Advent: True and False Comfort

The world created by God was approximately one thousand years old. In the world two generations had developed. On the one side we see the generation of Cain. It is the line which led away from God. Genesis 4:16 says, “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD.” And his children followed in this sinful path. They comforted themselves in their own work. They accepted the cursed earth and the toil of their hands, and found their life in a world without God. They found their life in eating, drinking, and marrying.

We read of Lamech, that he took two wives. The children born to Adah were Jabal, the father of such that dwell in tents, and his brother Jubal, the father of such that handle the harp and organ. And the son of Zillah was Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron. Man without God developed his gifts and strength in such a manner that he found satisfaction and comfort in life without God. The gifts of God’s common grace were shining brightly. There were all kinds of inventions — Jabal made tents, an improvement of their dwelling-comforts, and Jubal brightened their lives with music. Cain’s generation climbed to the height of knowledge and ungodliness.

Cain’s generation found comfort in their own work. They lived in their tents without God, with their music, eating, and drinking. They lived comfortably without God; they lived for themselves. They defended themselves, following the revolution of their father Lamech: “I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.” They defended and exalted themselves, but true comfort was missing in their tents.

The Lord Jesus has compared the days of this first world with the days of the coming of the Son of Man on the clouds. Are we aware of the time in which we live? Does not our generation also find rest and comfort in our daily lives, in eating, drinking, music, and tents? Who asks for God his Maker? Who seeks communion with God through Christ? What does the coming Christmas Day mean to many, other than eating and the giving of presents? Who knows the true meaning of Christmas? Who longs for the coming of Christ on the clouds? Is it not true in our time, as it was with Cain: “And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord”?

However, let us not look only at the world around us. Let us search our own hearts and lives. What is the main purpose of our family life, of our children and young people? Do we follow the footsteps of Cain? What are the values of our life?

Let us also search our spiritual life. What and who is our comfort? When we live under the preaching of God’s Word and law, there can be impressions of God’s righteous judgment. Convictions of sin, the wrath of God, and a slavish fear can make such an impression upon our souls that we begin to work to improve our lives; we begin to work to help ourselves. We walk in the path of duty, and, like Paul, we may live blamelessly. We find comfort in our work. We seek rest and peace in the works of the law, thereby climbing up to God. We find life without Christ, mixing works and grace. Advent time has no meaning for us, for we can help ourselves. There is no longing and waiting for Christ, the only Savior.

Oh, search your hearts; Christ is coming! Do we expect Him? Do we wait for Him? He will come unexpectedly, but not unannounced. Let the Word of God shine over your life. Romans 12:2 warns us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The world can never give us comfort and peace in our lives.

In the text of this article we read of a different generation than Cain’s. We read of the line of Seth. Genesis 4:25 says, “And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: for God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel.” And in the next verse we read this statement: “Then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” This took place in the year 130. Then we can follow the line — Enos in the year 235, Cainan in the year 325, Jared in the year 460, Enoch in the year 622, Lamech in the year 874. (This was another Lamech than was mentioned in chapter 4). This Lamech was 182 years old when he received a son (Gen. 5:28). He called his name Noah and said, “This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.”

We find life without Christ, mixing works and grace. Advent time has no meaning for us, for we can help ourselves.

It was a dark time. Sin increased and the faithful ones died. In the year 930 Adam died, in the year 987 Enoch was taken away, and Seth passed away in the year 1042. Still the golden line of God’s good pleasure was not broken. Lamech received a son and called his name Noah. It was a continuation of the promised seed concerning Jesus Christ, the seed of the woman, the line which led to the birth of Christ. Oh, wonder of God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness! “Jehovah’s truth will stand forever, His covenant- bonds He will not sever.” Come and behold God’s ways. He will fulfill all His promises; He will never forsake the works of His own hands.

We may see how the two generations are developing, not next to each other, but opposed to one another. Enmity was placed between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. Cain’s generation comforted themselves with their own work, while Seth’s generation was waiting for the salvation of the Lord, the fulfillment of God’s promise. They could not find comfort in the cursed world. This is what we hear in the testimony of Lamech when his son was born. His faith was expressed in the name which he gave the child; Noah means rest. “This same shall comfort us.”

Lamech didn’t blame God for the curse which rested on the world. He did not blame society, nor the world. We may see him standing with his child in his arms. He tells what is in his heart. He lived in the same world as Cain did, under the same circumstances. He also had to labor in the sweat of his face; he also lived in a cursed world, but he could not find rest in it. He had felt the cause of this curse; it was his sin. The fall in Paradise became his sin. Not only the world was cursed, but he also. And that curse was just. He abhorred himself in dust and ashes. He could not understand that the Lord was so good for such a sinful man. He felt that the wrath of God could not be quenched by the music of Jubal. Nothing of the world could satisfy him. Then, when this child was born, his soul longed for the promised Seed. He saw in this child the promised Jesus, the Christ, the Savior. His soul was longing for Him. He was the only one who could help him. With an eye of faith he saw the coming Christ.

How poor was Cain’s generation! They ate, drank, played, worked, and danced. That was their comfort, but it is the way to destruction. But there are other people whose eyes are opened for the emptiness of the world. Their own hands, hearts, and souls are longing for Christ. They are waiting for the consolation of Israel, the salvation of God, the revelation of Christ. Oh, they understand Lamech. Sometimes they receive a promise, “Fear not; they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Sometimes they think that the promise is the fulfillment. Oh, when their eyes may see something of the goodness and grace of Christ, when they hear His voice, His invitations, His willingness and suitability, and that He is able to bear their burden, they then see so much in Him — in His names, attributes, offices, and natures. They sing of the mercies of the Lord.

So it was with Lamech. “This same shall comfort us.” He had the golden thread in his hand, but... it was not Christ Himself. What a lesson for a soul who has seen so much in Christ and has received so much from Him, but then to discover that it is not Christ Himself! The wrath, anger, and curse of God were covered and not felt at that moment.

Lamech’s arms became empty again. The benefits are not the Benefactor. He had seen Christ afar off, and that caused a stronger longing. The hypocrite gives up here. But faith sees its salvation coming. It is the Holy Spirit who leads a soul to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Simeon, brought to the temple by the Holy Spirit, took the child in his arms. When the Holy Spirit leads us to the full revelation of Christ, we have to die. He is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. Then we are placed before God as Judge, and we have nothing to say. The curse of the law is upon us, and who can stand in His presence? But then we may see Christ as our Surety, that He stood in our stead. The sword of God’s justice crushed Him; He was sentenced to death. In that way He became the Surety, and only in Him the fierceness of God’s anger was quenched.

There only is the full meaning of Noah’s name, namely, rest. There they may and can find rest for their souls. They say with Simeon, “Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” He is faithful and willing to do it. Oh, do not seek another Comforter. Everything outside of Christ will leave you empty. Let us be aware of the time in which we live. The world is ripening for the coming of Christ. Sin increases, and the world goes further away from God. For God’s child His coming is welcome. They will be delivered from all sin and persecution. For the world it means eternal destruction. But now the voice of Christ is still heard, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”

Rev. H. Hofman is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

A Call to Awaken

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

—Matthew 11:28

Oh thou quiet, careless, assured sinner, wake up! Perhaps you now mock those heavy laden and laboring people when you see how they are burdened under the weight of their sins. But if you only knew their happiness and your own unhappiness, how you would long to mourn as they do! Seek then, without delay, to become truly labored and heavy laden. Above all, seek to understand your sinful condition. Stand still therefore, and consider your way of life. See what terrible danger you are in, that the sword of Damocles is hanging above your head. Stand still and be terrified. Consider this: Am I hanging above the mouth of hell, and am I so at ease about it? See also how helpless and completely powerless you are to save yourself. No person is able to be your surety, to pay your unredeemable debt. Seek God with a heart of holy dismay and confusion of soul, praying to Him for mercy. Cry, “Woe is me!” and smite upon your thigh. Abhor your spiritual state, which is terrible, and wrestle day and night with God that He in mercy might change your condition and grant you grace.

Oh, that your eyes might become focused upon Christ who, in His fullness and readiness, can help you! Try to reach Him, and bow yourself down before Him, as sinful as you are. Cast yourself into His arms of love. I can assure you that you shall then find rest.

— Rev. Abraham Hellenbroek

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