A Study in Genesis

[Genesis Review]

In the Genesis series we have learned......God through Moses described the first three days of creation

We have learned that the word ‘Yom’ is the Hebrew word for day used in Genesis and it means a 24 hour day

We have also learned that the fight between creation and evolution is actually a fight between God’s word and man’s word

The book of Genesis clearly teaches that the one true God is sovereign over all that exists

Darwin did not invent evolution....he just made the idea popular for a pagan culture desperate for a life without God

We learned that there are three heavens mentioned throughout scripture

We learned that on the third day God separated the waters from dry ground and brought forth vegetation by His spoken word

We learned that the Platypus was created, by God, to look like it does…it is not a mistake or an evidence of macro-evolution. It has actually degenerated from it’s ancestral platypus’ according to the fossil records found both in South America and Australia

We learned that the earth is roughly 6,000 years old and we get this figure from the genealogy sections found within the Bible

Day 4 gives the account of God creating the lights within our day and night sky

On day 5 God spoke into existence the birds of the air and the animals of the water…these included the dinosaurs of the air and water.

On day 6, part 1, we learned about radiometric dating and how it does not prove that the earth is millions or even billions of years old and I also explained the existence of large creatures mentioned in the bible and how the term for these creatures...dinosaur... did not exist until the 1800’s.

On Day 6, part 2, we learned that dominion does not mean that humans have an abusive power over creation

On Day 7 & Beyond, we learned that God rested on the seventh day calling it the Sabbath. We learned that the Sabbath was created for man not man for the Sabbath…in other words…the day benefits us, we don’t benefit the day.

We also learned that Adam and Eve’s sin brought death into the world

As we continue our study in Genesis we now come to the world’s first act of hatred.

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

Cain and Abel both brought the fruit of their labor, but God did not respect Cain because he had an improper heart attitude

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

In God states, For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

In other words…God values your relationship with Him more than He desires your service for Him

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

That word steadfast means resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering

God desires our unwavering love for Him

Get off of the roller coaster and stand on steady, firm ground

Verse 7 mentions that sin lies at the door

This personifies sin as a demon crouching like a crazed animal at Cain’s doorstep

says, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

God gives Cain the opportunity to confess, but Cain did not have a thought of repentance…only revenge

A mark was placed on Cain that is unidentifiable today because the descendants of Cain died in Noah’s flood

The mark was not a stigma, but rather a protection for Cain and shows God’s incredible love for even impenitent sinners

So here we have the first murder within the world

It was caused out of jealousy and deceit

There is death and suffering in the world because of sin

God made a very good and perfect creation, however, man wrecked this world through sin

states, Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned

Cain leaves Eden and wanders to the East

Verse 17 tells us that he knew His wife and she conceived

Wait a minute.......where did Cain get his wife?

In the beginning God created Adam and Eve perfect in every way which means that their descendants would have undamaged DNA

With undamaged DNA…close relatives such as brothers and sisters could marry and have children with no birth defects

It wasn’t until the time of Moses, about 2,500 years after creation....in ....that God prohibited marrying a close relative

Why was marrying a close relative originally okay and later on forbidden by God?

One reason is because humans have thousands of years of accumulated mutations, damaged genetic information, which are within our DNA

If someone marries a close relative, it is probable both of them will have common mutations which will likely end up as a birth defect in their offspring

Who was Cain’s wife?...........his sister

With Able dead and Cain unrepentant and sent away…God blesses Adam and Eve with a son named Seth

Through Seth’s bloodline would come the messiah

So God made a way when there seem to be a dead end and no way

He will do the same in our lives if we will allow Him

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.