Abel and Cain

Genesis 4: 1-17

Cain and Abel are studies in contrasts of the human nature, Abel was a worshipper, Cain was one who sought the acceptance of God by his works.  And so it is today, nothing has changed.

It is important to mention here that the parents of Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden of Eden because of their disobedience of the LORD God's command to Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.   They are now in a sinful state, they make coverings for themselves with fig leaves (Gen 3:7) but God in his mercy, provided a covering for them, animal skins, which necessitated the slaying of an animal. (Gen 3:21) Thus we know that it is not by the works of our hands that we are acceptable to God.  He provides the way, by the shedding of blood without which there is no remission of sins,  it is only by faith in this sacrifice that we are acceptable.  To Adam and Eve, it was by the blood of an animal, but for us today, it is through the shed precious blood of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so after being driven out Gen 4:1 tells us that "Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said I have gotten a man from the Lord."  Maybe Eve thought that this was the promised deliverer of Gen 3:15.  Gen 4:2 tells us "she again bare his brother Abel."  Some people think that Cain and Abel were twins because "again" here  is a different Hebrew word than "again" in Gen 4:25.   In any event, Verse 2 tells us "Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." Interesting here that Abel's name is given first, and regarding that little word "but"  when it appears like this, problems are sure to follow.

Gen 4:3 "In process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD..." there was a place "Cain brought the fruit" and there was a time "in process of time" where an offering was to be made to the LORD God.  And it is here that the complete difference between Cain and Abel is seen.  Gen 4:4 "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof...."

Just as the LORD God provided coverings of animal skins to his parents, Abel brought "the firstlings" and as he was a keeper of sheep (V2), this would be a lamb,  a type of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.   The firstlings means that this was the very best of his flock.   But Cain chose to bring the fruit of the ground, the works of his hands, and at that, not even the best but just "of" the fruit of the ground"    He chose his way instead of God's way, even though God had cursed the ground for the sin of Adam. (Gen 3:17  "..cursed is the ground for thy sake..") and the result? Gen 4:4-5 "And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect.  And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."

Hebrews 11:4  "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain by which he obtained witness that he was righteous..."  Hebrews 11:6  "but without faith it is impossible to please Him..."   Matthew 23:35 calls Abel "righteous Abel" his heart was righteous, and the omniscient Lord knew that the heart of Cain was not righteous.   The fact that Cain became very angry when God did not accept his offering, goes to show that it was not offered in faith,  for if it were by faith, he would not have become angry.   Cain lacked humility but was confident in himself.

Gen 4:6 "And the LORD said unto Cain, why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If you doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door..."   Cain is given opportunity to repent of his anger and bring the proper offering, but also given a warning that if he does not repent, sin is awaiting..  1 Peter 5:8  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

 

But we know that Cain did not repent of his anger, for in Genesis 4:8 "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"     and so murder enters the human race...

And how devious was the plot to kill his brother, by a show of friendship and brotherly devotion they are in the field talking, but then Cain killed his younger brother, whom he should have protected.  Cain could have overcome the temptation to kill his brother Abel, but he followed his anger, and murdered him, thus fulfilling God's words "sin lieth at the door"

Next the LORD asks Cain where Abel was, knowing full well what has happened, our LORD knows every thought and intent of our hearts, and our every action to come.  He is giving Cain a change to confess and repent.  But now Cain lies to God  - Genesis 4:9 "..I know not: am I my brother's keeper?"   It is difficult to imagine the depth of depravity of a heart that has the privilege of communicating with LORD God, and lies to him..

Next is a very interesting verse Gen.4:10 "And he said what hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground."  does it cry for sorrow? for vengeance?  God knoweth..   we can dwell upon the knowledge that Christ's blood was shed for our pardon.

And so Abel is dead, but because of his faith, he is in that place of perfect rest awaiting the promised deliverer (Gen 3:15)  but Cain is pronounced "cursed from the earth...when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth." (Genesis 4:12)  for his father Adam, the ground is cursed, but for Cain, HE is cursed.  He is henceforth denied daily nourishment from the ground, or a permanent home to live in, but is made to be a wanderer and a fugitive..  he does not die immediately for his crime, but is given more life, more chance to repent of his evil deed.

Cain says "my punishment is greater than I can bear"  (Gen 4:13) yet he is still living, but his brother is not.   And God sets a mark upon Cain (Gen 4:15) one that will set him apart from all other men, because no one has the right to end Cain's life except the LORD God.

And so Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (Gen 4:16) and we do not ever hear that by repentance he came back into His presence.  He left the area of Eden and lived in a land called Nod (shaking or trembling) and there built a city and established a family, 4:17 "And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch."

In the new testament, 1 John 3:11-12 gives how believers should treat each other, and contrasts the behavior of Cain with these words: "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.  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."   From V12 we know that Cain was of that wicked one, the devil, and that his works were evil.  What a terrible legacy..   what will be yours?