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:"
