INTRODUCTION: In Genesis 4, we continue to see that Genesis is truly a book of beginnings. Here we have the first birth, worship, murder, death, martyr, city, bigamist, foundry, poetry, as well as other things. This chapter also reveals the spread of sin in the first family and then into society. Truly depravity was soon in full bloom.I. TWO SONS - verses 1-2.
Here is the inspired record of the first children born into this world. The first was named Cain which means "acquired" or "gotten." Some believe that Eve thought he was the Messiah promised in Genesis 3:15. However this may have been, she soon learned the sad fact that this world is a place of sorrow and emptiness. The second son was named Abel which means "vanity" or "vapor." Eve must have become increasingly aware of the wreck that sin had produced. The naming of Cain does seem to show, however, that she was a believer in God's promises.II. TWO OFFERINGS - verses 3-5.
Is it not obvious that Adam taught his sons the time and manner of worship? These offerings were probably brought to the place where the cherubim were [Genesis 2:24]. This seems to be the place where God met with them [consider verse 16]. Sadly only one of the sacrifices could be accepted by God. In some tangible way God showed His acceptance of Abel's offering [Hebrews 11:4]. Remembering several other Old Testament incidents, it is most likely that it was supernaturally consumed by fire. Let us note well how the offerings differed:A. Cain's offering was rejected because he himself was not right with God. The whole Bible teaches that nothing we offer God is accepted if we ourselves are not right with God [verse 5, Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 1:10-15].
B. Cain's offering was a "Thank-offering" and betrayed a self-righteous spirit. In bringing a lamb Abel was confessing his need of a "sin offering." His offering pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God dying for sinners. It displayed his faith in the coming Savior [Hebrews 11:4]. The difference in Cain and Abel is seen in all ages. The Pharisee and the Publican give us a New Testament picture of the same thing [Luke 18:9-14]. The "way of Cain" [Jude 11] is the way of salvation by works and religion.
III. CAIN WARNED - verses 6-7.
Nothing irritates a man like having his self-righteous attitude rebuked. God warned Cain but he would not answer. Eve was talked into sin and now Cain could not be talked out of it. The words of God in verse 7, have been the source of much debate. This is because the word "sin" is sometimes used in the Old Testament to refer to a "sin offering." The verse is interpreted in two ways:A. "If you repent you will be accepted. If you refuse to repent, sin like a dangerous beast, lies in wait to spring on you. Sin will conquer and rule over you if you don't crucify the flesh and rule over it." Should this be the correct interpretation, it is illustrated in Cain's life. He became a slave to sin. Hate ruled him and led him to murder. Sin ruined his life.
B. "If you had done well I would have accepted you. Even now there is a sin offering that you can use to make atonement for your sins. Repent and you shall keep your place as the firstborn and head of the family." Notice that in the second interpretation it was Abel rather than sin that Cain would rule over. While both interpretations are in line with Bible doctrine, I lean toward the first. The best Bible students do not, however, agree on this verse.
IV. THE FIRST MURDER - verse 8.
The first man on earth to die was one of God's children, who was murdered. Truly the hatred of Satan for God's people is ancient [Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:29]. Cain hated Abel because he was righteous and knew the gospel [I John 3:11-13]. One pleasant thought is that the first to die went to Heaven.V. CAIN TRIED - verses 9-10.
The Lord questioned Cain that he might have opportunity to confess his sin. Sadly the murderer then lied. When we follow Satan we act like him [John 8:44]. One sin leads to another. How often the world answers like Cain "Am I my brother's keeper?" They never seem to figure out that the answer is yes [Matthew 22:39]. God said that Abel's blood cried out from the ground. It cried for vengeance as does the blood of all the martyrs and innocent victims of man's wrath. Thank God that Christ's blood speaks better things [Hebrews 12:24].VI. CAIN PUNISHED - verses 11-14.
Cain's punishment was two-fold:
A. The ground would no longer yield a crop to him. This was a punishment for the sin of spilling man's blood as though it were a common thing. Remember that from Cain's offering we gather that he was a farmer.B. He would be a wanderer through the earth. This was to indicate that he was a fugitive from God [verse 14]. This punishment seemed to be a great sorrow to Cain [verse 13]. Sadly he was burdened about the penalty, not the guilt of his sin.
VII. GOD'S FOREBEARENCE - verse 15.
Cain's conscience told him that murder deserved death. His fears seemed to indicate that he felt that men would automatically know this and seek to take his life. For some reason God would not allow Cain to be executed. Civil government can only take life because of God-delegated authority [Romans 13:1-5]. Capital punishment was not instituted until after the flood [Genesis 9:5-6]. At this point God kept the execution of vengeance as His own prerogative. (Do not the words of verse 15, teach that the man who would, without authority, take vengeance is worse that the man who did the wrong. Those who wrongly take vengeance are usurping God's very throne [Romans 12:19]).=================
Go to Genesis 4:16-26
Return to Genesis Index
Return to Publications Page