Cain and Abel

First murder

First casualty of Spiritual warfare Genesis 3:15.

Whats sad: Not a clash of 2 armies… it’s brother against brother, its in the family.

First struggle between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent

2 Sons (4:1-2)

“relation” equals “know”

“the help of the Lord” is added!

Eve would still have in her mind this deliverer that would come from her seed!

Foreshadowing of Christ

But to her he was the solution… but Cain was the exact opposite

Name Abel means: Vapor/Breath… foreshadowing

Both sons grew up, were taught, but went 2 separate directions

2 Offerings (4:3-4)

Implied that theres an appointed time for them to come worship Him

Just as we are appointed to come on the Lords day to worship God…

And all worshippers must bring a sacrifice! WE are the living sacrifice upon the alter

And they must be righteous!

Blood must be shed

The shedding of blood represents one person dying in the place of another… and the wages of sin is death

Christ

Cain brought an offering, and chose to worship God in his own way!

His offering represents the worship of every false believer who thinks they can come worship how they want

Jude 11 “11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”

Psalm 1:6 “6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”

Matthew 7:13 “13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.”

You can’t come up with your own way to worship

Abel on the other hand brought the firstlings of his flock. Sheets goats, and gave it as a intermediary between he and God

Hebrews 9:22 “22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

We worship under the blood of Christ.

We don’t trust the fruit of our own labors, goodness, morality… but we trust in the only lamb that can take away sin

2 Responses (4:5)

Cain

It didn’t matter how sincere Cain was, he was sincerely wrong!

It was unpleasing/sinful/offensive wrong!

Look at how Cain responded!

Did he fall on his knees!? Beg for forgiveness?! CRY out to God or beg for mercy!?

He became VERY angry… exceedingly. He was in a rage, he became HOT!

“How DARE God not accept my offering! Im just as good as Abel”

We should be of the same mind as God

Love what He loves

Hate what He hates

2 Questions (4:6)

Why does he ask this question?? REPENTANCE!!

When a doctor pokes and prods, “does this hurt does this hurt.”

God is probing the heart of Cain so that he would obey and submit to him!

2nd question… Cain doesn’t wanna be told how to live.

God could've condemned him right then!! but he doesn’t

How good of God to do this with us!

Psalm 139. Show me if there is any hurtful way in me

2 Paths (4:7)

If you will come to me under the blood of a sacrifice, the way I prescribed, and submit and repent!… you will be filled with joy

Obedience leads to joy / peace! Because we are now at peace with God.

But if you don’t repent… sin is crouching as a lion to devour its prey

2 Sins (8-9)

Sin is the master over Cain

Hebrews 12:24 “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”