Jealousy and Murder

Introduction

A. While chapter 4 tells the story of one brother, Cain, murdering his brother, Abel, the story is really a continuation of chapter 3. Sin originates in the heart. This story in chapter 4 follows the same pattern as that of Adam and Eve in chapter 3. Cain sins (vss. 1-8); he tries to evade responsibility for his sin (vss. 9-10); God pronounces consequences on him (vss. 11-16); God puts mankind in a new situation in which he can begin again (vss. 17-26). Sin affects each generation in the same way. God patiently seeks to bring humans back from rebelliousness. This is the case in every generation. Sin separates and has consequences, but God constantly seeks to restore that relationship.

Four Stages of Cain’s Sin

A. Cain brings an inadequate offering to the Lord (vss. 4-5). There is disagreement about Cain’s offering.

1. According to the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) God told Cain and Abel what kind of sacrifice to bring and Cain didn’t. Thus, God was angry with him. This seems to be an addition to tradition rather than actually coming from God.

2. Some say God rejected his offering because it was vegetable rather than animal. However, in time God commanded and accepted fruit rather than animal sacrifices (see Leviticus 2 & Deuteronomy 26:1-11).

3. The text seems to indicate that there are three reasons why God rejected Cain’s sacrifice and accepted Abel’s

   a. Abel gave the Lord the best that he had, but Cain gave a mediocre portion of the fruit of the ground. Cain brought an offering but Abel brought the fat portions. Cain kept the best, but Abel brought the best.

   b. Abel first yielded himself to God and then he brought his sacrifice as a genuine outward expression of his commitment; but Cain was content to give God his sacrifice. Verses 4-5 suggest that God accepted Abel first then his sacrifice and on the other hand, the Lord had no regard first for Cain and then for his sacrifice.

   c. Hebrews 11:4 suggests that Abel trusted in God and not in himself or his sacrifice while Cain trusted in his own goodness at bringing a sacrifice to God.

B. Second, Cain becomes very angry because his sacrifice is rejected. This anger results some type of diminishing of Cain’s resolve. The text does not tell us with whom Cain is angry. It seems that he may well have been angry with both God and Abel. What we can know is that the anger in his heart demonstrates the battle of the mind which takes place before the act of murder.

C. Third, Cain refuses to exert the internal effort necessary to resist temptation. God warns him that “sin is couching at the door” like a wild animal lying in wait to pounce on its prey, God urges Cain to “master it” (v.7). But Cain’s pride has been hurt, and he is so self-centered that he is determined to retaliate by hurting his brother.

D. Finally, Cain plans to murder Abel and carries out his plan when the opportunity arises. This is a case of willful, premeditated murder. Adam and Eve had sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit. Now their son Cain becomes so angry that he murders his brother. Sin against God breeds sin against another person.

E. God establishes consequences for Cain’s sin. No longer will he be able to farm. Instead he will be a wanderer. Cain objects to his punishment pleading for mercy. Interestingly, the one who murdered now wants to be protected from murder. But one thing is easily seen. Cain understands that the consequences of sin is separation from God. As Cain says in verse 14, “I will be hidden from your presence.” Of course, God would still know about Cain but the point is that the Cain would no longer have the relationship with God that he once enjoyed as seen in verses 6-7.

Application

A. Moses in writing about this event seems to have a couple of things in mind. First, he wants to demonstrate again that sin leads to life changing consequences. In Cain’s case, he lost his livelihood and was separated from God. One of the things we need to notice is that God pronounces punishment for Cain’s sin, but there is no repentance on Cain’s part. Never does Cain seem to be sorry for what he has done. Instead he pleads for mercy so that he will not be treated as he treated his own brother. Isn’t that amazing? We all fall into the trap of wanting to be let off the hook for our sin while expecting greater mercy than we demonstrated. We have a tendency to get defensive when confronted with our sin rather than acknowledging that we have sinned and are in need of forgiveness. Cain wanted God’s mercy without repentance. Without repentance God is under no obligation to forgive, but in Cain’s case and as is true in ours, God is still merciful allowing him to live without fear of being treated unfairly.

B. Second, Moses writes this section to demonstrate the two directions of the human race. At the end of chapter 4 and through chapter 5 we have the genealogy of Cain and the genealogy of Adam. In Cain’s lineage we are given a parenthesis. The first part of the parenthesis begins with the pronouncement that Lamech commits bigamy. Tucked inside that parenthesis is the word about Lamech’s children becoming the originators of great things in the world of husbandry, music, and metal working. And then the parenthesis ends with this boastful statement from Lamech. It is a statement of prideful vindictiveness and no hesitancy about killing someone. What began with Cain is found in his descendent Lamech. Sin pervades.

C. On the other hand we have the lineage of Adam given from 4:25 through chapter 5. And with this lineage comes Noah who represents God’s righteousness. The same family but a different direction. The difference is sin.

D. Go back to verses 6 & 7. God gives us some insight into the nature of sin in these two verses. Notice two things. First, sin crouches at the door. Sin is personified in this verse. It is the image of an wild animal getting ready to pounce on its prey. Satan is the originator of evil and sin. He lies in wait hoping to trip us up. Peter uses the same type of language in 1 Peter 5:8 when he writes that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking to devour. Satan does not care about us except to see us fall. ILL. “Jealousy: Competitive Spirit.” God warned Cain in that warning so we too have been warned. Cain’s anger was his warning sign that something else was going to happen. God warned him and he warns us.

E. Second, notice that even in the warning it is not too late to say “no.” God warned Cain, but told him to master the beast of sin. Cain did not and Abel died. Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 says that God always leaves us an escape from sin. God is a god of great mercy. He gives us opportunity to say “no” to sin. He gives us an opportunity to master the beast who wants to devour us. But the choice is ours. Too often like Cain we ignore the warning signs; we ignore the opportunity and as a result we sin willfully and deliberately against God and his will.

F. But, third, notice that God is gracious even in our sin. Cain deserved far worse than what he received at the hand of God. Even the realization of separation did not result in Cain repenting. What would it take to soften your heart? Perhaps today is the day that God is giving you the opportunity to say no to sin. Perhaps this is your opportunity to be convicted that the beast of sin is out to devour you. Do not ignore God’s warning nor this opportunity. Invitation.

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