The first indication of this focus on self, not on God is that Cain knew (that is, knew carnally, in this case had a child with) his wife.
As noted elsewhere, Genesis 5:4 shows Cain married a sister. This could be done because there wasn’t the problem with inbreeding yet, as the gene pools were still huge, and not narrowed down like they would be. It could have happened right then or later. Indeed, they could have married before Cain killed Abel. We are not told.
However, even if Cain’s murder of Abel occurred after they married, this is the first instance where we must ask, “What could she have seen in that guy?” Forget the lack of social taboos and lack of problems with inbreeding, since the world was so young. He had walked away from God’s mercy and grace before he murdered her brother, Abel. He wouldn’t listen to God’s call to return.
Look back to our discussions of ideal relationships. The ideal relationship is one where the man is the spiritual leader, but there is unity between the two otherwise. One side doesn’t overpower the other. Instead, each side lovingly gives of himself or herself to please the other. Cain’s wife could - and should - have refused to have anything to do with a man who wouldn’t follow the Lord. If they were unequally yoked, she should have been willing to follow the Lord anyway.
We saw in Gen. 3:16 how a woman’s desire would be to her husband. This is compounded by the man being - in many cases - more physically and emotionally powerful. This is one of the major problems with relationships to this day. They’re not equal in the ways they should be. Yes, women look to men for protection at times, and sometimes, past problems demand it. Every situation is different. However, women should avoid any situation where a man can totally dominate them, unless they are very frail, and that man is so totally loving and devoted they would never take unfair advantage of this. United States President McKinley, for instance, may have been such a figure, given his wife’s epilepsy and his care for her at a time when such a condition wasn’t accepted. He protected her from much ridicule, and loved her unconditionally.
Cain, of course, was the exact opposite. Whether it was his domineering nature, or whether she became so smitten by him she couldn’t think straight, they married, and had a son. He received the same name as a later son in Adam’s line up to Noah. There is an amazing contrast between a man about whom almost nothing is known, and the later man, in Adam’s line, who walked so wonderfully with God.
Eve, on the other hand, declared immediately after giving birth that she had gotten a man from the Lord – she acknowledged God in it.
Cain didn’t honor God in having a son. The name didn’t even reveal anything of God’s nature. He named it after his son. It’s as if he was saying, “I had this child, I will build a city to show my greatness.” Cain was puffed up with pride, just as the devil had been.
Certainly, there are times in life when we name things after others. We give gifts in memory of loved ones. But, the point is, we should never allow that to overshadow God’s work. Yes, a foundation to honor the memory of someone is wonderful. A house that bears someone’s name is fine. But, these things must be done with the reminder that, “This is named after ‘x,’ a person greatly used by God for a purpose.” Even if that purpose is dying young so that others might be moved to fight a certain cause, something God can certainly use for His glory.
Cain was already out from the presence of the Lord, though, as explained earlier. He had no use for God in his life. He wouldn’t consider God’s role in his city.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Gen. 4:16
Cain “went out from the presence of the Lord.” God is, was, and always has been present everywhere. The Temple contained the Holy of Holies, the tabernacle did so before that. Yet, David wrote in Psalm 139 that God would be anywhere, no matter where he went.
This, then, is speaking of a couple things. It speaks of the will of God; God’s will was that Cain remain in a relationship with Him, where He had ordered things, so Cain would be protected. But, it also speaks of Cain’s heart. He’d hardened his heart so much, that he totally shut himself off from contact with God. He’d totally gone his own, rebellious way.
He didn’t have to do this, of course. As noted before, he could have repented, and accepted God’s role as Sovereign in his life. However, his mind was evil. He’d gone so far downhill, in such a short time, that he would not accept any of God’s commands. Indeed, he scoffed at the idea. He felt he could create a much better world on his own. It’s the same way the devil had tried to overthrow God; he thought he could better than God’s perfect goodness, so he sought to be as God. (Is. 14:12-14, Eze. 28:12-19)
So, Cain settled in the land of Nod. It was in the East. The whole world would fall into a pattern of man-centered religions, with many false gods. However, the East has become much better known for such religions.
Such religions are really about people. How can one better oneself on one’s own, without God’s help. That’s what Cain’s line became, for the most part – though the Bible never says there were no exceptions. However, for the most part, they were people who were focused on self.
This, then, is speaking of a couple things. It speaks of the will of God; God’s will was that Cain remain in a relationship with Him, where He had ordered things, so Cain would be protected. But, it also speaks of Cain’s heart. He’d hardened his heart so much, that he totally shut himself off from contact with God. He’d totally gone his own, rebellious way.
He didn’t have to do this, of course. As noted before, he could have repented, and accepted God’s role as Sovereign in his life. However, his mind was evil. He’d gone so far downhill, in such a short time, that he would not accept any of God’s commands. Indeed, he scoffed at the idea. He felt he could create a much better world on his own. It’s the same way the devil had tried to overthrow God; he thought he could better than God’s perfect goodness, so he sought to be as God. (Is. 14:12-14, Eze. 28:12-19)
So, Cain settled in the land of Nod. It was in the East. The whole world would fall into a pattern of man-centered religions, with many false gods. However, the East has become much better known for such religions.
Such religions are really about people. How can one better oneself on one’s own, without God’s help. That’s what Cain’s line became, for the most part – though the Bible never says there were no exceptions. However, for the most part, they were people who were focused on self.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Gen. 4:15
Since it breaks God’s heart so much to see His lost sheep run from Him, He showed His grace once more.
Cain had realized that - as a fugitive and vagabond - he would likely be hunted down and killed. So, God promises to protect Cain. We’re not told how God made the announcement - that anyone who killed Cain would be avenged seven times - to everyone else who was alive. It is possible that He spoke the warning so all the world heard. However, the method isn’t important. What’s important is that this proved God was trying to protect Cain, even in Cain’s unbelief.
He wants Cain to see His incredible mercy, so Cain will turn from his own ways of worship and worship God, and receive His forgiveness through true repentance. He is calling out, “Cain, I am having mercy on you. Don’t you understand this mercy can’t come from man’s ways? Return to Me, just as I pled with you earlier.”
Indeed, even today, it’s amazing how much grace and mercy God has. Not everyone gets a lot of chances, of course. However, despite all the evil that has spread over the entire world, there is still enough goodness, enough protection, that even those who turn from God can see His love if they look for it with a heart of faith. Even the greatest daredevil who lives only for self can find himself or herself spared. Of course, they won’t always find that. God’s mercy only goes so long. And, when the restrainer is removed in the Rapture (2 Thess. 2:7), many may find God’s divine protection suddenly gone for those who don’t trust in Him.
God also puts a mark on Cain. Some have speculated this mark may have been leprosy. That is very plausible. Any kind of mark would need to tell others to stay away from him. It would also match the way leprosy is used to signify uncleanness later. The only question is, would others catch it, also? After all, Cain went out and built his own community. Diseases change over time, though, so that isn’t a huge deal. One alternative is that Cain simply became disfigured somehow, so everyone would recognize him, and have the choice to follow him or God. That would make it more analogous to the Mark of the Beast in Revelation, whose bearers swear loyalty to forces opposing God and are condemned. Either way, it showed that Cain had made his choice. God will offer mercy and grace, but will never compromise His holiness. It is through it that we see His awesome mercy, in that He loves us so much, He offers to make us new when we turn to Him by faith. He wants us to come to Him for cleansing from sin by our own free will.
Cain had realized that - as a fugitive and vagabond - he would likely be hunted down and killed. So, God promises to protect Cain. We’re not told how God made the announcement - that anyone who killed Cain would be avenged seven times - to everyone else who was alive. It is possible that He spoke the warning so all the world heard. However, the method isn’t important. What’s important is that this proved God was trying to protect Cain, even in Cain’s unbelief.
He wants Cain to see His incredible mercy, so Cain will turn from his own ways of worship and worship God, and receive His forgiveness through true repentance. He is calling out, “Cain, I am having mercy on you. Don’t you understand this mercy can’t come from man’s ways? Return to Me, just as I pled with you earlier.”
Indeed, even today, it’s amazing how much grace and mercy God has. Not everyone gets a lot of chances, of course. However, despite all the evil that has spread over the entire world, there is still enough goodness, enough protection, that even those who turn from God can see His love if they look for it with a heart of faith. Even the greatest daredevil who lives only for self can find himself or herself spared. Of course, they won’t always find that. God’s mercy only goes so long. And, when the restrainer is removed in the Rapture (2 Thess. 2:7), many may find God’s divine protection suddenly gone for those who don’t trust in Him.
God also puts a mark on Cain. Some have speculated this mark may have been leprosy. That is very plausible. Any kind of mark would need to tell others to stay away from him. It would also match the way leprosy is used to signify uncleanness later. The only question is, would others catch it, also? After all, Cain went out and built his own community. Diseases change over time, though, so that isn’t a huge deal. One alternative is that Cain simply became disfigured somehow, so everyone would recognize him, and have the choice to follow him or God. That would make it more analogous to the Mark of the Beast in Revelation, whose bearers swear loyalty to forces opposing God and are condemned. Either way, it showed that Cain had made his choice. God will offer mercy and grace, but will never compromise His holiness. It is through it that we see His awesome mercy, in that He loves us so much, He offers to make us new when we turn to Him by faith. He wants us to come to Him for cleansing from sin by our own free will.
Gen. 4:14
One wonders, also, why Cain says what he does in this verse. Because, after mentioning that he would be driven “from the face of the Earth,” he states that he would be hidden from God’s face. Without knowing exactly what was on Cain’s mind, it appears that he wasn’t ready to receive forgiveness. In Psalm 51:11, David pleads for God not to hide His face from him, but to forgive him instead.
It’s possible, of course, that Cain doesn’t feel he can be forgiven. But, if that was the case, God surely would have approached it differently. Peter, for example, wept bitterly after denying the Lord. (Mat. 26:75) The Lord made special mention, however, after rising from the dead, that Peter should be told. He says “Go, tell My disciples, and Peter,” as if perhaps Peter wonders if he is fit to be a disciple anymore. (Mark 16:7) Mark had made a major mistake leaving the mission field once in Acts, and yet later, Paul wishes him to be brought, because Paul knows he will be of great help in the ministry. (2 Tim. 4:11) The Bible is filled with people who have had second chances, and made the most of them.
The most likely possibility is that Cain knew that God was not planning to accept his ways. And, that if that was the case, he knew God would hide his face from him. This, sadly, happens as well in Scripture, such as with King Saul. After the Holy Spirit leaves King Saul, he makes no effort to get right with God. He cares only about the kingdom that has been removed from him. In the same way, consumed with jealousy, Cain chose to destroy the one the Lord favored. Even thought turning back to God in repentance could at least restore his eternal soul.
It’s no wonder the Lord Jesus Christ makes such a major point, thousands of years later, when He tells the people to consider what it can profit a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose his immortal soul. There is no profit at all. And, it breaks God’s heart when someone won’t repent and turn to Him.
It’s possible, of course, that Cain doesn’t feel he can be forgiven. But, if that was the case, God surely would have approached it differently. Peter, for example, wept bitterly after denying the Lord. (Mat. 26:75) The Lord made special mention, however, after rising from the dead, that Peter should be told. He says “Go, tell My disciples, and Peter,” as if perhaps Peter wonders if he is fit to be a disciple anymore. (Mark 16:7) Mark had made a major mistake leaving the mission field once in Acts, and yet later, Paul wishes him to be brought, because Paul knows he will be of great help in the ministry. (2 Tim. 4:11) The Bible is filled with people who have had second chances, and made the most of them.
The most likely possibility is that Cain knew that God was not planning to accept his ways. And, that if that was the case, he knew God would hide his face from him. This, sadly, happens as well in Scripture, such as with King Saul. After the Holy Spirit leaves King Saul, he makes no effort to get right with God. He cares only about the kingdom that has been removed from him. In the same way, consumed with jealousy, Cain chose to destroy the one the Lord favored. Even thought turning back to God in repentance could at least restore his eternal soul.
It’s no wonder the Lord Jesus Christ makes such a major point, thousands of years later, when He tells the people to consider what it can profit a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose his immortal soul. There is no profit at all. And, it breaks God’s heart when someone won’t repent and turn to Him.
Gen. 4:13
Cain doesn’t look for mercy from God. When David sinned with Bathsheba, and went so far as to have her husband Urriah killed, he was truly repentent. Psalm 51 tells David’s deep, heartfelt confession of sin and remorse. David agreed that he’d sinned against God. He pleaded with the Lord not to depart from him, and begged to be purged and cleansed. David promised to teach transgressors the way of the Lord.
Cain lacked the broken and contrite heart David mentions having in Psalm 51:17, though. Instead, he complains about the punishment. Whereas David humbly accepted the death of that child he had with Bathsheba, and the family problems later, as a just punishment, Cain tells the Lord that the punishment he would face was not going to work.
The most shocking part is that the part Cain complains most about - being a fugitive and vagabond - should have naturally occurred to him. This shows the lack of rationality not only in the murder, but the murderer’s thought patterns. One has to wonder just what Cain was thinking. Did he really have so much false pride that he thought others would naturally agree with what he’d done? Did he think nobody would care? Of course, he would be hunted down. He was the brother of the others who were born and/or would be born. But, he had also killed their brother.
This totally delusional thought process shows just how far mankind had fallen in just a few short years. They had gone from a perfect world, where they knew no sin, to these uncaring, despicable depths. Sin had truly spread throughout the entire world. The moral depravity would grow worse, sadly, till the mind of man was on evil continually. (Gen. 6:5)
Cain lacked the broken and contrite heart David mentions having in Psalm 51:17, though. Instead, he complains about the punishment. Whereas David humbly accepted the death of that child he had with Bathsheba, and the family problems later, as a just punishment, Cain tells the Lord that the punishment he would face was not going to work.
The most shocking part is that the part Cain complains most about - being a fugitive and vagabond - should have naturally occurred to him. This shows the lack of rationality not only in the murder, but the murderer’s thought patterns. One has to wonder just what Cain was thinking. Did he really have so much false pride that he thought others would naturally agree with what he’d done? Did he think nobody would care? Of course, he would be hunted down. He was the brother of the others who were born and/or would be born. But, he had also killed their brother.
This totally delusional thought process shows just how far mankind had fallen in just a few short years. They had gone from a perfect world, where they knew no sin, to these uncaring, despicable depths. Sin had truly spread throughout the entire world. The moral depravity would grow worse, sadly, till the mind of man was on evil continually. (Gen. 6:5)
Gen. 4:12
Adam toiled in sweat, as we read in Genesis 3, but he still ate of the field. However, God said Cain wouldn’t receive food grown to the extent Adam did. This is important for two reasons.
First, God punished Cain by removing his livelihood. It’s a logical consequence that often comes today, too, though not everyone receives the same, because God’s mercy reaches everyone. Justice sometimes isn’t served till eternity, either, because this world isn’t perfect. God gives people freedom so they won’t be mindless robots.
More importantly, people need food to survive. Cain would have to rely on someone else. Cain’s problem was that he relied on his own means to reach God. Now, Cain would need to learn to rely on others just to survive. The end result was that he would hopefully learn to rely on God. The Lord hoped that this would teach him a need to rely on the Lord for everything.
God also shows that He knows what this will mean. First, Cain would be a fugitive. This is further evidence that there were others on the Earth at this time, as it is doubtful He only refers to his parents; though they clearly suffered greatly, too. One son was a murderer, and another son had been killed! Everyone would learn what had happened to their brother Abel. And, they would hate Cain for it. He might find someone willing to care, but in general, he would fear reprisal. Therefore, he would be a vagabond, wandering from place to place.
These, too, were supposed to teach Cain to rely on the Lord. Adam and Eve had the entire Earth all to themselves at first, so they saw how insignificant they were, and how much they needed to rely on God. Now, Cain found himself in a similar situation. He would have to fend for himself, and he would hopefully turn to God for help. Sadly, there is no evidence Cain ever turned to the Lord.
First, God punished Cain by removing his livelihood. It’s a logical consequence that often comes today, too, though not everyone receives the same, because God’s mercy reaches everyone. Justice sometimes isn’t served till eternity, either, because this world isn’t perfect. God gives people freedom so they won’t be mindless robots.
More importantly, people need food to survive. Cain would have to rely on someone else. Cain’s problem was that he relied on his own means to reach God. Now, Cain would need to learn to rely on others just to survive. The end result was that he would hopefully learn to rely on God. The Lord hoped that this would teach him a need to rely on the Lord for everything.
God also shows that He knows what this will mean. First, Cain would be a fugitive. This is further evidence that there were others on the Earth at this time, as it is doubtful He only refers to his parents; though they clearly suffered greatly, too. One son was a murderer, and another son had been killed! Everyone would learn what had happened to their brother Abel. And, they would hate Cain for it. He might find someone willing to care, but in general, he would fear reprisal. Therefore, he would be a vagabond, wandering from place to place.
These, too, were supposed to teach Cain to rely on the Lord. Adam and Eve had the entire Earth all to themselves at first, so they saw how insignificant they were, and how much they needed to rely on God. Now, Cain found himself in a similar situation. He would have to fend for himself, and he would hopefully turn to God for help. Sadly, there is no evidence Cain ever turned to the Lord.
Gen. 4:11
The Lord continues with His marvelously picturesque language here. His ability to turn a phrase, to describe things in such a meaningful way, is incredible. He made language, and knows all the possible ways to use it. This is just one of those things that people can’t begin to grasp. The human authors God used were often very bright themselves - though not always. People were shocked at the mighty, powerful words which simple fishermen like Peter and John used in Acts, for instance. God can speak through anyone with words that move, if they totally trust Him to, for the word of God is powerful, sharper than any twoedged sword. (Heb. 4:12)
He uses such language here, when He says Cain is “cursed from the Earth.” The Earth had already been cursed, when sin entered into it. Death had come by that sin, as well. The curse of evil and suffering was so complete, that all of Creation groaned in agony. (Rom. 8:22) It continues to do so, and will till evil is purged from this world.
So, the Earth was quite separate from the perfection with which God made it. And yet, Cain was to be cursed from even that!
A picture of grace can be missed if we’re not careful, though. The Earth is said to have received the blood of Abel. When one receives Christ’s redemptive work by simple faith, that person believes that the perfect blood of Jesus Christ can wash away their past, present, and future sin. The Earth had ‘received” the blood of Abel, in the same way that we would one day be freed from the curse of sin by the blood that Christ shed on the cross.
Of course, nobody can get saved for us. We must each receive Christ on our own, once we reach the age of accountability. Even before, it is only Christ’s finished work on the cross which allows one to get to Heaven. Remember, He doesn’t want anyone to be able to boast of anything to get there. That includes being old enough.
Instead, God is saying that Abel is a type of Christ. His life featured something that would later be done by Jesus Christ Himself. Abel wasn’t killed because he did something wrong. He was killed for following the Lord. Abel’s death didn’t remove the curse from the earth. However, it was one of many little pieces of the puzzle that the disciples finally understood, after Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.
Cain was cursed from the Earth. Those who reject Christ can’t be part of Him. They are separated because they have not allowed the blood of Jesus Christ to wash away their sins. However, those who crucified Jesus were offered a second chance, such as on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) Cain could still have been forgiven, too, if he’d simply repented. Sadly, there’s no record that he ever did. He appears to have simply gone further away from God’s perfect love.
He uses such language here, when He says Cain is “cursed from the Earth.” The Earth had already been cursed, when sin entered into it. Death had come by that sin, as well. The curse of evil and suffering was so complete, that all of Creation groaned in agony. (Rom. 8:22) It continues to do so, and will till evil is purged from this world.
So, the Earth was quite separate from the perfection with which God made it. And yet, Cain was to be cursed from even that!
A picture of grace can be missed if we’re not careful, though. The Earth is said to have received the blood of Abel. When one receives Christ’s redemptive work by simple faith, that person believes that the perfect blood of Jesus Christ can wash away their past, present, and future sin. The Earth had ‘received” the blood of Abel, in the same way that we would one day be freed from the curse of sin by the blood that Christ shed on the cross.
Of course, nobody can get saved for us. We must each receive Christ on our own, once we reach the age of accountability. Even before, it is only Christ’s finished work on the cross which allows one to get to Heaven. Remember, He doesn’t want anyone to be able to boast of anything to get there. That includes being old enough.
Instead, God is saying that Abel is a type of Christ. His life featured something that would later be done by Jesus Christ Himself. Abel wasn’t killed because he did something wrong. He was killed for following the Lord. Abel’s death didn’t remove the curse from the earth. However, it was one of many little pieces of the puzzle that the disciples finally understood, after Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.
Cain was cursed from the Earth. Those who reject Christ can’t be part of Him. They are separated because they have not allowed the blood of Jesus Christ to wash away their sins. However, those who crucified Jesus were offered a second chance, such as on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) Cain could still have been forgiven, too, if he’d simply repented. Sadly, there’s no record that he ever did. He appears to have simply gone further away from God’s perfect love.
Gen. 4:10
God knows that Cain understands the proper relationship between brothers. So, He ignores the question in the previous verse. He asks “What hast thou done?” He knows what Cain did. But, the notion of taking another human’s life was such an awful thing, God wanted Cain to realize that this was something far worse, as far as consequences, than most sins. While all sin keeps us away from God, the notion of taking another human’s life is much more heinous than most, because this is a person who is in the very image of God.
This is why God speaks of “the voice of Abel’s blood” crying out from the ground. The same picturesque language is used in Revelation 6:9-10, to show the cries of many martyrs, who have suffered terribly throughout history.
People all the way back to Abel have suffered for the testimony of God’s grace and mercy. Countless numbers of people have suffered at the hands of those who would rather get to Heaven by their own good works, when in fact nobody can work their way to Heaven. It is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:9) God demands an even playing field, for our benefit. He doesn’t want it to be any harder for one person than for another to receive His gift of salvation. It is free to all who receive. It may take a long time. But, God will repay all who have suffered for their faith in him, through His perfect judgment.
This is why God speaks of “the voice of Abel’s blood” crying out from the ground. The same picturesque language is used in Revelation 6:9-10, to show the cries of many martyrs, who have suffered terribly throughout history.
People all the way back to Abel have suffered for the testimony of God’s grace and mercy. Countless numbers of people have suffered at the hands of those who would rather get to Heaven by their own good works, when in fact nobody can work their way to Heaven. It is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:9) God demands an even playing field, for our benefit. He doesn’t want it to be any harder for one person than for another to receive His gift of salvation. It is free to all who receive. It may take a long time. But, God will repay all who have suffered for their faith in him, through His perfect judgment.
Gen. 4:9
Since they didn’t have the Word of God written yet, God chose to speak to people in these times with an audible voice. He speaks to Cain the same way He spoke to Adam and Eve. However, Cain was out inthe open. He wasn’t hiding from God, because he was apparently not ashamed of his sin, in the way Adam and Eve were. He had grown accustomed to sin.
This shows part of the horrible growth of sin, in such a short amount of time. Cain’s actions, to me, are unimaginable. Perhaps it is my being saved. Perhaps it is God’s grace in giving me a nature that was so kind and loving, even before I realized I was a sinner in need of the Savior. But, I could never imagine even thinking of such a horrible thing. Oh, I have a sin nature, like we all do. That nature shows in different ways in different people. It’s just like an athletic person may show that by being skilled in a team sport (like baseball) or an individual one (like swimming). Two people may even have very different skill sets within the same sport.
However, sin had grown so fast since the Fall, that not only did the worst parts of Cain’s nature come out, he didn’t seem to care!
We see that in this verse. God asks where Abel is. He adds the words “thy brother” onto it. This speaks to Cain’s heart even more than just asking, “Where is Abel?” The words should remind Cain that this was his brother. God emphasized that this was someone Cain was supposed to have a great family love for, the kind of love where you care for them no matter what.
Cain answers God’s loving attempt to get him to confess in a different way from Adam and Eve. His parents had each started blaming someone else. They felt shame enough to try to hide. Cain, on the other hand, had nobody to blame but himself. So, he said “I know not.” This, alone, was a bold-faced lie, but what he adds makes it worse. Cain asks, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Innocent, literal questions do come, of course, when someone has little or no understanding. We must lovingly answer them with calmness and compassion, and never react harshly. That is how God teaches us. We are to go to Him for wisdom, and he will give liberally and never complain. (James 1:5) He never expects us to know things we can’t possibly know. Of course, sometimes, the answer is to step out in faith. Mary, for instance, didn’t know how she - a virgin - was going to give birth. But, she knew to have faith, and asked one of those innocent questions. God gave her the information she needed, and she responded with faith, just as we should. (Luke 1:26-38) There are numerous other examples throughout Scripture.
However, Cain was not like that. He knew what a brother was, and how to treat him. Cain knew he was supposed to love his brother as an equal. A “keeper” was someone who tended lesser animals, just as Abel kept sheep. On the one hand, this could be a sarcastic comment. It may have been meant to degrade his brother. Or, it could have been outright evasion by trying to throw God off the path. Either way, it shows just how extreme a problem sin had become.
This shows part of the horrible growth of sin, in such a short amount of time. Cain’s actions, to me, are unimaginable. Perhaps it is my being saved. Perhaps it is God’s grace in giving me a nature that was so kind and loving, even before I realized I was a sinner in need of the Savior. But, I could never imagine even thinking of such a horrible thing. Oh, I have a sin nature, like we all do. That nature shows in different ways in different people. It’s just like an athletic person may show that by being skilled in a team sport (like baseball) or an individual one (like swimming). Two people may even have very different skill sets within the same sport.
However, sin had grown so fast since the Fall, that not only did the worst parts of Cain’s nature come out, he didn’t seem to care!
We see that in this verse. God asks where Abel is. He adds the words “thy brother” onto it. This speaks to Cain’s heart even more than just asking, “Where is Abel?” The words should remind Cain that this was his brother. God emphasized that this was someone Cain was supposed to have a great family love for, the kind of love where you care for them no matter what.
Cain answers God’s loving attempt to get him to confess in a different way from Adam and Eve. His parents had each started blaming someone else. They felt shame enough to try to hide. Cain, on the other hand, had nobody to blame but himself. So, he said “I know not.” This, alone, was a bold-faced lie, but what he adds makes it worse. Cain asks, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Innocent, literal questions do come, of course, when someone has little or no understanding. We must lovingly answer them with calmness and compassion, and never react harshly. That is how God teaches us. We are to go to Him for wisdom, and he will give liberally and never complain. (James 1:5) He never expects us to know things we can’t possibly know. Of course, sometimes, the answer is to step out in faith. Mary, for instance, didn’t know how she - a virgin - was going to give birth. But, she knew to have faith, and asked one of those innocent questions. God gave her the information she needed, and she responded with faith, just as we should. (Luke 1:26-38) There are numerous other examples throughout Scripture.
However, Cain was not like that. He knew what a brother was, and how to treat him. Cain knew he was supposed to love his brother as an equal. A “keeper” was someone who tended lesser animals, just as Abel kept sheep. On the one hand, this could be a sarcastic comment. It may have been meant to degrade his brother. Or, it could have been outright evasion by trying to throw God off the path. Either way, it shows just how extreme a problem sin had become.
Gen. 4:8
Cain talked with Abel after this meeting with God. The exact words weren’t deemed important enough to record. Cain’s reaction - killing his brother – is what’s important. Ultimately, Cain killed Abel because of Abel’s testimony of grace - Cain’s works were evil, while his brother’s were righteous. (1 John 3:12) There was also the sin of jealousy.
Covetousness - wanting what others have - is a typical human sin. It can spiral into envy, which can then turn into jealousy. (While they are sometimes used as synonyms, I see them as different. When one is envious, one wishes one had what others have. But, they don’t necessarily want those who do have more to suffer. Jealousy, to me, only happens when the person who doesn’t have something hates the one who does.)
That slippery slope was part of what led to the first murder. Some time passed - again, we don’t know how much. Cain allowed his anger to grow. This is why it’s so important that we never let the sun go down on our wrath. (Eph. 4:26) We, as humans, are going to be angry. But, we must never let anger cause us to sin. We must solve problems in a Godly manner. Cain’s killing of Abel may have come in a moment of passion. Or, it may have been premeditated. Whether or not he planned it out, though, he committed a horrible sin. God knew exactly what would happen if Cain didn’t turn to Him for cleansing from sin, instead of relying on his own works.
Covetousness - wanting what others have - is a typical human sin. It can spiral into envy, which can then turn into jealousy. (While they are sometimes used as synonyms, I see them as different. When one is envious, one wishes one had what others have. But, they don’t necessarily want those who do have more to suffer. Jealousy, to me, only happens when the person who doesn’t have something hates the one who does.)
That slippery slope was part of what led to the first murder. Some time passed - again, we don’t know how much. Cain allowed his anger to grow. This is why it’s so important that we never let the sun go down on our wrath. (Eph. 4:26) We, as humans, are going to be angry. But, we must never let anger cause us to sin. We must solve problems in a Godly manner. Cain’s killing of Abel may have come in a moment of passion. Or, it may have been premeditated. Whether or not he planned it out, though, he committed a horrible sin. God knew exactly what would happen if Cain didn’t turn to Him for cleansing from sin, instead of relying on his own works.
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