Cain & Abel
A Lesson of Sin, Judgment, Grace, Mercy and Faith
Genesis, Chapter 4:1-16
Introduction
In chapter 3 of Genesis the root of sin is introduced to the human race. Through the disobedience of Adam, the “sin nature” is given birth and from that time forward is passed on through the linage (blood line) of men-not women-to every human being. It is Adam’s blood, which is passed on through the male gender that transmits “original sin” (Acts 17:26; Romans 5:12). In chapter 4 there is the inevitable continuation of sin (and its consequences) as a result of inheriting the “sin nature.” But in the saga of Cain and Abel, God also reveals His grace and mercy, attributes that are always centered around “the shedding of blood” in God’s Word.
The Bible is a book of blood. Blood runs the entire gamut of Holy Writ from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible is the only “living” Book (Hebrews 4:12) in the world. It is the only book that gives life (Psalm 119:50). It is “living” and it gives “life” because blood circulates through every book and chapter within it. Blood imparts to this book and to those who read it, the very life of God. The gospel is a message of bloodshed. There should never be an apology by any believer for this fact. That “life is in the blood” is a fact and a typology of Christ shedding His blood on the cross, and it is introduced early in God’s Word (Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 17:11, 14).
Blood circulates throughout the human body, from start to finish, in about every 23 seconds. This fluid touches every cell-feeding and cleansing them-a process called “metabolism.” If this process stops, the body dies-because “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” When Adam sinned, it was his blood and not his flesh that was tainted. The Bible uses the word “flesh” as a typology of sin (Romans 7:5). In many verses you would be correct to substitute the term “sin nature” for the word “flesh,” as is often the case in the NIV version. But the reason that the “flesh” is sinful is that it contains blood from which is derived the “sin nature.”
The fact that sin is in the blood necessitated the “virgin birth” of Jesus Christ. Jesus needed to be a “son of Adam” and yet remain “sinless.” He therefore could not take into Himself the blood of Adam, which was impregnated with sin (sin nature). All men from Adam forward are born in sin, with one exception-Jesus Christ. Even though Jesus was of the seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3), He could remain sinless as long as not one drop of blood from man entered His veins. This was why a virgin had to give birth to Him. How is it physically possible for person born of a woman, absent the impregnation of a man, to be free of blood from a man?
It is fact that in a normal man-woman union, resulting in a fetus, that the blood that flows in the unborn baby is derived only from the male sperm and not from the mother’s seed. An unfertilized ovum can never develop blood by itself, because it simply doesn’t contain the essential elements for this process. Only after the male’s sperm enters the ovum can blood be produced. Remember, “the life of the flesh is in the blood,” therefore, an ovum is not life until the addition of the male element. The male sperm is the source of blood-the seat of life.
Furthermore, not one drop of blood passes from the mother to the child while the child is developing in the mother’s womb. The placenta and the umbilical cord are so constructed so as to filter out the mother’s blood and yet allow into the child soluble nutritive elements such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, salts, minerals and antibodies-and permit the elimination of waste from the child. The nutrients and waste pass through membranes designed to separate the circulations of the baby’s and mother’s blood. (See Howell’s Textbook of Physiology; Williams’ Practice of Obstetrics; Zabriskie’s Nurse’s Handbook of Obstetrics).
In Hebrews 2:14 this is clearly seen, provided one understands the detailed meaning of the original language used in this verse. It reads, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken (Gk: koynoneho-“to share fully”) of flesh and blood, He Himself [Christ] likewise shared (Gk: metecho-“to take part but not all”) in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Mary contributed the body of Jesus and He became the “seed of David according to the flesh,” but the Holy Spirit contributed the blood of Jesus. It is sinless blood. It is divine blood. It is the blood that He shed on the cross of Calvary, which takes away the sins of the world-for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). As stated previously, the Bible is a book of blood. God spilled blood initially to cover Adam and Eve with animal skin after they had sinned to cover their nakedness. This is a typology of the “shedding of blood” at the cross. This same typology is seen in chapter 4 in Abel’s offering to God, which was an offering of faith based on the grace and the mercy of God.
Genesis 4:1-7
Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
The first two children of Adam and Eve were Cain and Abel and later, they gave birth to Seth. Although, due to the extended longevity of life (Adam lived 930 years), Adam and Eve had other children, but the historical account in this chapter is primarily about Cain and Abel. The reason for this particular saga of two brothers becomes apparent as one studies it in light of other scriptures within God’s Word.
First, note that there is no difference in these two brothers, other then they have different occupations and they approached God in dissimilar fashion. They had the same parents, and they were brought up during a time when God continued to manifest Himself in a personal manner to man, as evidenced by the personal conversation between God and Cain later in the chapter. This personal communication, subsequent to the disobedience of Adam and Eve, is evidence of God’s mercy and grace.
Second, note that here is the continuation of two primary occupations-farming and animal husbandry (ranching). The purpose of farming at this point in history was to produce food. The purpose of ranching at this time was not for the production of food, since God did not give animals to man for food until after the Flood (chapter 9). One purpose though, for some of the animals, is revealed-to worship God by means of a blood sacrifice. Previously Adam and Eve carried on both professions, but now their sons branched out into these two specialties. Cain became a farmer, and Abel became a rancher.
Third, note that both Cain and Abel knew to bring an offering to God. God had made known to both of them, either directly or through their parents, the need and effectiveness of a “blood sacrifice”-that is, they were doing it in accordance with “revelation.” To this we can be certain since Abel was the first recorded prophet of God (Luke 11:49-51), and “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
Fourth, and here is the crux of the issue, their offerings were totally different. The difference between the two is as follows:
1. Cain’s offering was one of self-determination and self-works. It denied the revelation from God. It denied that human nature is evil. It denied the separation between man and God. It denied that man’s good works are as “filthy rags” to God (Isaiah 64:6). It denied the principle of faith.
2. Abel’s offering was one of faith. This is for certain, since it is revealed in Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” How was this an act of faith? In Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” God had to have revealed to Cane and Abel how and when to bring forth a sacrifice to Him.
CONCLUSION: Abel did it God’s way and Cain did it his (man’s) way. Jude 11 states, “Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain . . .” What is the “way of Cain?” It is the way of pride in which man declares that he can achieve the approbation (approval) of God by doing something for Him-in other words, he can become acceptable to God through his good deeds and thoughts. This is the way of “religion,” but Christianity is not “religion!” Christianity is a “relationship” or “union” with Jesus Christ and this may be achieved ONLY through FAITH in the shed blood (sacrifice) of Jesus Christ on the cross-that is, a person achieves God’s approval (eternal life) only when he realizes he cannot do anything to save himself and turns (repents) by faith to Jesus Christ, accepting (trusting in) Him as personal Savior, trusting only in the “work” that Jesus did on the cross by taking his sins and paying the penalty for his sins for his personal salvation.
Fifth, note that even though Cain did it his way, God continued to personally deal with him in mercy and grace. God took the initiative (as He does to all mankind today) and came to Cain. God gave Cain a way out-a second chance.
Genesis 4:8-12
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
What audacity! Instead of showing gratitude for the direct intervention by God Himself, Cain allowed his anger, which is born of pride and jealousy, to get the best of him. As a result of this, he planned and executed the death of His brother.
Then, when God reached out to him again, he replied imprudently and irresponsibly, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This reply appears to be even more egregious to God than Cain’s murderous act. Cain refused to take any responsibility for his brother. This illustrates a major truth (lesson) that God would have everyone understand. The truth is this. Before sin can be forgiven, man must take responsibility for (or own up to) it. This is true for the unbeliever in that he must acknowledge his sin and lost condition when coming to Christ. It is also true that the Christian must acknowledge his sins before God on a continuing basis if they are to be forgiven (1 John 1:9).
The result of sin is the judgment of God-no longer will the ground yield its fruit to Cain, and Cain will never again experience “peace,” for he will be a “restless” wanderer for the remainder of his earthly life. But even more, he will no longer experience a direct and personal relationship with God. This is the result for all men who refuse to come to God in “God’s way,” but rather opt to do it “man’s way.”
Genesis 4:13-16
Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." But the LORD said to him, "Not so; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
A review of the remaining verses of the chapter indicates that God continued to show mercy and grace toward Cain by protecting him in his remaining days, and yet, there is little more said of this son of Adam.
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