Justin Houtz

Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

DateVersionReading Plan
January 2, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Genesis 3-5

Observation

Gen. 3:7 – No mention of shame, but seems implicit in the fashioning of loincloths

Gen. 3:20 – Adam called his wife’s name “Eve” after he fall. This is a different Hebrew word than “Woman” in Gen. 2:23.

Gen. 4:23 – Lamech (descendant of Cain) killed a man for wounding him; Cain’s lineage of murder

Gen. 5:26 – This Lamech from Seth’s line is not the same man as the descendent of Cain (Gen. 4:18)

Application

Genesis 4:23-24 (ESV) Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”

Lamech (descendent of Cain) continues in the family lineage by killing a man for wounding him. We see here the disastrous effects of the fall even in the first few generations after Adam. It is a stark reminder that the relational dissension and division we experience today and need for salvation in Christ can be traced all the way back to the beginning.

Luke 2

Observation

Luke 2:4 – Luke includes the detail that Joseph was of the lineage of David

  • Joseph was of the line of David’s son, Solomon, while Mary was from David’s son, Nathan

Luke 2:34 – Simeon told Mary that her child “is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel”

  • Jesus was a spiritual divider of society (a sign … opposed). In considering the gospel about Christ, many in Israel “fell” eternally due to unbelief and others rose by faith to eternal life. (CSB Notes)

Luke 2:51 – Luke records that Mary treasured up her heart the events and words spoken regarding Jesus being found in the temple when He was twelve.

  • The phrase kept all these things in her heart, like v. 19, implies that Mary herself was Luke’s source for much of the unique material in chaps. 1 and 2. (CSB Notes)

Application

Luke 2:4 (ESV) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David

Joseph and Mary both being of the Davidic line represents a clear fulfillment of prophecy that the Messiah would arrive through the house of David. This, along with a host of other prophetic fulfillments in Jesus, leaves us without question that He is the One, true Savior of the world. May our response to this wonderful truth be our gratitude of HIs promise kept and utmost surrender to our Great Lord and Savior.

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