Sometimes I get bogged down in the family tree passages in the Bible, but something caught my eye this week that I thought was pertinent to Father’s Day. As you may recall from Genesis chapter 4, Adam and Eve’s first two sons were Cain and Abel. You can read the whole drama there, but long story short—Cain killed his brother in a fit of jealousy. Although he was banished by the Lord for his sin, Cain found mercy in the Lord and went on to have children of his own.

Here’s a quick run-down of father to son for the next several generations: Cain >> Enoch >> Irad >> Mehujael >> Methushael >> Lamech. So, Cain’s great-great-great-grandson, Lamech, had three sons and a token daughter (girls don’t usually matter much in lineage discussions, but I digress). One son, Jabal, grew up to become “the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock;” another one named Jubal became “the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes;” and the third, Tubal-Cain, fathered those “who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron” (Genesis 4: 19-22).

Before we go further, can we just pause a moment and consider how confusing that household must have been? Three rowdy boys running around, and Lamech hollers: “Jabal! Jubal! Tubal! Whatever your name is; come here!” Anyway …

Lamech’s sons are singled out in this family tree, based on the legacy that they will pass on to future generations. You might say that Jabal was like the Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Jubal the conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra and Tubal-Cain the president of the National Mining Association. These three men became industry leaders in their respective areas and passed down those skills from generation to generation.

Perhaps you aren’t in the same field of work as your family, but work-related skills aside … what other legacy are you leaving for your own children? Will your great-grandchildren (and their great-grandchildren) narrate tales of your reputation as a spiritual leader, your boldness for Christ and your heart for the un-churched community? You don’t have to be an industry leader to leave a remarkable legacy.