Genesis 4

Why was Abel’s offering accepted and Cain’s wasn’t? Many have speculated, but the indication in the text is that Able gave his best (“the firstborn”) while Cain simply gave “an offering.” We also have an explanation in the New Testament:

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks” (WEB).

Without faith and a desire to follow God it’s very easy to let ourselves be driven by emotions. Pride, hatred, and deception can even lead to murder. Once we let sin rule us, we end up being guided by it rather than God. And the escalation in sin brings a more severe punishment. Murder brings expulsion from the community, but with grace. Cain has a mark of identification and protection, even though he is still unrepentant.

Cain marries (apparently a sister), and the text lists his descendants and their accomplishments. Although we are not destined to follow in the steps of our ancestors, genetics and examples still have profound effects on us. Generations later we find Lamech engaging in bigamy, vengeance, and murder. He is the one who reminds us of his ancestry, and his arrogance claims an even greater divine protection than Cain had!

Adam and Eve have another son, Seth, who is a forefather of the Messiah (Luke 3:38). In fact, it’s from his birth onward that worship seems to take on a more public and corporate expression.

Genesis 4:26 “A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the LORD’s name” (WEB).

Thought for the day: How can we subdue sin in our lives?

2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”