THE WAR BETWEEN TWO SEEDS

Genesis 4:1-8

Genesis 4:1–8 NASB95

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. 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; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance 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.” 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.

INTRODUCTION

One of the biggest issues facing us today is the rise of aggravated assault offenses. According to the United Stated crime statistics, in 2020, there was an estimated 1,277,696 violent crimes, which is an increase of 5.6% since 2019. The estimated number of aggravated assault offenses rose 12.1%. In the U.S., the number of murders increased nearly 30% since 2019, with an estimated 21,570 homicides. Nearly 77%of murders were committed with some sort of firearm. The number of homicides or unintentional gun deaths rose by almost 4,000. In 2021, there was a 10% increase in homicides since 2020.

The history of humanity is replete with instances of aggravated assaults. From as far back as the first humans born into the world from Adam and Eve, we see the emergence of aggression. Aggression is defined as hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront. As we read the Genesis account of the first aggravated assault we discover hostility in Cain: he is full of antagonism, belligerence, and combativeness. This in turn, resulted in fratricide, that is, the murder of his own brother.

I believe the Lord wants me to raise this issue today because we are living in the midst of a hostile world in which the battle between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman is still raging. The truth is that there are evil people in this world (the seed of the serpent) who’s aim and purpose is to destroy the children of God (the seed of the woman).

Who’s side are you on?

THESIS

I want to argue today that even in the face of this rise of aggravated assaults, God is faithful in maintaining His covenant people throughout human history till Christ gains the final victory.

A WAR OF TWO SEEDS

Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 161 Preaching Christ from the Cain and Abel Narrative

The narrative sketches the beginnings of the battle between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. After relating Cain’s murder of Abel and briefly tracing Cain’s descendants through the seventh generation, the narrative returns to Adam and Eve and their new son Seth. Although the narrative seems to be about murder and violence, the concluding verses call attention to God’s faithfulness in continuing the line of the seed of the woman. The textual theme can therefore be formulated as follows: In the battle between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman God provides for the continued existence of the seed of the woman.

Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 161 Preaching Christ from the Cain and Abel Narrative

Cain did not master the devil who was “crouching” at Cain’s door (Gen. 4:7), whereas Jesus mastered the devil when He was tempted (Matt. 4:1–11).

Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 161 Preaching Christ from the Cain and Abel Narrative

Cain took the life of his brother, whereas Jesus gave His life for His brothers and sisters.

Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 161 Preaching Christ from the Cain and Abel Narrative

Lamech boasted that he would be avenged “seventy-seven times” (Gen. 4:24), whereas Jesus taught His disciples that they should forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matt. 18:22).

TYPOLOGY

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Typology

Typology” has been defined as “that form of biblical interpretation which deals with the correspondence between traditions concerning divinely appointed persons, events, and institutions, within the framework of salvation history”

Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 161 Preaching Christ from the Cain and Abel Narrative

the typology between Abel and Christ. Abel, the seed of the woman who was killed by the seed of the serpent, is a type of Jesus Christ, the Seed of the woman who would be killed by the serpent. As in all typology, here is both analogy and escalation. Hebrews 12:24 makes the same point: Believers have come “to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Why a “better word than the blood of Abel”? John provides the answer: “The blood of Jesus … purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).