The Tale of Two Brothers

Our Sacrifice Must Be from Our Best Actions & Best Attitude (Gen 4:1-5)

Able (Hevel: Vapor) - The Keeper of Sheep

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Faith (Hebrews 11:4) + Righteousness (Matthew 23:35) = Acceptable & Excellent (Hebrews 11:4)

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This verse is followed by a charge to use our gifts to bestow grace, show faith, teach, encourage, contribute generously, lead, be merciful, and be cheerful (Romans 12:3-8)

Then Paul writes about the Marks of a True Christian

Romans 12:9–21 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Even though Able’s life was a short as a vapor of wind, we see these qualities in his sacrifice to God. He knew that our approach towards God must be with good actions and attitude

Action - Able’s sacrifice was of the best (the firstborn of his flock - Genesis 4:4)

Attitude - It was given in faith & righteousness (Hebrews 11:4 & Matthew 23:35)

Cain (Smith: Worker) - The Worker of the Ground

Cain’s sacrifice was not regarded (accepted) by God (Genesis 4:4)

Interesting:

Cain was a worker of the ground, the same responsibility as Adam (Genesis 1:28-30; 2:15-17)

He, like Adam, did not follow his God-given purpose. Because of his sin, he received the 3rd curse given in Scripture. It was the same curse given to Adam magnified (Genesis 3:17-19)

Cain was self-centered, minimized God’s command and response, blamed others, and his the anger in the following verses shows how he assumed the worst. He allowed his cognitive distortions and negative emotions to lead him.

When we let emotions lead us we will fall short of God’s glory. Instead, we must lead our emotions.

APPLICATION: Is our worship and sacrifice to God given from our best and in faith & righteousness?

Our Actions Must Be Right (Genesis 4:5-8)

Anger will Burn Us

Cain’s face fell, or turned red, or he became dejected because his anger burned within him.

Jesus tells us what will happen when we allow our anger to control us.

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Much like our emotions, we must learn to control our anger instead of allowing our anger to control us.

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

It is okay to get angry, but we need to resolve our anger. This means we let go and let God handle it. Whether we have done wrong or been wronged, we let God guide us and handle any revenge/justice just as we are told in Romans 12:19-21.

Cain becomes angry and God asks why he is angry. He says, we are responsible for our actions and attitude (Genesis 4:5-7a)

We have no need to be angry over our own actions. This is the first lesson in the Bible of learning to forgive ourselves and correct our actions and attitudes. However, Cain fails this test.

Sin will Separate Us

God tells Cain the dangers that surround his actions and attitude. Sin is crouching at the door just like a beast.

Ironically, in Peter’s discussion toward shepherds (remember Able was a shepherd) he tells them and all people to:

1 Peter 5:1–11 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In our work follow the charge to be wiling to obey God, be a good example, be humble, cast our worries on him just as Peter was told to cast the net to the other side of the sea with Jesus’ provision waiting, be sober-minded, watchful, resisting the beast, being firm in faith, expecting suffering, and persevering so that we receive restoring, strength, and are established by God.

Just as we said of emotions and anger, we must rule over sin, have control of our temptations. James 1:14 says we are tempted by our own desire. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says God provides a way of escape from every temptation. Look for the door that leads to salvation and not the door where sin crouches waiting to ensnare us. Rule over sin!

Interesting:

- This is the same language give to Eve regarding her relationship with her husband

Genesis 3:16 ESV

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

Cain sinned and his punishment was to be a wanderer in a land of wandering (Nod). His greatest punishment though was separation from God. He went back to the void and chaos of the wasteland just as we saw before the creation of the world.

APPLICATION: Are Our Actions leading us to Control our Anger, Rule over Sin, Submit to God, and Give our Best?

Our Attitude Must Be Right (Genesis 4:8-16)

Cain killed his brother after allowing his anger to burn within him and opening the door to sin. His anger burned him then and he walked through the door of sin leading to destruction and separation from God.

Lies will get us Caught

Immediately following murdering his brother, God asked where his brother was. Cain became defensive and lied (I do not know)

Interesting:

This is very reminiscent of Adam and Eve hiding from God in the garden (Genesis 3)

Notice how personal God makes this crime. He refers to Able as “Cain’s brother” 6 times.

The lie led Cain deeper into anger and resentment. Lies will get us caught up in a web leading to death and destruction.

Genesis 3:4 ESV

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

Proverbs 12:22 ESV

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

John 8:44 ESV

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Cain is following in the wrong “fathers” footsteps; lying just as Satan the serpent did.

Interesting:

Notice how Jesus connects lying and murdering just as it is connected here in Genesis 4

Before this passage Jesus says in v. 31

John 8:31 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

We are told not to lie, but to love the truth and build up

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Colossians 3:9 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Murderers and Liars are included in the list of the cowardly who will face the second death

Revelation 21:8 ESV

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Our attitude must be one where we stick to the truth no matter what. One might wonder if Cain would have told the truth how his punishment may have been different. Instead, he falls deeper into sin and lies about murdering his brother.

We are our Brother’s Keeper

Cain then asks a question that has challenged brethren throughout time. Am I my brother’s keeper?

Interesting:

Remember Able was a “keeper” of sheep

Now, Cain asks about being his “keeper”

This play on words and God’s response answers the question for us. WE ARE OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER

Both words carry the same connotation:

We are to be responsible with our relationships to guard, protect, feed, and care for one another. We are to watch for, warn, show mercy to, and care for others.

Jesus shows us this level of love with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:25–37 ESV

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Jesus gives the greatest and second greatest command. And with it he tells this parable that says all people are our neighbors and to be cared for/kept.

If we do not follow this charge we will end up like Cain, separated from God as a wanderer in the wicked world.

APPLICATION: Are our Attitudes leading us to Stick to the Truth and Be Keepers of our Brethren?

Let Love Be Our Guide

We do this through having love for one another.

Jesus says our love for one another should be like his, and this will show we are his followers.

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Consider the following passages:

Romans 12:16 ESV

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Galatians 5:14 ESV

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ephesians 5:19 ESV

addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Hebrews 13:1 ESV

Let brotherly love continue.

APPLICATION: Are we allowing Love to be our Guide?

Conclusion: Our Actions & Attitudes, Our Hands & Hearts, Must Be Faithful, Righteous, & Loving

What mark will we receive from God? The mark of Cain which bears the weight of his sin or the mark of Almighty God which bears the promise of salvation?