The ones before the cross, the patriarchs, would have known about this promise at the end of Chapter 3 that the seed would come through the woman.
In today's text, place yourself in the place of Adam and Eve. They heard this prophecy spoken, and in their minds, maybe they are thinking it's a great prophecy but it won't be fulfilled for thousands of years. We're going to see today that they had a more immediate thought for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
In Genesis 4, we find them starting a family. What we will see in this chapter is man's sin against man not just against God. This is a story we must examine closely because it's going to teach us something about ourselves, and the nature and progression of sin in our own lives.
Genesis 4:1 - 5a
The statement by Eve at the birth of Cain "I have obtained a man (baby boy) with the help of the Lord."
In 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 it talks about this reciprocity that man and woman depend on one another. In the creation account, we see Eve being taken out of the man. We now see a man being taken out of a woman.
J. M. Boyce, a commentary writer, says a better translation is: "I have gotten a man, even the deliverer." Do you get that?
She gives birth to a man, and what is her first thought? "This is the one." She places her hope on this first son of her womb. Heartbreaking. She has instead given birth to the first murderer. She later gives birth to Abel meaning "a mist or a vapor" - seeing here the fleeting nature of life.
Cain is a worker of the ground. Abel is a keeper of sheep.
Even though the fall has happened, and original sin will taint everything onward, the cultural mandate is still going forward.
Cain and Abel have some understanding that a sacrifice is required, even though that law has not been established yet, and be given in a particular way. Abel brings what is expected since he keeps sheep. His offering is accepted. Cain brings the fruit of the ground since he is a worker of the ground. Why do you think God rejected Cain's offering? Is it because Abel brought a blood sacrifice?
We know later on when we know the laws are given regarding sacrifices. There were all kinds of sacrifices that were acceptable. So that's probably not it. What is it that makes a sacrifice acceptable to the Lord?
Look at Genesis 4:5 which says "but for Cain and his offering, He had no regard." God always only wants an offering that comes from a pure motive.
One of the hints we see here in the text is that Abel brings the first born of his flock, but Cain it says brought some of his fruit from the ground - doesn't say "first fruits." It's possible Cain was holding back the best and the first for himself. This is Cain's first offense against God - his offering.
He has made an outward show of righteousness with an inward resistance. This is call "legalism." What do we see happening with sin only one generation removed from Adam and Eve, a more sophisticated form of sin has already taken place. When murder enters in, we also see that sin is getting bolder.
In Psalm 51:16-17 it describes the sacrifice God is pleased with:
A broken spirit and a contrite heart.
Cain's Response To God Rejecting His Sacrifice
Verse 5-6 says "he was angry and his face fell." We see in verses 6 and 7 God doing what God is good doing - He's giving Cain an opportunity for repentance. God is basically saying "Cain, you know what was required but you have chosen to do otherwise." God in verse 7 is giving Cain the opportunity to repent and slay his anger, but Cain will slay his brother instead. His brother's righteousness will incur his wrath.
For Us
We treat sin in our life as if it's not a big deal. We say "I can handle this. It's just a small sin." But sin always grows bigger. Sooner or later it will consume us. So when God pricks us regarding something in our life, we should be so quick not to get angry but to repent.
Let's See What Happens
Verses 8-12 the unspeakable happens - Cain kills Abel. What does God do? Does He immediately strike him down? Again, God is slow to anger and patient. He engages Cain in dialogue once again. But what is Cain's response? "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"
He responds with:
- Blame shifting (like Adam and Eve)
- Evasiveness (like Adam and Eve)
- Anger
- Sarcasm
His heart is hard, but we see God:
- Pursuing Cain
- Initiating diaglogue with him
- Warning of impending danger
- Questioning Cain
- Giving him opportunity to repent
- Assigning a punishment for sin
The Punishment
Genesis 4:11-12 gives the punishment. Even though the ground has been cursed, Cain enjoys some amount of success working the ground, but now, he will have zero success. He will also be a fugitive and a wanderer. How is this an appropriate punishment for someone like Cain? Have you ever tried to grow a garden as a fugitive and a wanderer? This is the worst punishment.
Cain's Response To His Punishment
Genesis 4:13 - this is "greater than I can bear." There is no ownership of what he's done. Only further anger, further rejection towards God's decrees. Further in verses 13-14 there is no repentance from Cain.
In Genesis 4:15-16, Cain settled in the land of "Nod" which means wandering. Notice it says that Cain "went away from the presence of the Lord." In contrast, Adam and Eve were driven out.
What was the Mark on Cain? We don't know. Why did God do it? Three reasons are possible:
- God means it when He says "vengance is mine"
- To show God's generosity for the sinner
- To serve as a living warning to others
What was Cain's main concern? Himself.
Hebrew 11:4 speaks of Abel. What's interesting in this verse is that when it says "he still speaks", Abel never spoke in Genesis. But he still continues to speak because of his faithfulness to God. Abel is mentioned again in Hebrews 12:22-24 - "blood of Abel". What does verse 24 mean? What did the blood of Abel cry out for from the ground? It cried out for justice.
What did the blood of Christ cry out for? Mercy.
The cross speaks a better word.
Worship
What kind of worship are we offering? Abel understood his offering was unto God. Cain understood his offering was a master of his domain.
What Can We Learn From This Story?
- God is gracious
- God is wise
- God is just
- God is gracious in the midst of His justice
- God is longsuffering
This story is instructive to us about how we should regard the nature of sin and how we should regard the grace of God.
We should identify with Abel as a breath and a vapor.
Look up: Psalm 39:5. Psalm 144:4. Isaiah 2:22.
Next: Session 7 "Named and Known"
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