Genesis 4:1-26

Background

Last week we saw the Fall of Man, and the effect that it had on creation. Genesis was given to show us the past, the beginning, and to show us the God who created it all. History is His story.

Gen. 4:1-2

Chapter 4 picks up where 3 left off, after Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden of Eden. It says that Adam was sent by God “to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.”

The Hebrew here is “to know.” It is the same word used of Adam and Eve recognizing they were naked, and of God saying that they “knew” good and evil. It is commonly used in Hebrew as a euphemism for marital relations.

This was intended, and commanded, by God, to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth (ch. 1). Adam could not fulfill this command without Eve.

Unfortunately, this was affected by the curse of sin, and Eve experienced pain in her childbirth.

Eve named Cain after the Hebrew word we translate “I have gotten.” This is common in the biblical narrative, for a name to be given based on commentary from one of the parents. Notice she calls him a “manchild;” this translation is given because the word used here is typically translated “man” or “husband.”

She also declares that this was with divine help, as life comes from the Creator (Psa. 127:3). She has now fulfilled her name, as being “the mother of all the living” (ch. 3).

Because of this wording, many think that Eve saw Cain as the one who would fulfill what God told them in Gen. 3:15.

We see in the next verse that Cain’s occupation was the same as his father: a tiller of the ground.

Again, the events of verse 1 play out again and they have another son, Abel.

There is no commentary for this name, but it is the same word as the Hebrew word translated “emptiness,” “breath,” or “vanity.” It implies a transitory nature, which goes with his profession: a shepherd. This is in line with the original command to have dominion over the beasts of the field. But there is more meaning as will be seen.

Why spend so much time talking about this? Because of the tragedy that is about to occur.

Gen. 4:3-7

As time passed, Cain and Abel both brought offerings to the LORD. God accepted Abel’s offering, but rejected Cain’s.

The significance of the offerings is not what the items were, but the heart behind the giving.

While this was thousands of years before the Law was given, we can see and understand the heart of God through what is seen in Scripture: Exo. 23:19a (repeated in Deut. 18:4) - “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God.” In addition to this, to the priests and their families it was prescribed: Num. 18:12-13.

God deserves the first and the best of what we have to offer.

We saw this when we studied Nehemiah, that part of the reason why Israel was destroyed was because they neglected to give back to God, and so Nehemiah reestablished giving: Neh. 10:34-36.

Cain’s offering was not the best of what he had to offer, it was just some of what he had (Mal. 1:8-10). Abel gave the absolute best from what he had to give, which is a sign of faith, and God acknowledged that (Heb. 11:4).

Just as we saw last week - 1 Sam. 15:22. Also Psa. 50:23.

The result of this exchange was Cain becoming angry. His pride was wounded and he was jealous of Abel. We talked about sin last week - 1 John 2:16.

Sin is crouching at our door, waiting for us slip so it may consume us.

Just as much as it is our own flesh, the devil is also always looking for an opportunity: 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 4:26-27.

What is the solution? Draw near to God - James 4:7-8.

Unfortunately Cain did not do this.

Gen. 4:8-15

Cain submitted to the devil instead of to God (1 John 3:11-12). He committed murder, and he lied to God, all because of his pride (John 8:44).

His response was even worse than his father’s, for at least Adam told God the truth and showed respect in his answers.

Cain’s punishment was the cursing of his occupation, the loss of his purpose; he would take on the name of his brother (wanderer).

His response is that of pride: he cannot take responsibility for his actions and complains to God that his punishment is too great.

Sin and pride keeps us from accepting responsibility for our actions. Humility is the answer.

James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5-6.

No need for speculation on the sign/mark of Cain.

Gen. 4:16-24

Cain has forfeited his birth family and right due to his sin. Instead of being the rightful firstborn son, he is turned into a dishonored vagabond, incapable of fulfilling God’s command to cultivate the ground. He wandered further east and settled, had children, and built a city.

Cain’s wife - could have been formed like his mother, but most likely was a sister or relative.

Incest would not have been problematic then as it is today.

Cain’s sin is a pattern for his family and the moral failure of humanity.

Though there are technological advancements taking place, immorality also takes place and is prominent in the life of Lamech.

Lamech follows in his ancestor’s footsteps by murdering, and in his pride he boasts of it.

Gen. 4:25-26

Not all is lost for humanity. Adam and Eve have a third son, and it is clear that Eve sees Seth as a substitution for the righteous Abel.

Eve names Seth in a similar fashion to Cain. The commentary seen here refers to God “appointing another” as a replacement, not just for Abel who was killed, but also for Cain who was exiled.

We see that Seth does the opposite of Cain. Rather than turning to pride and the devil, Seth and his progeny turn to the LORD (Rom. 12:1-2).

APPLICATION

God deserves the first and the best of what we have to offer. Sin keeps us from giving it to Him.

We must break free from the pattern of this world, humble ourselves, and turn to the God who can save us.

Next week, we will observe the progeny of Adam and Eve through Seth.

Communion: We practice open communion, which means if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you may join the church in taking the Lord’s Supper. Communion is a practice of remembering what Christ has done by eating and drinking, and we are told that we must examine ourselves in the taking of communion, so that we do not eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner. Take this time to examine yourself before we take communion together.

1 Cor. 11:23-26 — For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.