Columbiana Jail 02/27/2026
Notes
Transcript
Genesis 4:1-10
Genesis 4:1-10
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Now we begin the story of human history apart from the perfection of the Garden of Eden. We will see the first generation born into sin come to the earth. Adam and Eve slept together and conceived. They named their first born son Cain. Eve’s statement of gratitude reflects her continued faith in God’s goodness and provision. Even being outside the Garden of Eden, Eve understood she owed her life and every good gift to God.
In a way, this is amazing when you think about it. Eve undoubtedly experienced great pain in bearing and giving birth to Cain. She would have expected that after hearing God’s curse for her.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Instead of resenting God for that, she gives Him credit for helping her through the process of receiving this gift of a son.
The name Cain is Qa’yin in Hebrew. This is closely related to the word qanah, meaning “obtained” or “gotten”. Cain’s birth is a happy occasion and the fulfillment of God’s intent to keep the human race alive.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Now we are going to get into some interesting points and questions to discuss. After Cain’s birth, Adam and Eve conceived again. Abel, Cain’s brother is born. The story jumps forward in time in this verse, leaving quite a few details unanswered. Now this is quite normal for the book of Genesis, which often describes major portions of history in just a few summary verses.
Here is an interesting question, Do you think Adam and Eve had additional children in the meantime? Ancient genealogies often only mention the “important” offspring, so of speak. So the question remains, do you think that Cain and Abel had other siblings prior to their conflict. In my opinion, I think it is very likely. Although I can not be certain about this, I think the likelihood based on the evidence presented in the Bible makes this assumption very possible.
Here is a major point in favor of this opinion. Cain has a fear of other people.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
and the mention of his wife.
17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
Both of these verses imply that there were other people alive at the time of his conflict with Abel, meaning other children of Adam and Eve.
This being stated, there is nothing in the text or the story, that shows that there were other siblings, nor does it demand that there were not. This is simply an open point on which Scripture does not provide the details clearly.
This verse also reveals the brother’s professions. Abel keeps sheep and Cain farms, working thge ground for crops. Both were respectable and necessary professions among the second generation of humans.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
This verse begins a sentence concluded in verse 4. The first thing we notice is that Cain has a relationship , of some kind, with God. He brings God an offering, the product of his work as a farmer of the fruit of the ground. Even living under the curse and apart from the garden, this second generation of humans continue to see themselves in relationship with God and responsible to Him.
So let me ask you guys a question. What does this tell you about God and mankind’s relationship? It tells me that God did not completely abandon mankind, and mankind did not turn their backs on God. While the fall ruined our relationship with God, it did not erase it.
So again, we are left with some interesting questions. This part of the Bible has very few details on this offering. What was Cain’s specific offering? Did God ask for this offering? What was Cain’s attitude when he brought this gift? We honestly do not know the details concerning this to properly answer these questions, so what is your opinion?
What we do know is God is not pleased , based on verse 5, with what Cain brings.
Look at this.
12 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.
This verse suggests to me that Cain was evil, and this had something to do with this incident.
Perhaps Cain was only going through the motions, while Abel was sincere and humbly honoring God. The fact that Cain responds the God’s loving correction in verse 7, honestly makes this a likely interpretation. Rather than changing his actions to make things right, Cain will respond violence and anger over God’s rejection.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Cain and Abel both have a relationship with God. Afterall God made their parents with His own hands. Both Cain and Abel are bringing offerings to Him. The previous verse tells us that Cain, the farmer, brought crops to the Lord, the fruit of the ground. In this verse, we see Abel, the keeper of sheep, is bringing the fat portions from a firstborn lamb from his flock.
Details are scarce in this part of Scripture , only the most basic information is given. So this brings up a question for us to look at. Do you think that God required some particular form of sacrifice? Do you think He required a sacrifice at certain times or of some quantity? These questions are hard to answer. As far as we know from this text, God may or may not have expressed His will about the kinds of offerings He would accept.
Later, under the Law of Moses, God will require Israel to bring a very similar offerings as part of their worship of Him and to receive atonement for their sin. Those details are not mentioned in this passage, and we have no way of knowing if God gave such a requirement to Cain and Abel.
That being said, I want to look at this for some context.
It seems as Abel’s offering
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
12 That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord’s.
more closely matches the requirements of the future law than Cain’s
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
12 As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the Lord: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.
12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee.
This may explain why the Lord approved Abel’s offering and looked on Abel with favor, above his older brother.
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
The previous verse we discovered that both Cain and Abel had a relationship with God. Both brought God offerings from their respective areas of work. Though as we discovered that the Scripture gives no specific reason why, but God looks with favor on Abel and his offering.
Also without much detail, we find out that God has no regard for Cain and his offering. Unless the brothers had been told to bring animal sacrifices, God’s response seems unfair at first. Later in Genesis, God will be clear in requiring animal sacrifices from His people. So again we have questions we need to discuss. Do you think God was clear with Cain about what He preferred? Was Cain’s offering something less than his “first fruits” in comparison to Abel? In my opinion, I don’t know to be honest.
However it seems more likely that God rejected Cain’s offering because of Cain’s heart and not merely because of the physical offering Cain brought.
Again this is supported by verses such as these...
12 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.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Cain’s angry response definitely reveals a darkened heart. Instead of being teachable, eager to adjust his offering or himself in order to please God, Cain gets mad. His countenance (meaning his facial expression) fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Already we have seen that when God interacts with people, He sometimes asks questions. Obviously, God knows the answers to His questions. Rather, God asks in the same way that a human father might question his child. God appears to engage them in conversation, to prompt them to think about their choices, God wants to hear them express the state of their hearts. These type of questions are an opportunity for a child to be open and honest with their parent.
Here God asks Cain to think about, explain, and express why he feels so angry. God’s question not only seeks Cain’s response, but hints that there is no good reason for Cain to feel this way. Although God’s rejection of Cain and his offering caused Cain’s face to fall, God wants Cain to understand and own the reasons for his anger. However, this is not a necessary reaction. God is willing to accept Cain if Cain chooses a better path.
Think about this, God still calls for His people to express themselves to Him in prayer, even in seasons of rebellion and hurt.
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; And the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses.
13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.
19 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses.
28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
2 Hide not thy face from me In the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: In the day when I call answer me speedily.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, And not despise their prayer.
1 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. 2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. 3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
These are just some examples, however the Psalms model those kind of hard and honest prayers for us.
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
God speaks a wise warning to Cain. Cain will not heed this warning, but it is a warning for us as well. God asks Cain to adjust his understanding of what is good to God’s understanding of goodness. If Cain does well by God’s standard, God will accept him. In other words, there is no reason for Cain to be angry about God’s rejection. The cure for rejection is obedience, this means if Cain does what is right, then God will accept him.
If Cain insists on setting his own standard for what is acceptable, then “sin is lying at the door”. That phrase truly captures the nature of our rebellion against God. Sin desires to own us. Our refusal to let God set the standard for right and wrong in our lives is the fats track for sin.
God acknowledges the reality of human nature. We are locked in a battle with sin’s desire for us (or our desire to sin). God tells Cain that he is responsible to win that battle, to rule over sin. The Hebrew term used here is tashuwqah, this is translated “desire” and mashal, this is translated “rule over”. Despite sin’s “desire” to control him, Cain must “rule over” his temptations and not give in.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
God has warned Cain that his refusal to choose God’s standards would cause him to lose the battle with sin. Cain, however, would not change course. Despite God’s loving warning, Cain chooses to allow sin to win.
Cain talked to his brother, and the two went to the field together. There Cain attacks and kills his brother Abel. This is the first recorded murder in human history. Cain failed to live up to God’s standards and was angry. When God gave Cain a way to be restored, and warned him about the dangerous nature of sin, Cain instead chose to reject God even further. Cain would not be altered from his course of hurt, anger, and envy.
The Apostle John holds Cain out to us as a negative example, calling Cain “the evil one” (1 John 3:12), revealing that he was motivated by jealousy for his righteous brother.
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Following Cain’s murder of his brother Abel, God confronts Cain. As He did with Adam and Eve in the garden, God begins with a question He already knows the answer to. Where is your brother? God is providing Cain with the opportunity for confession. When God gave this option to Adam, he first blamed Eve and then God before he reluctantly confessed to what he had done. This was not ideal, but it at least reflected a willingness to obey God.
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Instead of taking this approach, Cain lies to God and remains defiant. He claims not to know where Abel is. He then asks a question siblings have been quoting to their mothers for generations: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This not only represents dishonesty but disrespect. Cain rejected any responsibility for his murdered brother in a way which it is wrong of God to even ask the question.
In our modern language, Cain is essentially telling God, “Why is Abel my problem?”
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
After Cain denied knowing where Abel was, God reveals that He already knows. Using poetic language, God says He can hear the voice of Abel’s blood crying to Him from the ground where it was spilled.
Here is an interesting question, How do you think Cain attempted to cover up his crime? In my opinion, I can again honestly say I don’t know. Perhaps he buried Abel or he just left him laying somewhere. In any event, beyond God’s own omniscience (This means God is all knowing, possessing absolute , infinite knowledge of all things past, present, future, and even hidden thoughts.), there would have been some physical traces left to connect Abel’s murder to Cain. No part of Cain’s denial will work, either against God or against other men.
This first murder begins to reveal God’s principles of both justice and mercy. Blood spilled in unjust death cries out tpo be avenged, for the wrong to be made right. God will take responsibility for executing that justice , as well as for making a way for some amount of mercy to be shown to the sinner. As with Adam and Eve, God chooses exile and mercy over destruction.
Next week we will continue our study with Genesis 4: 11-18.
