything they possess (Genesis 6:11).
Today, we live in the second world system designed by Satan after the flood, which destroyed the first one. In this system, Satan has also incorporated false religions that came out of the Tower of Babble. The world system pacifies the sin nature of man (1 John 5:19). In Christ, the Christian has been crucified to the world and the world to him (Galatians 6:4). Because Satan’s system manipulates men through the strong desires of the flesh and eyes, and the pride of biological life, the world system is indifferent to Christians (1 John 2:16; John 15:19). Therefore, the grace believer must learn to live in the world without taking full use of it so that he does not become overwhelmed by its desires to follow the path of Satan in self-effort and independence from God (1 Corinthians 7:31).