Genesis 4

Genesis 4:1–12 “1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” 2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.

Cain brought his offering in his own strength

4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering;

Abel gave out of faith and the Lord noticed it, Abel gave his best/the best to the Lord

5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

what is our response to when things don’t go our way? when we miss the mark, are not accepted? Called out for not doing something the correct way?

By faith Abel offered up a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (Hebrews 11:4 “4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” ). Cain’s offering was the effort of dead religion, while Abel’s offering was made in faith, in a desire to worship God in spirit and in truth.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Cain took his eyes off the Lord, his posture/face was down, fallen…

7 “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

Faith- righteous…. respond God gave him direction on how to respond….. Cain let sin master him.

God dealt with Cain in terms of loving confrontation instead of automatic affirmation. God made it clear that Cain would be accepted if he did well.

i. Of course, God knew the answers to the questions He asked, but He wanted Cain to know and to resist the pull toward violence and anger within.

b. If you do not do well, sin lies at the door: God warned Cain about the destructive power of sin. Cain could resist sin and find blessing, or he could give in to sin and be devoured.

c. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it: We prevent sin from ruling over us by allowing God to master us first. Without God as our master, we will be slaves to sin.

Romans 6:12 “12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,”

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary A. Creation, Marriage, and the Fall into Sin (1:1–5:32)

4:5–7 Because God rejected his offering, Cain became both furious and despondent (4:5)—mad and sad at the same time. That makes for a dangerous combination. God gave Cain an opportunity to break out of his emotional funk, reminding him that if he did what is right, he would be accepted (4:7). The cure for emotional problems is found in spiritual realignment.

“8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Jealous anger? First martyr? Killed for his faith- Abel…. Cain first murderer…

Consequences of sin and the brokenness of this world

1 John 3:12 “12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”

Psalm 51:16–17 “16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.” “11 “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 “When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”

Chris CiufoChris Ciufo

1:29 PM

Genesis 4:1-8; Romans 6:12; Hebrews 11:43 WARNINGS Don’t worship/work in your own strength 2 Don’t take your eyes off the Lord 3 Don’t ignore the warnings of God

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is too great to bear! 14 “Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”