The City of Man and the People of God

Banished further from the presence of God, Cain wanders throughout the land east of Eden. There he somewhat settles and builds a city that's populated with his expanding family. This city is decidedly self-sufficient and independent of God's salvific grace. But it's not without God's common grace, as seen in the marvelous inventions that arise from its residents. Alongside tremendous potential for good, sin and rebellion continue to fester and reach a culmination of sorts in Lamech and his boastful song. Meanwhile, Eve gives birth to another son and again recognizes God's promise (though not without sore lamentation over Abel's murder). In contrast to the children of Cain, Seth's offspring transcend an earthly focus and find their chief security in the true God whose name alone is to be hallowed. Like Seth and his descendants, all God's chosen people call upon his name as they wait for the full arrival of the city whose builder and founder is God himself—Zion, the city of the Great King!