Battle For The Truth (Part 23)

Genesis 4:8–10 KJV 1900

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. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Introduction

There is an old idiom of uncertain origin that refers to a person “having a chip on their shoulder.” Usually meaning that they have a grudge or negative attitude against someone or something for a perceived or real injustice.

For instance, this idiom is often used in sports where an athlete is said to play with “a chip on their shoulder,” which provides them incentive to try harder and be more focused to achieve the goal of winning. Having a chip may be an advantage in the sports, entertainment, political, or business world.

However, having a chip is a disadvantage and can be outright deadly in the realm of good human relationships. I say, it is a disadvantage in a family, a friendship, a marriage, or a church. Amen somebody.

As mentioned in the previous message, from Genesis 4 to the end of the Book of Revelation, we will witness the ongoing Struggle Between Good and Evil. Genesis 4 explains when and why there is dysfunction within our families. The when part of the equation is the 1st family, the why part is sin. Again, dysfunction is just a euphemism for sin, and sin is present within every family from the 1st family to your family and mine. Amen somebody.

If you have ever wondered why children born and raised by the same parents to love and obey God can go in opposite directions concerning godliness, the answer is found here in Genesis 4 with roots back to Genesis 3. All human beings bear the image of God, are created uniquely by Him as free moral agents responsible for the choices that we make. Amen somebody.

V. 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.”

After God rejected Cain’s offering and corrected him on his error, Cain responded with anger and a sour look on his face.

There is no evidence that He showed any remorse, nor did he ask for forgiveness. It seems he left the presence of God with a chip on his shoulder. Despite being angry with God, Cain knew that he was no match for God, so he directed his rage where he knew he had an advantage—towards Abel his brother.

With treachery in his heart, Cain deceitfully lures Able out into the field for one reason—to kill him. There is nothing Abel could have said that justified Cain’s dastardly act. The text says that Cain “rose up against”, which means he attacked him.

Why did Cain murder his brother? The text does not tell us. All we know is that Cain was angry—angry with God and apparently angry with Abel his brother. However, as mentioned before, to interpret the historical narrative, we must turn to the didactic literature.

In the NT we find the following references to Cain:

I John 3:11-12, “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (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.”

Heb 11:4 – “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

These Scriptures suggests that Cain’s motivation was envy and jealousy. Since the days of Cain and Abel there continues to be a struggle between those who try to do what is right and those who despise them for it. Why does this struggle exist? In John 3:19, Jesus had this to say, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

Side Note: Why did God allow Cain to murder Abel his brother? If God is all powerful, could He not have prevented this from happening? Do you see the implications of the questions? Either God is not as capable as Christians want to believe or God is not as loving as Christians say He is. So, how do we handle these questions? Well, before getting into a deep theological discussion on the attributes and characteristics of God, let me just cut to the chase. Go with me back to Genesis 2:17 – “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Remember what happened when they disobeyed God’s command by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree? They immediately became aware of their nakedness which made them ashamed and afraid. However, until Cain is rejected offering false worship and his anger for being rebuked do we begin to get a sense of what evil looks like. The evil that was in the forbidden tree is now in full bloom. Death by murder has been unleashed into the human experience. This is the first murder recorded in the Bible. What a shocking reality. It was shocking then, and to a degree, it is still somewhat shocking today. Amen somebody.

V.9 – “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?”

God asked Cain a straightforward question, “Where is Abel thy brother?” We know that God already knew of Abel’s whereabouts. God was just getting Cain on record for us.

Five times in these three verses the word “brother” is mentioned. Now when the Bible repeats a word several times as the word “brother” in these few verses, it is a Hebrew literary tool intended for effect; and therefore, we should pay close attention to it. Cain’s response to God’s inquiry about Abel his brother’s whereabouts was a lie.

For we know that he was well aware of Abel’s whereabouts, because he just murdered him in the field. Cains said, “I know not…” Then, to add insult to injury, Cain snapped, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” All God asked him was a simple question, and Cain had the unmitigated gall to be sarcastic and huffy with God. In effect, Cain was saying, “Don’t ask me nothing about my brother. I don’t keep his schedule. I am I supposed to be his guardian or something?”

Side note: Although we do not have further details in the text, I am convinced that there is a high probability that this is not the first time Cain has been angry. And seeing the huffy and disrespectful way Cain responded to God, imagine how he talked to Abel his little brother on this fateful day. Moreover, imagine how he responded when his mother Eve or his father Adam corrected him. I have witnessed many people, even Christians, not respond well when they are biblically corrected or disciplined. Instead of being sorrowful and humble concerning their error, they respond with hurtful words, evil attitudes, and withdrawal. Some even leave the fellowship. Others may not say the words out loud or overtly exhibit these behaviors, they just internally seethe with anger and murmur the same in their hearts. Now granted, being corrected or disciplined is never pleasant for any of us, however, if we endure it, the Lord assures us that we will grow in grace. Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” The NAS version puts it this way, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Amen somebody.

Although Cain has uncorked his anger against his brother, we can see by his response to God that he is still angry. Today, Cain would probably be diagnosed with having a psychotic episode or a severe case of anger management. And that may all be true. Nevertheless, the Bible calls it sin, and what undergirds sin is evil, and using contact tracing methods, we can trace evil back to the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Oh, how I wish I could hear somebody say, Amen. Amen somebody.

Through his actions, Cain exemplifies many of the attributes of evil. Cain was…

Disobedient

Prideful

Hateful

Disrespectful

Mean

Deceptive

Unjust

Envious

Jealous

Murderous

Arrogant

Unrepentant

V.10 – “And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground."

So, could God have prevented Cain from committing this murderous act? The answer is, yes. But why didn’t He? First let me say, that this is a major issue for many people.

In fact, there are many Christians who struggle answering such a question. Basically, I believe it is meant to show us that there are two paths a person may choose—obedience, represented by Abel and disobedience represented by Cain. Furthermore, it demonstrates the truth of God’s word.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Somebody may be thinking, “well, it does not seem like it worked out so good for Abel.” But, let me remind you that God said that Abel’s blood was crying out to him from the ground or the grave.

The only way that could occur is that there was a part of Abel known as his soul that was still alive to God although the body was dead. King Solomon informs us of this in Ecclesiastes 12:7 – “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” The soul of the body is like the hand in a glove. The soul animates the body. But when the time of separation between the two comes, the body like the glove ceases to function, but the soul like the hand lives on.

This good news to them that love God and we ought to be encouraged by it. You see Cain meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. Oh, I feel like shouting. Isaiah informs us in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This is why Jesus commands us in Matthew 10:28 – “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Other lessons we may glean from Abel’s experience is that God has the right to use His children in whatever way He determines. Because, at the end of the day, we exist for His purpose, which for us is always good (Romans 8:28).

In addition, God used Abel to show us that God’s way is the only acceptable way. As God told the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Amen somebody.

Side Note: The spirit of Cain is alive and well today. The strife between the godly and ungodly, righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness continues. In the world of entertainment, one of the primary topics comedians use to get a good laugh is to make fun of God and His people. In fact, the persecution of Christians in the 1st Century was done for sport. You may have experienced ridicule from people because attend church or study your Bible. But do not be discouraged. I heard Jesus say in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Amen somebody.

Conclusion

My brothers and sisters, God’s dealings with Abel gives me encouragement, confidence, and hope. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.

For yet, another lesson to glean from Abel’s experience is that God knows what you have been through, what you are going through right now, and what you will go through tomorrow. Proverbs 15:3, says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

And because He knows, I am persuaded that He cares, and I know that He not only able to deliver but will one day deliver me from all evil. My soul cries out, Hallelujah! I love the way David put it in Psalm 37:1-20, and I close with this:

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. (2) For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. (3) Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (6) And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (7) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (8) Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (9) For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (10) For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. (11) But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (12) The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. (13) The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. (14) The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. (15) Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. (16) A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. (17) For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. (18) The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. (19) They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. (20) But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.” Amen somebody.

Proverbs 14:32, says, “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.” We see this fulfilled in the life of Abel. But what gives me the greatest encouragement is Jesus’ triumph over sin and evil. Jesus paid our sin debt when He hung on Calvary’s cross. Before His crucifixion, Jesus told His enemies, “destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up again.”

Well, one fateful Friday, they nailed Him to a rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. Jesus hung there until He cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished.” Notice He said “it is finished” not I am finished. Because three days later, early on Sunday morning, while the dew was still on the rose, the same Jesus rose from the dead, and declared that all power in heaven and in earth is given unto to Him.

Jesus told the Apostle John in Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Next week, should the Lord tarry, we will look at the God’s judgement against Cain and how he responded. So, until next time, may the Lord richly bless you my beloved. Amen.