Beginning
with Moses & the Prophets
with Moses & the Prophets
“In
the Way of Cain”
the Way of Cain”
Genesis
4: 1-16; Jude 11
4: 1-16; Jude 11
Introduction
I was researching the statistics that showed the amount
of violence throughout all of world history and I quickly realized that I bit
off a little more than I could chew in just a few days. But I found that the The 20th century comes out as number one (1) on the list with 193.8 million violent
deaths followed by the 19th century with 62.5 million.
of violence throughout all of world history and I quickly realized that I bit
off a little more than I could chew in just a few days. But I found that the The 20th century comes out as number one (1) on the list with 193.8 million violent
deaths followed by the 19th century with 62.5 million.
The 21st century has gotten off to a pretty good start by
continuing in the same vein.
continuing in the same vein.
Our culture alone may be leading the way in homicides -
Just alone the over 50 million murders of innocent children while in the womb,
all in the name of self-divination or as William Henley pens, “I am the master
of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Just alone the over 50 million murders of innocent children while in the womb,
all in the name of self-divination or as William Henley pens, “I am the master
of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Transition
The centerpiece in Genesis 4 is a homicide but it is more
than just recording the first murder. It is the hardening & sliding of the
heart away from the Lord God into sin as written in Jude 11, “the way of
Cain.”.
than just recording the first murder. It is the hardening & sliding of the
heart away from the Lord God into sin as written in Jude 11, “the way of
Cain.”.
The story reveals to the reader something of the nature,
the essential nature of all of us, mankind, with an unforgettable picture of
the early stages of power - It’s a story of depravity and grace
- This story instructs us on the essential nature, the character of all
mankind.
the essential nature of all of us, mankind, with an unforgettable picture of
the early stages of power - It’s a story of depravity and grace
- This story instructs us on the essential nature, the character of all
mankind.
The story begins with a lot of optimism: Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she
conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a man-child with
the help of the Lord.” Her
pregnancy must have been a source for joy; her pain was the first ever in
childbearing but those pangs must have given way to a joy so deep that it
absorbed her pain. With the help of the Lord, I have gotten a man-child, a
second man. She rightly saw Cain as a work of God.
conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a man-child with
the help of the Lord.” Her
pregnancy must have been a source for joy; her pain was the first ever in
childbearing but those pangs must have given way to a joy so deep that it
absorbed her pain. With the help of the Lord, I have gotten a man-child, a
second man. She rightly saw Cain as a work of God.
The words of Eve were an implicit
declaration of faith. Adam believed the promise which we see in Gen. 3:15 and so-called the woman “Life”, the mother of all living, “Eve”.
declaration of faith. Adam believed the promise which we see in Gen. 3:15 and so-called the woman “Life”, the mother of all living, “Eve”.
Prelude to Murder (2b-7)
Again, she
gave birth to his brother Abel. His name is significant; it signifies a lack of
permanence maybe it alluded unwittingly to his life being cut short.
gave birth to his brother Abel. His name is significant; it signifies a lack of
permanence maybe it alluded unwittingly to his life being cut short.
Abel is listed first in the
household of faith - In Matthew 23:35; Luke 11: 50-51Jesus called him righteous
& placed him with the prophets. This testimony from our Lord concerning
Abel tells us that he was one who believed & obeyed God’s words with
righteousness imparted to him.
household of faith - In Matthew 23:35; Luke 11: 50-51Jesus called him righteous
& placed him with the prophets. This testimony from our Lord concerning
Abel tells us that he was one who believed & obeyed God’s words with
righteousness imparted to him.
As the two boys grew, Cain followed
his dad’s profession as a farmer & Abel, can I call him a rancher? He was a
shepherd of flocks.
his dad’s profession as a farmer & Abel, can I call him a rancher? He was a
shepherd of flocks.
A Crisis Arises; we have no idea if the
brothers were in the habit of making regular sacrifices or if what is recorded
is the initial presentation of offerings by the siblings. Verse 3 begins with, So
it came about in the course of time we can pretty well know that
this wasn’t the first occasion, in the course of time usually denotes a
precise period of time. It could have been the end of an agricultural period or
when an animal is at a prescribed age. Abel, on his part also brought of
the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. We know that
later it will be prescribed that the lamb for Passover must be an
unblemished male a year old; (Exodus 12:5). Again, it could have been
the 2nd time or the 15th time the offerings were presented.
brothers were in the habit of making regular sacrifices or if what is recorded
is the initial presentation of offerings by the siblings. Verse 3 begins with, So
it came about in the course of time we can pretty well know that
this wasn’t the first occasion, in the course of time usually denotes a
precise period of time. It could have been the end of an agricultural period or
when an animal is at a prescribed age. Abel, on his part also brought of
the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. We know that
later it will be prescribed that the lamb for Passover must be an
unblemished male a year old; (Exodus 12:5). Again, it could have been
the 2nd time or the 15th time the offerings were presented.
There seems to have been a regular time &
maybe a place at which man was allowed to meet God. We will see later that God
speaks to Cain.
maybe a place at which man was allowed to meet God. We will see later that God
speaks to Cain.
They were still in Eden so maybe the place was at
or near the entrance to the Garden, the only entrance, on the east of the garden where the Cherubim stood guard.
or near the entrance to the Garden, the only entrance, on the east of the garden where the Cherubim stood guard.
The altar of sacrifice in the tabernacle and
later the Temple was located in the outer court, outside the entrance to the
Holy Place.
later the Temple was located in the outer court, outside the entrance to the
Holy Place.
Why was Abel’s offering accepted & Cain’s
wasn’t? It’s supposed that animal offerings were more acceptable to God than
grain offerings. Blood sacrifices are superior to harvest offerings -- But Old
Testament Scripture honors both types.
wasn’t? It’s supposed that animal offerings were more acceptable to God than
grain offerings. Blood sacrifices are superior to harvest offerings -- But Old
Testament Scripture honors both types.
The Feast of Firstfruits actually took place
during the week-long Passover celebration (Lev.
23:4–8),
Pentecost occurred fifty days after that Sabbath (vv. 15–16) and marked the culmination of what started at the Feast of Firstfruits. As its name indicates,
the Feast of Firstfruits marked thanksgiving to God for the firstfruits of the
harvest — in this case, the grain and cereal harvested in the spring in ancient
Palestine. At this festival, the Israelites offered the very first sheaf of the
harvest; Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits was the Feast of Weeks, or
Pentecost (from the Greek term pentekostos, or fiftieth), which was the grand
celebration at the end of the grain harvest, (Lev.
23:15–22).
during the week-long Passover celebration (Lev.
23:4–8),
Pentecost occurred fifty days after that Sabbath (vv. 15–16) and marked the culmination of what started at the Feast of Firstfruits. As its name indicates,
the Feast of Firstfruits marked thanksgiving to God for the firstfruits of the
harvest — in this case, the grain and cereal harvested in the spring in ancient
Palestine. At this festival, the Israelites offered the very first sheaf of the
harvest; Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits was the Feast of Weeks, or
Pentecost (from the Greek term pentekostos, or fiftieth), which was the grand
celebration at the end of the grain harvest, (Lev.
23:15–22).
Moreover, the context here says nothing about the
priority of blood sacrifice --
priority of blood sacrifice --
We can find the answer to our initial question of
why one was accepted & the other not in vv. 3 & 4; Cain brought
an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also
brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions.
Rabbinic scholar Umberto Cassuto writes “... it is clear that in regard to Cain
it is stated simply that his offering was of the fruit of the ground,
& in Abel’s case the Bible uses two expressions to emphasize that the
oblation was the best of its kind, firstlings & fat portions. The
distinction is not made pointlessly. . . The Bible wished to convey that while
Abel was concerned to choose the finest thing in his possession, Cain was
indifferent. In other words: Abel endeavored to perform his religious duty
ideally, whereas Cain was content merely to discharge this duty.”
why one was accepted & the other not in vv. 3 & 4; Cain brought
an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also
brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions.
Rabbinic scholar Umberto Cassuto writes “... it is clear that in regard to Cain
it is stated simply that his offering was of the fruit of the ground,
& in Abel’s case the Bible uses two expressions to emphasize that the
oblation was the best of its kind, firstlings & fat portions. The
distinction is not made pointlessly. . . The Bible wished to convey that while
Abel was concerned to choose the finest thing in his possession, Cain was
indifferent. In other words: Abel endeavored to perform his religious duty
ideally, whereas Cain was content merely to discharge this duty.”
Are some of us today any different than Cain was
then? When doing a job in the Marines and afterward to just get it done we’d
say, “ah heck, that’s good enough for government work. Then again you’d have
those eager beavers that would always give 110%.
then? When doing a job in the Marines and afterward to just get it done we’d
say, “ah heck, that’s good enough for government work. Then again you’d have
those eager beavers that would always give 110%.
The difference then & now is a heart
attitude. Cain came to God on his own self-prescribed terms. “I am the master
of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
attitude. Cain came to God on his own self-prescribed terms. “I am the master
of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Cain’s offering wasn’t from faith. He defined
what his sacrifice would be. It’s a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude.
what his sacrifice would be. It’s a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude.
The giveaway for Cain was his countenance; but
for Cain and, for his offering, He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and
his countenance fell.
for Cain and, for his offering, He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and
his countenance fell.
Intervention
But look at how God reacts to Cain;
He stormed around throwing lightning bolts around and yelling “what am I going
to do with you?” No, far from that. There’s no anger, condescending talk, no
ridiculing in the words the Lord speaks. (Vv. 6-7) “Why are you angry?
And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance
be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its
desire is for you, but you must master it.” (A side note here, the word
desire here is the same as when God tells Eve her desire will be for her
husband, meaning control).
He stormed around throwing lightning bolts around and yelling “what am I going
to do with you?” No, far from that. There’s no anger, condescending talk, no
ridiculing in the words the Lord speaks. (Vv. 6-7) “Why are you angry?
And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance
be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its
desire is for you, but you must master it.” (A side note here, the word
desire here is the same as when God tells Eve her desire will be for her
husband, meaning control).
Cain’s downcast face could still
become a happy face.
become a happy face.
God
painted a frightening picture for him but still a picture of hope by saying to
him, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you
must master it. God personified sin as a beast crouching about ready to
pounce on him. (Brings to mind Peter’s letter be on the alert. Your
adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to
devour. 1 Peter 5:8). If Cain didn’t master it, he would be its victim
- That sin at the door was his own sin --
painted a frightening picture for him but still a picture of hope by saying to
him, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you
must master it. God personified sin as a beast crouching about ready to
pounce on him. (Brings to mind Peter’s letter be on the alert. Your
adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to
devour. 1 Peter 5:8). If Cain didn’t master it, he would be its victim
- That sin at the door was his own sin --
We also are given the same warning
in James 1: 14-15 -- each one is tempted when he is carried away and
enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (The ESV says desires,
same, same).
in James 1: 14-15 -- each one is tempted when he is carried away and
enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (The ESV says desires,
same, same).
Cain was standing right at the edge
of hell, sadly though the Lord’s words just bounced off his hardened heart
& with willfulness began his descent into the pit.
of hell, sadly though the Lord’s words just bounced off his hardened heart
& with willfulness began his descent into the pit.
We are given a very short simple
description of this horrendous act of murder.
description of this horrendous act of murder.
There is nothing said of the weapon
used, if there was, that would depersonalize Cain’s murder of his brother. It
doesn’t say how it was done. It is enough just to know that Cain took his
brother’s life. Abel, Cain’s kid brother was, according to Scripture, a good
man, a righteous man and called a prophet by Jesus.
used, if there was, that would depersonalize Cain’s murder of his brother. It
doesn’t say how it was done. It is enough just to know that Cain took his
brother’s life. Abel, Cain’s kid brother was, according to Scripture, a good
man, a righteous man and called a prophet by Jesus.
Why did he do it? Because he hated
Abel? Well, yes & no. Bonhoeffer asks rhetorically the same question: why
& gives the answer, “out of hatred for God.”
Abel? Well, yes & no. Bonhoeffer asks rhetorically the same question: why
& gives the answer, “out of hatred for God.”
Murder is an act of hatred toward
God for making or accepting another who offends us, or troubles us, or is
favored with gifts & honors we don’t have.
God for making or accepting another who offends us, or troubles us, or is
favored with gifts & honors we don’t have.
That’s how it was with David the
murderer of Uriah the Hittite, his loyal general, as is evident by his
confession to God in Psalm 51:4 -- Against you, you only have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight. David was offended with God for
limiting his freedom by forbidding him the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David’s
crime was directed at his restricting God.
murderer of Uriah the Hittite, his loyal general, as is evident by his
confession to God in Psalm 51:4 -- Against you, you only have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight. David was offended with God for
limiting his freedom by forbidding him the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David’s
crime was directed at his restricting God.
Jesus says we are also are exposed
by our hatreds because they are spiritual homicides ultimately directed at God
no matter how private they are. -- Matthew 5: 21-26, “You have heard that
the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits
murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is
angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to
his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court;
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before
the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and
present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you
are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the
judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say
to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
by our hatreds because they are spiritual homicides ultimately directed at God
no matter how private they are. -- Matthew 5: 21-26, “You have heard that
the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits
murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is
angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to
his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court;
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before
the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and
present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you
are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the
judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say
to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
The Confrontation
God was on the spot. Just like with
Adam & Eve after the fall. When God challenged Adam, Adam told the truth,
if not the whole truth, (3:10).
Adam & Eve after the fall. When God challenged Adam, Adam told the truth,
if not the whole truth, (3:10).
On the other hand, Cain told an
outright lie -- Where is your brother? asked the Lord. Cain
responds, ““I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? Today we’d say something close
to, How should I know, hey he’s old enough, of age, I’m no babysitter.
outright lie -- Where is your brother? asked the Lord. Cain
responds, ““I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? Today we’d say something close
to, How should I know, hey he’s old enough, of age, I’m no babysitter.
Now, this time the Lord’s voice may
have thundered over Cain, “What have you done? The voice of your
brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground; Abels’ cry would not
be silenced.
have thundered over Cain, “What have you done? The voice of your
brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground; Abels’ cry would not
be silenced.
Blood & life belong to God
alone; wherever man commits murder he attacks the Lord God’s very own right of
possession. To destroy life goes way beyond man’s proper sphere - Spilled blood
cries aloud to heaven & complains directly to the Lord of Life.
alone; wherever man commits murder he attacks the Lord God’s very own right of
possession. To destroy life goes way beyond man’s proper sphere - Spilled blood
cries aloud to heaven & complains directly to the Lord of Life.
Think of the over 50 million babies
murdered in the womb in just the past 46 years since 1973 alone. Do you realize
that is 49,946,000 more than died in the 20 years of the Vietnam conflict?
murdered in the womb in just the past 46 years since 1973 alone. Do you realize
that is 49,946,000 more than died in the 20 years of the Vietnam conflict?
I can only imagine their voices
possibly mixed in with the voices of the other saints under the throne of God
from Revelation 6: 9-10, When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw
underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word
of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried
out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You
refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
possibly mixed in with the voices of the other saints under the throne of God
from Revelation 6: 9-10, When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw
underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word
of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried
out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You
refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Judgment
Judgment falls, the curse; this is
the first time where man is cursed - Not just a wandering beduin, but all
relationships broken - the earth would be his enemy - he watered it with his
brothers blood, now he was banned from it forever; to wander over it as an
enemy of the earth.
the first time where man is cursed - Not just a wandering beduin, but all
relationships broken - the earth would be his enemy - he watered it with his
brothers blood, now he was banned from it forever; to wander over it as an
enemy of the earth.
Still, there’s Grace
Cain responds in what is the first
lament in Scripture, (vv13-15). He just falls apart. Now he fears that he, who
once was top dog, would be devoured. Civilization apparently was expanding
& some during his lifetime would more than likely seek to avenge Abel’s
blood.
lament in Scripture, (vv13-15). He just falls apart. Now he fears that he, who
once was top dog, would be devoured. Civilization apparently was expanding
& some during his lifetime would more than likely seek to avenge Abel’s
blood.
You can see that in his response he
doesn’t show any compassion or sorrow for the action against his brother, or
even because he sinned against God. He felt fear & self-pity, no remorse.
doesn’t show any compassion or sorrow for the action against his brother, or
even because he sinned against God. He felt fear & self-pity, no remorse.
But amazingly God heard him & responds. (V15)
- whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the
Lord appointed a sign for Cain so that no one finding him would slay him.
- whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the
Lord appointed a sign for Cain so that no one finding him would slay him.
He’s promised by God that any vigilante would be
severely judged; and then marks him with a sign. This didn’t lighten the punishment;
nevertheless, the fear of violent death was removed.
severely judged; and then marks him with a sign. This didn’t lighten the punishment;
nevertheless, the fear of violent death was removed.
What the sign was is not said. There are lots of
speculation, but the important point that must not be overlooked is the Amazing
Grace from the Lord God to the first murderer.
speculation, but the important point that must not be overlooked is the Amazing
Grace from the Lord God to the first murderer.
The Lord didn’t abandon Cain though guilty. When
he arrogantly brought his sparse offering to God, & God saw his evil anger,
God did not turn him away. That’s what we would do. God exhorted him to
withstand temptation - Grace -
he arrogantly brought his sparse offering to God, & God saw his evil anger,
God did not turn him away. That’s what we would do. God exhorted him to
withstand temptation - Grace -
Did Cain ever repent? We don’t know. New
Testament Scripture speaks of Cain in the negative: Jude 11, the way of
Cain; 1 John 3:12, one who was of the evil one & murdered his
brother.
Testament Scripture speaks of Cain in the negative: Jude 11, the way of
Cain; 1 John 3:12, one who was of the evil one & murdered his
brother.
Maybe he repented on his death-bed; we don’t
really know. Cain, just like me & you, was not beyond God’s grace.
really know. Cain, just like me & you, was not beyond God’s grace.
In Conclusion
On this side of the cross, Holy
Scripture, Hebrews 12:24, tells us that in coming to Christ, we come to Jesus,
the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better
than the blood of Abel. Abel’s blood calls for vengeance, yes! So does the blood of
all who are murdered, down to the innocent in the womb. But the shed blood of
Jesus has paid that vengeance & shouts forgiveness to all who come to Him.
Scripture, Hebrews 12:24, tells us that in coming to Christ, we come to Jesus,
the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better
than the blood of Abel. Abel’s blood calls for vengeance, yes! So does the blood of
all who are murdered, down to the innocent in the womb. But the shed blood of
Jesus has paid that vengeance & shouts forgiveness to all who come to Him.
Remember this, Cain’s punishment was
lightened, he was sent east of Eden to wander in the land of Nod, which mean
exile, wanderer, fugitive - Caim was removed east of Eden, further then were
Adam & Eve - Today’s one’s punishment for a crime will be handed out. But
there is a great hope for all, Jesus’ blood will wash away all hidden sins for
those who come to Him & His blood atones also, for our public sins,
whatever they may be.
lightened, he was sent east of Eden to wander in the land of Nod, which mean
exile, wanderer, fugitive - Caim was removed east of Eden, further then were
Adam & Eve - Today’s one’s punishment for a crime will be handed out. But
there is a great hope for all, Jesus’ blood will wash away all hidden sins for
those who come to Him & His blood atones also, for our public sins,
whatever they may be.
No one, no one, nobody, is beyond
grace because the sprinkled blood of Jesus - speaks a better word than
the blood of Abel.
grace because the sprinkled blood of Jesus - speaks a better word than
the blood of Abel.
From
Horatius Bonar:
Horatius Bonar:
Not what my hands have done
Can save my guilty soul
Not what my toiling flesh has borne
Can make my spirit whole.
Thy grace alone, O God,
To me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone O Son of God,
Can this sore bondage break.
John
Newton:
Newton:
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
