01-25 Cain & Abel, Pt 2

Genesis 4:6-10

21 years ago today (9/11/01) our nation was shaken to its core when terrorists hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center Towers in NYC and the Pentagon, while a final plane crashed in PA. I can still remember where I was when I first heard that news (It’s probably the same for you all). After the dust settled (lit.) all told-2977 people died, 19 hijackers commited murder-suicide and over 25K were injured.

Today is a day of remembrance as our nation was ruthlessly attacked. And yet, those events, 21 years ago, have a great deal in common with what happened in Gen 4. Murder is satanically inspired.

John 8:44 NASB95

44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 3:12 NASB95

12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

Satan is the author of aggression and hatred for others and when taken to its end—murder is the result.

I read an account of a Texas mother who was so intent on making sure her daughter made the cheerleading squad that she was willing to hire a hit man to kill a competitor’s mother. She hoped the 13 yr old competitor would be so overwhelmed with grief by her mother’s death that she would drop out of the competition. The woman 1st thought about hiring the hit on the girl but ultimately choose the girl’s mother—$2500.

In 2021, 19600 were killed in the US (over 2 murders every hour of the year). Over the past several years the murder rate continues to climb—I don’t pretend to know the reason why—though we can look at Paul’s instruction:

2 Timothy 3:12–13 NASB95

12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The world will continue to decline (esp. as the return of LJC draws nearer).

Well, back in Gen 4—we have the account of the 1st human to take the life of another human. Cain murdered his brother. I believe this is an accurate historical account—not poetic, not allegorical, not mythical. The writers of the NT believed the events in Gen actually happened the way Moses writes them. I do too!

Review:

1. Two Offspring

Chapter 4 begins on a positive note as Eve gives birth to 2 children, recognizing the promise of God in the wake of His judgment upon Adam & Eve’s disobedience. Cain is the 1st to be born (I have gotten/gained/acquired). Abel is next (possibility of twins—uncertain and only speculation). His name (vapor, breath) might hint at the brevity of his life with it being cut short on account of his brother’s actions.

2. Two Occupations

Abel chose the occupation of shepherding “keeper of flocks” (term refers to “small cattle” but could be sheep or goats—or other small animals).

Cain on the other hand, followed the profession of his father Adam—tiller of the ground. Now, some of speculated that one vocation was more honorable than the other. It is my contention that both professions carried the blessing of God (Dt 8). These were 2 ways that Cain and Abel chose to work and live under the curse.

3. Two Offerings

While Moses does not mention it, on some prior occasion, God revealed to Adam and perhaps to his children the proper manner to approach God. It was by way of sacrifice, offering. So both brothers bring an offering “in the course of time” (indication that God had prescribed a time and place in which to draw near by way of the offering).

The 2 offerings were notably different. Cain brings his consisting of the fruit of the ground (according to his chosen occupation).

Abel brings his, also in relation to his occupation (the firstlings…).

Now, by itself, we don’t have any revelation as to why God had regard for Abel’s but not Cain’s. Several suggestions:

1) God prefers shepherds over farmers (fulfilling both commandments to till the land and dominion over creation)

2) Animal sacrifice was better than vegetable sacrifice

3) living sacrifice was better than lifeless sacrifice

4) bloody vs non-bloody sacrifice

5) Abel brought a more plentiful offering

6) God’s motives are inscrutable reflecting divine election

7) different approach to worship—best of the flock vs some of the fruit.

God tells us why in

Hebrews 11:4 NASB95

4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

The righteous live by faith—Abel’s offering was brought to God by faith. Abel obeyed God. Cain did not and he acted out of unbelief—as a direct contrast to his brother.

Cain worshiped God but in a self-styled manner and in disobedience to God’s command. And God’s rejection and Cain’s response shows that his heart was not eager to truly worship YHWH.

“Cain became very angry...” (vs 5b). This description is graphic. The word means “to cause to burn” and refers to a burning sensation like the kindling of a fire. In Cain, there was a kindling of anger (lit. it burned to Cain exceedingly) and once that burning heat of anger started it was difficult to cool.

4. Two Options

vs 6, notice that God begins with a question. This is similar to the way God approached Adam after his defiance. “Why are you angry?” God is not asking because He doesn’t know

Hebrews 4:13 NASB95

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

God is asking to draw Cain out (just like He did with Adam). Then a second question “why has your countenance fallen?” God is giving Cain the opportunity to examine his own heart and to see the true cause of God’s rejection and his own anger and despondency.

Mathews adds that God’s purpose… “not to scold but to elicit Cain’s admission of sin with the view to repentance.”

Then He proceeds to counsel Cain in vs 7 and presents him with 2 options:

A. Obedience

I just want to point out that translators and scholars have had a very difficult time with this verse (one of the most difficult in the Bible). ESV & NIV give the dif. translation:

“If you do well, will you not be accepted?” Earlier, when Cain’s offering was rejected he became angry and countenance had fallen (the picture of a downcast face). This had happened b/c his conscience was actively piercing him with his guiltiness before God.

Both translations offer what I believe is God’s counsel…if you do well (i.e. what is right, obedient, pleasing to the Lord), then there will be an uplifted face b/c your conscience will be cleared before God. There won’t be any more shame and you will find acceptance before God.

Remember, the difference b/t Cain & Able is faith. What is it that makes a man right before God?—justification by faith. Obedience would be rewarded. God is full of mercy and grace offering the forgiveness Cain needed. God’s counsel was to turn from his sin, repent and receive that rich mercy (already manifest toward his parents).

Acts 10:35 NASB95

35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.

God desires obedience. He wants His creatures to have the right response to His commands. John tells us that obedience confirms our standing/acceptance before God.

1 John 2:3–6 NASB95

3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

I mentioned last time that this passage is not so much about murder but WORSHIP. Worship is your life. It is what you’re called to. But when you’re walking in sin, you’re not worshiping God. And God’s gift to you is the conscience which when offended makes you feel horrible. So when you come back (God’s Way), turn from your sin—He accepts you and you encounter that great peace (thru forgiveness) that comes when you’re right with God.

B. Disobedience

God also forewarned Cain… “But...” If Cain refused to walk thru the 1st door, the 2nd door would have catastrophic consequences. Sin is pictured as a beast that is ready to pounce on its prey. These are the same terms that God used when speaking to Eve following her disobedience. Her desire would be for her husband—that is to control him, to overtake him. Sin’s desire is the same for each of us. Its is lurking. And whenever sin meets with the hardened heart, sin consumes, devours.

It is always this way.

Romans 6:12–14 NASB95

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Sin becomes that domineering, cruel master that consumes any time we obey its lusts. To do so is disobedience to God. But I want to you notice the mercy of God here. “but you must master it...” Even though sin is a crouching, wild beast that devours its prey, it can be mastered.

Now Cain did not have the power to master sin in his own flesh or strength. None of us can overrule sin from what is within ourselves—to think so is truly foolish.

Matthew 12:43–45 NASB95

43 “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 “Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”

Self-reform without regeneration is fruitless and leaves a person self-deceived thinking they have cleaned up their life in their own strength. You need a force stronger than sin. And that force is not your flesh—it is the working of the grace of God. You need to be mastered by God’s grace in order to overcome temptation and sin.

If Cain followed God’s counsel—his anger would have be mastered. Instead, what we read is that sin brings nothing but destruction and death.

5. Two Offenses

vv 8-9

After Cain receives counsel from God, he goes and commits 2 offenses, 2 sins. He rejected what God told him and followed the option that would demonstrate sin being the master of Cain.

Sin #1: Murder

“Cain told Abel” You’ll have to use you imagination to figure out what he spoke. Whatever it was, Abel had no fear and Moses writes that they were in the field together. Cain, for his part, had planned the murder of his “brother” (2x). This wasn’t just homicide, it was fratricide. Cain killed his little brother. This is premeditated, intentional, murder 1 (1st degree). It wasn’t negligent homicide or 2nd degree murder (anything else that would lessen the offense). “Cain…killed him.”

That term “to kill” speaks of the violence directed toward another and used often of the killing that one would encounter in war. There are several theories as to how Cain killed his brother: crushing his skull with a rock (or some other object), choking him with his hands until there was no breath (very personal form of aggression).

There is one clue that comes from the writing of John:

1 John 3:12 NASB95

12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

That word “slay” in the Gk originally meant “to cut the throat” and was used of the sacrificing of animals to be sure that all its blood spilled out on the altar. It is probably the best understanding of how Cain killed his brother, since vs 10 “blood is crying…from the ground.”

Now, Abel was a good man. He wasn’t cheering for God’s rejection of Cain’s offering. Heb 11:4 calls him “righteous”, a man of faith. Jesus calls Abel a prophet:

Luke 11:49–51 NASB95

49 “For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute, 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’

Cain murdered his brother…John uses him as a contrast as to how Xns ought to love one another. Dietrich Bonhoeffer asks “Why does Cain murder?…out of hatred for God.” He was angry with his Creator so he took it out on His creation. You can tell how this was so b/c “he was of the evil one” (John 8:44).

Sin #2: Lying

God asks Cain “Where…?” Sin will multiply where there is a hard heart. And Cain, could have received the divine forgiveness his soul longed for had he come to YHWH and said “I’ve attacked my brother b/c I was angry with you.” But Cain says “I do not know...” He’s lying thru his teeth. Cain is flippant and apathetic toward the murder he just commited—revealing a truly hardened heart.

Proverbs 28:13 NASB95

13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

And Cain doesn’t stop at lying but his heart (fully deceived on account of depravity) tries to out-wit the Creator. He asks the 1st human question in the Bible, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” “I’m not responsible for anyone but myself…and if something happened to Abel—its his fault, not mine.” It just goes from bad to horribly worse.

As a matter of fact…you are your brother’s keeper. You have responsibility before God as to how you treat others.

Matt 22:34-40;

On another occasion:

Luke 11:25ff— Good Samaritan

You are absolutely responsible for how you treat one another.

Matthew 7:12 NASB95

12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Cain failed…in every way.

God will no longer allow Cain to have a playful, irreverent attitude. vs 10… God thunders…Abel’s blood screams to God from the earth. It was a testimony of Cain’s loveless cruelty. It couldn’t be covered.

Application

The account of Cain serves us today in at least 2 ways. But 2 examples are given in the NT for us to take note of...

Love/Hate

This comes directly from John’s letter that we not follow Cain’s example but love one another—for this is evidence that you belong to Christ. This is John’s argument:

1 John 3:10 NASB95

10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

1 John 3:11–12 NASB95

11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

John 13:35 NASB95

35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Way of Cain

Cain is mentioned 3x in the NT (1 Jn 3:12; Heb 11:4; Jude 11).

Jude 11 NASB95

11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Jude is referring to apostates…their character? They hate God (vs 4), morally bankrupt, undeterred by past judgment, unrestrained conduct, divisive, worldly minded, devoid of the Spirit. Jude, under divine inspiration pronounces a curse upon them for going “the way of Cain.”

Cain was a faithless man. He refused to approach God according to the commandment of God. He was consumed with jealous hate and self-centered desires.

He brought God an offering in a self-styled manner, thinking he could invent the way to God that seemed best to himself. This is the erroneous way that every unbeliever is walking along—having rejected the way of salvation thru the shedding of the blood of LJC.

If this is you today…reject the way of Cain and follow the way of Abel—who was declared righteous by God b/c he was a man of faith. He believed God and trusted in God’s way. Hebrews tells us that Abel still speaks today.

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Be sure you’re following that way by trusting in the only provision that is sufficient for eternal life—The Lord Jesus.

Prayer: God is merciful—offering both grace and forgiveness to those who humble themselves and fall upon the mercy of God—they find life.