[Don’t be like] Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. - 1 John 3:12
Over the past few weeks we have read about Adam and Eve, their sin in the garden, and its devastating consequences. We have talked about how their disobedience corrupted all of humanity. All people are born with a sinful nature which is passed down from Adam and Eve, and all freely choose to sin against God. Fortunately, even as the LORD was punishing Adam and Eve for their iniquity, He foretold of His plan to redeem mankind.
Today and for the next few Sundays we will be talking about Adam and Eve’s children and/or their descendants. This morning’s message comes from Genesis 4:1-15. It is titled “Cain Murders Abel”.
I. OFFERINGS GIVEN (v1-5a)
Sometime after being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve began having children. Cain was their firstborn son. Eve was delighted to have birthed a child with God’s help so she named him Cain which means “gotten one”. She conceived again and gave birth to his younger brother Abel, which may mean “breath”, “vapor”, or “shepherd”.
Several years passed as these boys grew into young men. Cain became a farmer - “a cultivator of the ground”. Abel became a shepherd - “a keeper of flocks”. At some point, the brothers brought sacrifices to God. Though not stated directly, it seems that the LORD had revealed to them the need to offer sacrifices as an act of worship. The implication is that God gave them instructions about how to do so.
Cain brought some produce from his field. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and its fatty portions. The LORD approved of Abel’s offering, but had no regard for Cain’s offering. Again, the Bible doesn’t clearly explain God’s reasoning, but there are several possibilities.
Some have suggested that God accepted Abel’s offering because it was an animal sacrifice and rejected Cain’s because it wasn’t. As we’ve discussed previously, God views animal life more highly than plant life. Under the Mosaic Law (which wasn’t yet in place), animal sacrifices were necessary to atone for sin. That said, grain offerings were given as a means of expressing thanksgiving. Thus, both were acceptable, though not equal in potency.
Others suppose that God accepted Abel’s offering because it was the firstborn of his flock, while Cain’s was just some (not necessarily the first portion) of his produce. The Bible commands that we give of the firstfruits (Exodus 23:19), not just from the leftovers or surplus that we have. This practice prioritizes God and expresses faith in His provision.
Finally, some believe that God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s because of the spirit with which it was given. Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, while Cain did not (Hebrews 11:4). Cain’s insolent attitude is evident in His response to the LORD's disapproval.
II. MURDER COMMITTED (v5b-8)
Cain became very angry that God didn’t approve of his sacrifice. The LORD asked Cain why he was so upset. God said, “If you do well, your countenance will be lifted up.” Some Bibles translate this to say, “If you do well, you will be accepted.” The context suggests that Cain had not done well, and therefore his offering had been rejected.
God further warned Cain that if his attitude did not change, sin would overtake him. God described sin as crouching in wait at the door, waiting to pounce at any moment. This is one of the most vivid and unsettling depictions of sin in the entire Bible. God told Cain that he must “rule over it” which is to say that he needed to actively exercise discipline and self-control to overcome his bitterness and temptation.
Unfortunately, Cain did not listen to or heed God’s warning. Instead, he went out and confronted his brother in the field. Enraged, Cain rose up and killed his brother Abel. This is the first instance of murder in the Bible (in human history). Already the manner of and severity of sin was beginning to increase. As generations passed by, it would become much worse…
III. PUNISHMENT RENDERED (v9-15)
The LORD spoke to Cain again asking, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain disrespectfully answered, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” His snide response revealed his hatred for his brother. While we don’t necessarily bear full responsibility for protecting or providing for other people, we as Christians are to care for and look out for each other, especially within the church. In this sense, we are our brothers’ keepers.
God knew what Cain had done and, figuratively speaking, Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Hebrews 12:24). God told Cain that the soil would no longer produce crops for him. Instead, he would be a vagrant and wanderer on the earth for the remainder of his life. Cain cried out that this punishment was too harsh and that someone would surely find him and kill him. Therefore, God appointed a sign for Cain so that no one would take his life. God stated that if anyone killed Cain, vengeance would be taken on him sevenfold.
Earlier in this sermon I mentioned that the Law of Moses had not yet been given. Neither had the Noahic Covenant, which we will discuss later in this series. Both of these justice systems require capital punishment for those who commit murder. However, seeing that neither of these were in place, God punished Cain to be a fugitive and drifter. This was a severe punishment that Cain believed to be even worse than death.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there are several factors to consider when making an offering to God. The LORD is pleased by offerings that are of the right type, the right quality, and given with the right motivation. We are to give cheerfully of our first and best (2 Corinthians 9:7). This includes our time, talents, and so on. One of the greatest ways to worship the LORD is through giving. Ask yourselves… Are my offerings pleasing to God?
Cain had inherited his patents’ knowledge of good and evil, and like them, he chose to do evil. God lovingly gave him an opportunity to change his attitude and to make an acceptable offering, but he stubbornly refused. Instead, Cain allowed his emotions to control him and ended up killing his brother. Friends, sin is patiently waiting to ambush you at any moment - don’t give it any quarter in your life!
Having to live with your guilt can be a greater punishment than death. God didn’t allow anyone to kill Cain, thereby prolonging his life and the shame he carried. The Bible strongly insinuates that Cain never expressed any remorse for and/or repented of his sin. That said, if you have sinned against the LORD, don’t be like Cain. Confess your sin, turn from it, and receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Over the past few weeks we have read about Adam and Eve, their sin in the garden, and its devastating consequences. We have talked about how their disobedience corrupted all of humanity. All people are born with a sinful nature which is passed down from Adam and Eve, and all freely choose to sin against God. Fortunately, even as the LORD was punishing Adam and Eve for their iniquity, He foretold of His plan to redeem mankind.
Today and for the next few Sundays we will be talking about Adam and Eve’s children and/or their descendants. This morning’s message comes from Genesis 4:1-15. It is titled “Cain Murders Abel”.
I. OFFERINGS GIVEN (v1-5a)
Sometime after being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve began having children. Cain was their firstborn son. Eve was delighted to have birthed a child with God’s help so she named him Cain which means “gotten one”. She conceived again and gave birth to his younger brother Abel, which may mean “breath”, “vapor”, or “shepherd”.
Several years passed as these boys grew into young men. Cain became a farmer - “a cultivator of the ground”. Abel became a shepherd - “a keeper of flocks”. At some point, the brothers brought sacrifices to God. Though not stated directly, it seems that the LORD had revealed to them the need to offer sacrifices as an act of worship. The implication is that God gave them instructions about how to do so.
Cain brought some produce from his field. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and its fatty portions. The LORD approved of Abel’s offering, but had no regard for Cain’s offering. Again, the Bible doesn’t clearly explain God’s reasoning, but there are several possibilities.
Some have suggested that God accepted Abel’s offering because it was an animal sacrifice and rejected Cain’s because it wasn’t. As we’ve discussed previously, God views animal life more highly than plant life. Under the Mosaic Law (which wasn’t yet in place), animal sacrifices were necessary to atone for sin. That said, grain offerings were given as a means of expressing thanksgiving. Thus, both were acceptable, though not equal in potency.
Others suppose that God accepted Abel’s offering because it was the firstborn of his flock, while Cain’s was just some (not necessarily the first portion) of his produce. The Bible commands that we give of the firstfruits (Exodus 23:19), not just from the leftovers or surplus that we have. This practice prioritizes God and expresses faith in His provision.
Finally, some believe that God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s because of the spirit with which it was given. Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, while Cain did not (Hebrews 11:4). Cain’s insolent attitude is evident in His response to the LORD's disapproval.
II. MURDER COMMITTED (v5b-8)
Cain became very angry that God didn’t approve of his sacrifice. The LORD asked Cain why he was so upset. God said, “If you do well, your countenance will be lifted up.” Some Bibles translate this to say, “If you do well, you will be accepted.” The context suggests that Cain had not done well, and therefore his offering had been rejected.
God further warned Cain that if his attitude did not change, sin would overtake him. God described sin as crouching in wait at the door, waiting to pounce at any moment. This is one of the most vivid and unsettling depictions of sin in the entire Bible. God told Cain that he must “rule over it” which is to say that he needed to actively exercise discipline and self-control to overcome his bitterness and temptation.
Unfortunately, Cain did not listen to or heed God’s warning. Instead, he went out and confronted his brother in the field. Enraged, Cain rose up and killed his brother Abel. This is the first instance of murder in the Bible (in human history). Already the manner of and severity of sin was beginning to increase. As generations passed by, it would become much worse…
III. PUNISHMENT RENDERED (v9-15)
The LORD spoke to Cain again asking, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain disrespectfully answered, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” His snide response revealed his hatred for his brother. While we don’t necessarily bear full responsibility for protecting or providing for other people, we as Christians are to care for and look out for each other, especially within the church. In this sense, we are our brothers’ keepers.
God knew what Cain had done and, figuratively speaking, Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Hebrews 12:24). God told Cain that the soil would no longer produce crops for him. Instead, he would be a vagrant and wanderer on the earth for the remainder of his life. Cain cried out that this punishment was too harsh and that someone would surely find him and kill him. Therefore, God appointed a sign for Cain so that no one would take his life. God stated that if anyone killed Cain, vengeance would be taken on him sevenfold.
Earlier in this sermon I mentioned that the Law of Moses had not yet been given. Neither had the Noahic Covenant, which we will discuss later in this series. Both of these justice systems require capital punishment for those who commit murder. However, seeing that neither of these were in place, God punished Cain to be a fugitive and drifter. This was a severe punishment that Cain believed to be even worse than death.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there are several factors to consider when making an offering to God. The LORD is pleased by offerings that are of the right type, the right quality, and given with the right motivation. We are to give cheerfully of our first and best (2 Corinthians 9:7). This includes our time, talents, and so on. One of the greatest ways to worship the LORD is through giving. Ask yourselves… Are my offerings pleasing to God?
Cain had inherited his patents’ knowledge of good and evil, and like them, he chose to do evil. God lovingly gave him an opportunity to change his attitude and to make an acceptable offering, but he stubbornly refused. Instead, Cain allowed his emotions to control him and ended up killing his brother. Friends, sin is patiently waiting to ambush you at any moment - don’t give it any quarter in your life!
Having to live with your guilt can be a greater punishment than death. God didn’t allow anyone to kill Cain, thereby prolonging his life and the shame he carried. The Bible strongly insinuates that Cain never expressed any remorse for and/or repented of his sin. That said, if you have sinned against the LORD, don’t be like Cain. Confess your sin, turn from it, and receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ.