The Hazards in Hate (Genesis 4:1-16)

The Character of Cain

Cain means “to create.” (made himself a god)

Cain means “to acquire.” (to come into possession or control as one’s own)

Cain was religious (vs.3), rebellious (vs.5a), and resentful (vs.5b).

The Confrontation of Cain

The HATRED in the Confrontation

There was hate because of Cain’s rejection (5a).

Our attitude towards man will be influenced and reflected by our attitude towards God.

Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”

There was hate because of Cain being riled up (5b)(wroth)

Wroth - intensely angry

Cain’s heart was so full of hate that it hinders his thinking. There is no spirit of self-examination, prayer to God for light, or pardon.

There was hate because Cain started to rot (countenance fell)(5-6)

Countenance fell = to collapse, ruin, or rotting. He was literally dying on the inside because of his hatred toward his brother. HATRED WILL HINDER YOUR LIFE.

The HIDING in the Confrontation (8)

When they were in the field.

Cain hid his spite against Abel (Abel must’ve felt comfortable around him.)

Cain hid his sin (murder). Cain waited until no one else was around to start the slaying. (SIN LOVES DARKNESS)

The HAUGHTINESS in the Confrontation (8)

Cain rose UP against Abel

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, And before honour is humility.”

Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

The HORROR in the Confrontation (8)

Cain slew = implying of ruthless violence, slaughter, to destroy

1 John 3:9–16 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

The Condemning of Cain (10-12)

The CONFORMATION in the Condemning

Brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

There was clear evidence that sin had been committed. Be sure that your sin will find you out! Adam and Eve didn’t know about it, but God sure knew about it!

You can fake your feelings to the pastor and the church, but you can’t fake your feelings to God.

The CURSE in the Condemning

Sin will always bring punishment (both to the saved and to the lost)

The CONSEQUENCES in the Condemning

NO POWER (12a) he could no longer fulfill his job as the ground would not bring it’s fruit. A Christian will not be about to have power with God and fulfill their calling if they have hatred toward other’s.

NO PLACE (12b)

Fugitive = to wander or roam, one who has fallen away

Vagabond = aimless and homeless

Cain had nothing to go for and nowhere to go to.

Dwelt in Nod (my wandering) (16)

NO PARDON (13)

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 4

Cain complains not of his sin, but of his punishment. It shows great hardness of heart to be more concerned about our sufferings than our sins.

Cain would rather hold that grudge than ask forgiveness from God.

A spiteful heart leads to a selfish heart. Cain was not concerned about others, but only himself.

How many times has Christ forgave us when we weren’t worthy to be forgiven?

NO PRESENCE (16)

Cain went out from the presence of God. God didn’t leave the presence of Cain.

When a child of God hates others, they will be out of the presence of God.

1 John 1:5–7 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

God has no communion with those who are cruel.

We have no harmony with God when we are hateful to others.

There’s no way to show benevolence when you’re bitter.

NO PASSION

Matthew 5:43–48 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, (Leviticus 19:18 “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” ) and hate thine enemy (Jews assumed that if you love one, then you hate the other). But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you (SAY GOOD), do good to them that hate you (SERVE GLADLY), and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (SUPPLICATIONS TO GOD) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

Romans 12:17–21 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Don’t let evil overtake (victory) you. You show victory over evil by doing good.

IF SOMEONE EVER DOES YOU WRONG, YOU NEVER DO ANOTHER WRONG TO MAKE IT RIGHT.