Genesis 4:1-16
There are three things this passage teaches us: (1.) Original sin is in our DNA, (2.) Human righteousness is a treadmill to nowhere, and (3.) God’s grace is our ticket to life, now and forever.
Sin in our DNA. There is nothing like the birth of a child to bring joy and hope to a parent’s heart. So it was for Cain’s parents when he was born. Even so, Cain was his parents’ son – shaped by their DNA as well as their sinful nature. When we think of Cain and Abel, we tend to focus on Cain as the murderer and that is all we see. But Cain had a good start in life. Eve said that Cain was born as a blessing from the Lord. He was not riding around on camels drinking, smoking, and partying. No. He was a good son who worked as a farmer who he believed in and talked with God.
Abel was born next. Abel means breath, wind, or vapor. It’s the same word used in Ecclesiastes when it talks about vanities of vanities, life is like a puff of wind – here one moment and gone the next. Abel was a shepherd, a keeper of animals. Sin was in their blood as they were both born after the Fall.
Treadmill to Nowhere. As brothers they both brought offerings to the Lord. Cain’s offering was based on the harvest of his work as a farmer. Abel brought a “firstling” from his flock. The offerings of these two brothers helps us understand this: Why did God have regard for one offering and not the other? Why did God like Abel’s offering and not Cain’s? It seems like they both did a good thing, right? Our first clue is the word “firstling.” We read “… Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock” (v. 4). (According to theologian Sidney Greidenas,) Abel obeyed God’s law which called for an offering of the very best: The first-born, no blemishes, including the fat portions for burning on the altar.
Cain, on the other hand, just brought some “…fruit of the ground.” The word first is nowhere to be found in describing his offering. When instructing the Israelites about proper offerings in Leviticus 2:14, God clearly spells out that, if you bring a grain offering, it must be from the first fruits. Cain’s offering took time and effort from his labor. But it was not from the first fruits of his labor or harvest which is why God skipped Cain’s and “had regard for Abel’s offering.” The big difference between the two was faith. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel’s offering was brought to the LORD out of faith. Abel understood the source of his blessings to be God. That’s faith. Cain saw his own efforts as the reason God should bless him. That’s works righteousness and it’s like being on a spiritual treadmill to nowhere. Our deeds might please us but it’s the faith in our hearts that please God.
Grace of God. God reached out to Cain and tried to help him understand how sin works. “…if you do well, will you not be accepted?” If you have faith in Me, will you not be accepted?” but Cain showed no interest. When God warned him that sin was couching at the door, and that he should master it, Cain seems like he’s indifferent. Next thing we see is Cain allowing his sinful nature to get the best of him when he kills his brother in a fit of jealousy and rage. Cain seemed more afraid that someone would do him harm than suffering the just consequences of his sin. God was merciful in letting him live and marking him so his life would be spared. You would think that it would have taken several generations for the sin of Adam and Eve to spiral out of control. But here we see that, in just one generation, sin is tearing down the life and blessing God had intended for creation; filling it with death and brokenness. This passage ends on a dark note: Abel is dead, and Cain has turned his back on the LORD. There’s nothing hopeful about it. That’s why it’s important to consider the big picture to see God’s faithfulness and mercy. It must have been very disappointing for Adam and Eve as parents: Their oldest son violently kills his brother, Abel has no children, and Cain’s children seemed to double down on their father’s sinful ways. But there is a seed of hope! God blesses Adam and Eve with another son, Seth, a name which means the Appointed One. Seth is the one through whom God will accomplish His purposes.
God does not fail us. When sin seems to take control, God gives us the ability to master it. Our faith in God and the knowledge of His Word will aid us in our battles. God’s grace is with us. It is only through Him that we are saved and it is only by His grace in Christ that we can know and follow Him. We are created for blessing and life, we are the seed of hope!