The Consuming Nature of Against

Restored Relationship

Genesis 4:1 (NIV)

Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.”

Eve’s relationship with the Lord is restored and dependence is once again fostered. So often, when we find ourselves in rebellion against the Lord, our pride, guilt, and shame keeps us from returning to the Father.

God desires restored relationship with His creation.

Worship

Genesis 4:2–5 (NIV)

Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

The rejection comes because of the intent of the giver and not the gift itself. Both grain and blood offering was honorable and acceptable in the Mosaic Covenant and the field was the charge given to Adam by he Lord.

Notice that the description of Cain and Abel’s offerings differ. Cain brings some of his fruits while Abel brought some of the firstborn and the fat portions of that first born. This shows dependence upon the Lord.

Worship does not take place because of a specific action but rather because of a specific posture.

Consuming Sin

Genesis 4:6–12 (NIV)

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

Take notice that the Lord is not just concerned with the actions of Cain like a god desiring to be appeased would respond. God cares about Cain and his emotions. He seeks to gently guide and direct Cain.

Cain desired God’s blessing and approval. Instead of addressing his relationship with God, Cain chases His stuff and removes all obstacles that stand in the way.

James 1:15 (NIV)

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

When the desires of our heart are not surrendered over to the Lord to provide, they consume our every breath until they are met. This gives brith to sin and as we saw here, death, death to both Abel and Cain.