GENESIS: Reboot Study
Chapter 4
Part 2
By Dr. Robert Fieldhouse, Disciples Path Ministry – St. Augustine, Fla.
On several occasions, I have made the point that no one on this side of Heaven knows the genuine explanations for what we read in our Bible. Remember that what we are unpacking here is opinion, not the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What I offer is based on multiple resources, which I believe to be more credible than others, and my opinions are grounded in my private research, decades of reflection, and extensive schooling. Once more – use what I share as a springboard for your research.
Genesis 4:6-7 (read) fit together well, and I believe the author's message gains greater significance when read in conjunction. Why was Cain angry, and who was he angry with? One explanation could be that Cain's anger was the result of unmet expectations, wounded pride, or the absence of genuine faith in his offering. One or a combination of those reasons would lead to feelings of rejection and jealousy toward his brother, or another explanation could be that he was angry with God for rejecting his offering and took it as a personal attack on his sincerity. Regardless of the actual reason or reasons, Cain must have had to reflect on his emotions at some point. We discover next that God encourages Cain to choose righteousness, assuring him that doing well will lead to acceptance. Now, we must decide upon our own understanding of the definition of righteousness. Let's reflect on a couple of possibilities of the definition that would impact our understanding of the words, choosing righteousness, and assuring him that doing well will lead to acceptance. In essence, righteousness involves a transformative relationship with God, where one's life increasingly reflects His will and character. This transformation is made possible not by personal merit but through faith. To confuse us, we find true righteousness is not attainable through human efforts alone. Isaiah 64:6 illustrates that human righteous acts are like "filthy rags" before God, emphasizing the insufficiency of our deeds. So, where do we go with all that information?
All I can assume is that because Cain's "countenance fell," his anger was initially based on his confusion. Next, I would think his confusion turned toward jealousy of his brother for one reason or another. The confusion and jealousy would lead to a wave of anger directed at God. Possibly because God loved Abel more? Perhaps because God thought an animal was a more excellent offering than food from the ground? I believe Abel made the time and effort to select the finest of his flock. Cain did not make as strong an effort, possibly offering quantity over quality. This leads me to conclude that Cain was angry with himself because of his decision-making.
Moving forward, God knows the results anger leads to. God may have been less enthused with Cain's offering, but His love for Cain was by no means diminished. Out of God's love for Cain, He warns him that failing to do right allows Sin to lie in wait, like a predator ready to pounce. He warns Sin lies at the door. God emphasizes that while Sin desires to control, Cain has the responsibility and ability to master it. This passage underscores the concept of personal accountability and the perpetual struggle against Sin, highlighting the importance of vigilance and self-control in overcoming sinful inclinations, as anger can undoubtedly lead one down the wrong path. This leads me to believe that the acceptance was not about God accepting or rejecting Cain's offering but about Cain's reaction, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
All God was saying was He was not as pleased with Cain's offering, but that in no way diminished his love for him, and that anger would certainly distance Him from Cain, but not by choice. Doesn't this part of Cain and Abel's story remind you of Adam and Eve's choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? I digress. We will combine Verses again as a whole, but we will also briefly examine each Verse separately. When I combine Verses, I do it because it is how I can best understand the stories. This in no way means you should always follow my method. Remember, this is a personal journey for you, and you must come to your own conclusions using your own methods.
Genesis 4:8-12 (read) describes the result of Cain's interaction with his brother Abel. 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (NKJV) Cain lures Abel out into the field, and there, in a moment of jealousy and anger, he murders him. This act is the first recorded murder in the Bible. It might interest you, as it did me initially, about the age of Cain and Abel when this all occurred. The Bible does not explicitly state the ages of Cain and Abel when Cain killed Abel. However, we can surmise some possibilities based on context. For instance, they were likely adults. Cain and Abel were working (Cain as a farmer and Abel as a shepherd), and they were old enough to be independently responsible for their professions. Another possibility is that they may have been over 100 years old. Genesis 5:3 states that Adam was 130 years old when he had his third son, Seth (who we will discuss later). Since Cain and Abel were born before Seth, they could have been anywhere from young adults to over 100 years old at Abel's murder. I also read that some Jewish traditions suggest they were in their 20s, while others propose a broader age range since people in early Genesis lived much longer than modern lifespans. Let us conclude that, while we can't know their exact age, the context suggests they were mature enough to manage their own work and offer sacrifices to God, making them, at the very least, middle-aged adults (all things being relative for their time in ancient history). Let's move on. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (NKJV) God asks Cain where Abel is, giving him a chance to confess. Remember, God, being God, of course, knew where Abel was; however, Cain responds with a lie and a rhetorical question that shows his indifference to his brother's fate. His response implies a rejection of any responsibility for Abel. Even though God already knows everything, as stated in Psalm 139:1-4, Hebrews 4:13, and Proverbs 15:3, He sometimes asks questions (as with Cain) to allow people to confess and repent. Trying to lie to God only leads to self-deception, as He always knows the truth. Self-deception is a topic too vast to cover in this narrative. However, as we continue our study of Scripture, we will see self-deception become a common theme. Sadly, self-deception remains a widespread component of humankind's makeup; therefore, we will touch on it (identify it) here and there throughout our studies. Before moving on, note that the words 'confess' and 'repent' are in boldface above. We will discover how self-deception is intimately linked with confessing and repenting as we continue our Scriptural reflection Reboot study. Let's move on. 10 And he said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. (NKJV) In this verse, God directly confronts Cain, saying that Abel's blood is crying for justice. We can assume that God is aware of the injustice and that Abel's death has not gone unnoticed by Him. Notice that God offers another opportunity for confession and repentance by asking Cain, What have you done?" 11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. (NKJV) As punishment, Cain is cursed and can no longer farm the ground effectively. The earth, once fertile for him, will now resist his efforts, symbolizing how Cain's Sin has disrupted the natural order. Let's take this opportunity to define the word "cursed" as it is used in our Bible. In the Bible, "cursed" refers to being under Divine judgment or condemnation, often due to Sin or disobedience. It signifies separation from God's Blessing, hardship, or a state of Divine punishment. I mention this definition because, over the years, I have found that many people think of the word cursed as some Hocus-Pocus magic like we see in movies. As stated above, it means a separation from God's Blessing. A correct understanding of the definition of "cursed," as used in our Bible, is imperative as we move forward in Scripture. Using our knowledge of the word "cursed" and making time for reflection adds much depth to the sentence - So now you are cursed from the earth. 12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth." (NKJV) Interestingly, Cain's punishment is twofold. He will struggle to grow crops and become a wanderer without a home or a place of stability. This punishment sets the stage for Cain's future as a fugitive, separated from his family and society. I will conclude here that the second part of Cain's punishment will become, and still is, a major point of contention amongst Believers and Biblical scholars. We need not go far to discover how this punishment will define a future segment of humankind. And yes, we still suffer from a cultural divide because of it – but more on that later.
What are some conclusions we can draw from Genesis 4:8-12? Cain's murder of Abel shows the destructive power of Sin, particularly jealousy and anger. The consequences are both personal (alienation from the earth) and relational (separation from God and his family). Cain's dismissive response to God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" highlights a failure to recognize a moral responsibility for others. Removing the characters involved in the story of Cain and Abel, so far, symbolically, what is the lesson, or lessons, to be learned by us? Is it possible we, humankind, still Sin (even murder) and still deny our Sin before God? Genesis 4:8-12 warns us about the dangers of sin, the importance of responsibility, and the certainty of God's justice. However, it also points out that, even in judgment, God is merciful. Cain's story serves as a warning, yet it also holds out hope. Unlike Cain, we can choose to:
. Control our emotions before they lead to Sin.
. Take responsibility for our actions.
. Control our emotions before they lead to Sin.
. Take responsibility for our actions.
. Live with integrity, knowing nothing is hidden from God.
. Seek both justice and mercy in how we treat others.
. Break cycles of Sin and choose a life of righteousness.
. Seek both justice and mercy in how we treat others.
. Break cycles of Sin and choose a life of righteousness.
By applying these lessons, we can live wisely and in alignment with God's will, avoiding the mistakes Cain made.
How did Cain react to this punishment, and is there a lesson for us in this part? Let's find out. 13 And Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! 14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me." (NKJV) Now we see where Cain realizes the severity of his punishment and expresses his despair. Interestingly, instead of remorse for killing Abel, Cain focuses on himself and his punishment, not his Sin. This statement reveals his self-centered attitude; he is more concerned with the consequences than with repentance.
My takeaway is that Sin brings consequences, and we must take responsibility rather than complain about the results. Let's unpack Verse 14. Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground. A fair explanation would be that Cain will struggle with farming because the land is cursed for him. Do you recall what we learned about the word cursed as used in our Bible? I digress. I shall be hidden from your face. Cain fears his separation from God's presence, although he has already distanced himself Spiritually. I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth. A fugitive and a vagabond tells me he will now, and forever, live a restless, unstable life without a permanent home. Lastly, And it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me. Cain appears to fear revenge from others. Wait! Who could the others be? My best guess is that it could be related to people associated with him (e.g., his parents) or even future individuals. Sadly, he complains about his punishment instead of seeking God's forgiveness. His response teaches us to face our mistakes with repentance, not self-pity.
There is much to reflect on so far, so we will close this with a Verse that seems to logically draw an end to the narrative up to this point. 15 And the Lord said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. (NKJV) God protects Cain by warning that anyone who kills him will suffer a punishment seven times worse. This act by God demonstrates that, even though Cain was guilty, God did not permit vigilante justice. Again, we see God's Mercy even though Cain, in my opinion, does not deserve it. Now, the meaning of the mark on Cain is contested by scholars. The mark is debated as physical, symbolic, or Divine protection. Regardless of the actual explanation of the mark, we know it was meant to protect Cain from being killed by others. The phrase lest anyone finding him should kill him must mean, at least to me, that God was ensuring that Cain would not be murdered despite his punishment of wandering.
Until our following study, let's reflect on some of the content discussed in this narrative, like God's justice is balanced with His Mercy, we are not to take revenge on others, and Sin has consequences; however, God offers grace, and even when we fail, God provides opportunities for protection and redemption.
In your journal, write why do you think Cain was angry.
. Why do you think Cain murdered his brother?
. Why do you think Cain's punishment was twofold?
. Why do you think Cain's punishment was twofold?
. How does Sin affect us?
. Are we our brothers' keeper? Why or why not?