Genesis 4:1-15: Cain and Abel
Attention
1. The story of Cain and Abel is familiar to almost
everyone; even Biblical illiterates know something about it.
a. They say that familiarity
breeds contempt. In this case, perhaps familiarity sometimes breeds complacency.
b. We may overlook familiar OT
stories and their practicality; we know them, so we don’t read carefully.
2. Every time we read through the Bible we can and should
discover new things we missed before.
a. Bible reading and study is
an adventure, a treasure hunt; we need to read with the enthusiasm of discovery.
b. Even when nothing new
is learned, sometimes returning to old stories can renew our appreciation for
them.
3. Cain and Abel are characters we can relate to; their
story teaches us very valuable lessons for today. 4:1-15
I.
Observations on the Story
A.
Two Different Men
1.
Cain and Abel were brothers, but history remembers their differences more
than similarities.
a)
Cain was a farmer; Abel was a shepherd.
b)
Cain appears to have been casually religious; Abel was devout in his
worship of God.
c)
Cain was given to violent anger; Abel was the victim of his brother’s
anger.
2.
Despite these differences, Cain and Abel also shared several things in
common.
a)
Both were sons of Adam and Eve; Cain was the older of the two brothers.
b)
Both worshipped God; both brought offerings from the fruit of their
labors.
c)
Both shared communication with God; they knew God’s favor; Cain
interacted with God.
B.
Two Different Outcomes
1.
Genesis repeatedly shows the patriarchs offering sacrifice to God.
(13:4, 18; 22:13; 26:25; 33:20)
a)
The nature and function of these sacrifices is not stated in Genesis.
(1)
These sacrifices were clearly intended to worship God and give Him honor.
12:7-8
(2)
The sacrifices acknowledged God’s greatness and goodness. 35:3
b)
Job establishes a connection between patriarchal sacrifice and
atonement. Job 1:5
(1)
Burnt offerings were the most common patriarchal offerings. (cf. 22:6-9)
(2)
The connection between death and atonement started in the Garden of Eden.
3:21
2.
What prompted Cain and Abel to bring sacrifices at this time is unknown.
a)
Clearly they spoke freely with God, but what He revealed to them we do
not know.
b)
Both brothers made offerings, but the sacrifices are contrasted by
substance and success.
3.
Typically God’s reaction is explained as relating to the substance each
man offered.
a)
Abel brought a blood sacrifice, Cain did not; this is thought to justify
God’s response.
b)
But we should not overlook the other factors involved in this story that
the Bible highlights.
4.
What made Abel’s offering superior to his brother’s? What distinguished
the two sacrifices?
a)
Abel’s was a blood sacrifice; Cain’s offering was some of the fruit of
his farming.
(1)
In view of the evidence given above, it is certainly possible this was a
factor.
(2)
But burnt offerings were not the exclusive means of worship. 35:14
(3)
Furthermore, this particular distinction is never emphasized in Biblical
commentary.
(4)
While it is possible this was a key factor, the Bible draws other
distinctions as well.
b)
Abel brought the best of his flock; no mention is made of the quality of
Cain’s offering.
(1)
Abel’s sacrifice consisted of the firstlings of the flock and their fat.
(2)
The contrast seems to suggest that Cain was more casual in his approach
to God.
(3)
Cain had the opportunity to gain God’s favor on the same terms as Abel,
but did not.
(4)
Cain’s violent anger and his willingness to argue with God indicate his
irreverence.
c)
Abel’s sacrifice was offered by faith; faith made his worship
more excellent. He. 11:4
(1)
The faith seen in his sacrifice testified to Abel’s righteousness.
(2)
This righteousness was likewise affirmed by God, who saw Abel’s faith in
action.
(3)
Though Cain made an offering to God, he did not offer it by faith; he did
not do well.
(4)
The true spiritual character of both men was revealed in what they did
and how.
II.
Applications of the Story
A.
Lessons from Abel
1.
Give God Your Best
a)
Abel gave God the firstlings of his flock and their fat; he gave the best
of what he had.
b)
God deserves to be honored with our very best; anything less dishonors
Him. Ma. 1:6-8, 14
c)
How do we sometimes give God less than our best? By being casual in
worship as Cain was.
(1)
We are in God’s presence; many don’t sing; they look around or play with
babies.
(2)
What’s the point of being here if we do not intend to worship acceptably?
d)
Worship is serious business; we need to prepare for it mentally,
physically, and spiritually.
2.
Act by Faith
a)
Abel’s sacrifice was more excellent than Cain’s because it was offered to
God by faith.
b)
Worship cannot substitute for genuine faith; without faith we cannot
please God. He. 11:6
c)
What does it mean to live and worship by faith?
(1)
Faith seeks the will of God expressed in the word of God. Ro. 10:17
(2)
Faith acts on the basis of firm belief and confidence in God. 2Co.
5:1-9
d)
Faith without works is dead, but work without faith is pointless; faith
trusts and obeys God.
3.
Live so that Your Life Will Speak Beyond the Grave
a)
Even though we know little about Abel, what we know continues to speak of
him. He. 11:4
b)
Our lives can have lasting meaning and will speak in eternity if lived
for God. 2Ti. 4:6-8
c)
Some seek immorality by earthly accomplishment; we seek eternal
recognition by God.
(1)
Your faith can outlast your body. (E.g. Betty Haynes, Vivian Whitlock)
(2)
Even though saints will be forgotten on earth, they will not be forgotten
by God.
d)
You might win fame on earth, but only faith can offer comfort and hope
beyond the grave.
B.
Lessons from Cain
1.
Do Your Own Work
a)
Cain was bitter about Abel’s success instead of rectifying the
deficiencies of his own work.
b)
Acceptance by God depends on what we do, not on what others do or don’t
do. Ga. 6:2-5
c)
Instead of a competitive spirit, we need to continually compare ourselves
to the Savior.
(1)
Jesus is our standard, not any brother in the pew.
(2)
Our rejoicing ought to be in Christ, not in comparisons to another.
2Co. 10:12, 17-18
d)
Jealousy, bitterness, and anger destroyed Cain; beware lest it destroy
any of us as well.
2.
Beware of Sin
a)
When Cain grew angry, sin gained an opportunity; God warned him to rule
over it. Ge. 4:7
b)
Sin is opportunistic and predatory but it is not all-powerful; we can
overcome it.
c)
Sin is looking for an opportunity to harm us; our choices can defeat it
or enable it to enter.
(1)
Anger and hatred open the door for sin to come in. Eph. 4:26-27
(2)
We should beware of positions of spiritual vulnerability. Eph. 5:6-11
d)
We need to examine ourselves daily to identify weaknesses that sin may
exploit.
3.
Do Not Separate Your Relationship with Men from Your Relationship with
God
a)
Cain famously asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer is, “Yes and
No.”
b)
Our relationship with God cannot be separated from relationships with
men. 1Jn. 4:20-21
c)
I am not responsible for my brother’s actions; I am responsible for my
actions toward him.
(1)
Anger, bitterness, jealousy, and sin against a brother will alienate me
from God.
(2)
Christianity is a practical religion; duty to God includes duty to
others. Mt. 22:37-39
d)
Ultimately each stands alone before God, but judgment will include our
response to others.
Action
1. The story of Cain and Abel is so familiar we may
overlook the very practical applications arising from it.
2. It isn’t enough to bring an offering to God; we need to
do so by faith, with reverence, to be accepted by Him.
3. If you are not a Christian, will you do well by
obeying Christ so that you may be accepted? Mk. 16:16