Key Text: The Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? (Genesis 4:6-7).
The first baby born into the world would eventually manifest self-will and pride, the ability to deceive, lie, and an uncontrollable temper. Cain and Abel were undoubtedly taught by their parents concerning creation, the fact of sin, the curse, and the promise God had given in the Garden. And, the brothers knew that when coming to God they should bring an offering. They understood that God is to be worshiped by means of a sacrifice which is appropriated by faith. Cain brought agricultural produce and Abel brought the best of the firstlings of his flock. They brought their offerings to a definite place of worship, and there appears to have been an appointed time of worship.
Since all mankind have inherited a sinful nature, a sacrifice and an acknowledgement that they were sinners was the alternative God provided. The brothers knew how God had shed the blood of innocent animals to clothe their parents after they had sinned and realized they were naked. Abel apparently understood the principle of blood atonement and based his faith on it. However, Cain had no such faith and therefore could not please God. Instead of humbling himself in true constitution, Cain allowed himself to be consumed by his anger and feelings of rejection. He draws his own self-righteousness and spurns a salvation based on blood. “When they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain. Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What has thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” v 8-10. God had reasoned with Cain about his anger and his envy, but it was all in vain. The enmity of Satan poisoned Cain’s soul when God would not receive his gift, and Cain’s anger would not rest until Abel’s blood was shed.
Cain hated the righteousness of God he saw in his brother. Because Cain’s deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous, he slew him. When God calls Cain to account for his sin of murder, he uses foolish evasions. He speaks defiantly and denies his guilt until confronted with it by God. Cain tried to evade a direct answer with brash insolence, he lied to God. So, the first murderer is also the first liar. Cain is trying to cover his sin but God stripped away Cain’s lies and exposed him for what he was. Secondly, man has a responsibility to others besides himself. We are our brother’s keeper. We should seek to do good and not evil, to help and never harm. We are admonished to love our neighbors as ourselves.
God’s judgment was swift. Cain was pronounced “a fugitive and a vagabond” v 15. He was a cursed man who would find no rest or peace on earth. No matter where he would go, the ground would be against him, the ground that had been soaked with the blood of his brother. “And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord” v 16, the saddest result of sin, the loss of the presence of God. Overwhelmed with the severity of the judgment, Cain said, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” v 13. Cain apparently anticipated that he would become a target for avengers. In grace, God responded even for the sinner. A sign was placed on Cain declaring that whoever killed him would have vengeance meted out to him “sevenfold.” Cain was protected by God. He established the Cainite civilization but the people were godless. Cain was the first to defile the divine institution of marriage. It was wrong attitudes that got Cain into trouble. The only way to handle our ill-will is to acknowledge their presence in our lives, admit them to God, and ask His forgiveness and help in ridding us of these attitudes. God will help us as we yield our spirits to Him. AMEN!
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