Brotherly Hatred

Background

In the “Generations of the heavens and the earth....” 2:2

The account of the origins of all things

We know that Jewish narration is often not concerned about sequence—don’t get lost if there may be some oddities of timeline

Also, the narrations often concern themselves with only one line of descent—each for one specific purpose

This chapter only accounts for Cain, Able and Seth as sons of Adam

Our ability to accept the validity of Genesis account suffers because of preconceived thoughts.

Need to be content with the Sufficiency of Scripture

…it’s enough to give us what we need to establish the facts of our need for salvation

…it speaks with authority on all matters it addresses

The need for proper hermeneutics

…understanding the Bible according the perspective of its author and original audience

Many potential sermons from this chapter…we choose just this one

Setting Down a few Facts

Much we don’t know

Misc. Q & A

When did this happen? Sometime before Adam’s 130th year; before Seth, 5:3

Where did Cain get his wife?

He had “others sons and daughters” in his 800 years

…Jewish tradition holds 33 sons and 22 daughters

…biology would allow far more

Plenty of folks for Can to find a wife

How fast did population grow? Some estimates up to 30,000 + at the time

Estimates of >>750K at time of Flood

Why is Lamech mentioned—in Cain’s line?

Accounts for development of skills/artistry/metallurgy...

…blessings even on the ungodly line of peoples

All of which would have been in collective memory of those on the Ark

Possibly even tools and instruments to redevelop skills, etc., post flood?

The Seeds of Hatred

God was unhappy with Cain

Not a matter of the sacrifice

Much ink on the insufficiency of a bloodless sacrifice

Really not a great basis for it

We know from Heb. 11.4

Abel’s was a more acceptable sacrifice,

…and the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering

…but for Cain and his offering, He had no regard

It was a matter of God being unhappy with the person who brought the sacrifice…not the sacrifice itself

We see some hints in

1 John 3:12 ESV

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

He gets some more bad press in

Jude 11 ESV

Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Was it brought with a bad attitude? Was he harboring bitterness against someone? Was he trying to buy God’s favor?

Firstborn of the flock for Abel, not necessarily firstfruits of the harvest may be a clue—may not be

We just don’t know

God’s displeasure was clearly noted

…and so we see...

The Growth of Hatred

Cain was angry

His face fell

Despite God’s warning

…seems to be a plea for confession and repentance

Genesis 4:5–7 ESV

but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 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.”

Again…it would have been interesting to see how that would have played out...

But no repentance came

He did NOT overcome the sin crouching…imagery of an animal waiting to pounce on its prey

The Result of Hatred

Horrendous sin

Cain committed the first murder…of his brother

When confronted, evasion tactics not unlike Adam’s and Eve’s

No confession…just a plea for mercy

Yet, God was gracious and let him live

His lineage would continue…though it ended at the Flood

…possible the wives of Noah or his sons were of his line

It appears that sin reigned in his lineage

Application

Sin of hatred is the outgrowth of the sin of unrestrained/uncontrolled anger

…there can be anger without sin…another lesson, another time...

What provokes this sinfulness that can become murderous?

It’s a heart issue

Mark 7:21–23 ESV

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

How often might anger get mingled in with any of those sins…often, I suspect

Though we may not get to the point of the act of taking another’s life, rage can build within us

Matthew 5:22 ESV

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

We can take this to include more than just true siblings…though it certainly applies

How about neighbors; other family members; Facebook friends?

Oh, the words that come out of our mouths…or off our keyboards

James 3:5 ESV

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Words on the screen are often taken poorly because of inability to have visual clues or hear verbal inflection

Words spoken in person can be much worse because of those inflections

How Do We Fix It?

Matthew 5:23–24 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Sounds like Cain could have used that advice…right?

This passage does not differentiate between the parties—offender or offended

Directed to believers to go make it right

Follow up, most particularly in matters of church relations

Matthew 18:15–17 ESV

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Challenge

Take note of God’s mercy and desire for repentance and restoration of relationship

…1st with Himself—all are sinners, need salvation

Aggressively deal with anger—before it gets out of control

Examine your relationships—do you see the seeds of anger? …of hatred?

Family, friends, fellow church-goers?

Start with forgiveness

Remember the Lord’s prayer

…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

Go, through the work of His son Jesus has offered us forgiveness…

Our sin is greater by far than any sin committed against us