Having looked at Revelation 21 and the promise of the new heaven and new earth the last couple of weeks, we are going to look at the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Man was once in a blessed position with God as his companion, ruling over the creation God placed him as the head of. But sin made a separation between God and man, a separation only the Son of God could heal.
The first promise of a redeemer appears in Genesis 3:15 when God promises that a descendent of the woman will crush the head of the devil. The apostle John says that the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. Adam, condemned to death because of sin, believed this promise when he named his wife Eve, the mother of all the living (Genesis 3:20).
The story of Cain and Abel is given to teach us from the beginning that the world of fallen man will be divided based on who believes in the promised Savior for deliverance from sin and who does not. Cain and Abel would have been taught this promise by their parents, Adam and Eve.
So, “in the course of time,” the two brothers brought offerings to the Lord (Genesis 4:3), in the context of the promise of a Savior. Both men bring offerings from their vocation; Cain brought an offering from his crops, Abel brought the “firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.”
The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. The New Testament holds out Abel as an example of being righteous through faith (Hebrews 11), but Cain as an example of one under the power of the devil (1st John 3). There is a great separation between the two brothers. Going back to Revelation 21, we can say that Abel inherits the everlasting city of God, but Cain’s place is in the lake of fire.
The difference in the offerings does not appear that great to us; Abel’s offering is noted for bringing the best of his flock and the best portions of the animal, while it is not said that Cain brought the first fruits of his crops. But the Lord isn’t just looking at the offering, he is looking inside the men. He had regard for Abel, that is, the spirit of Abel, but no regard for Cain.
The two brothers are two sinners coming before the Lord in acts of worship. They could not come if the Lord had not promised a Savior. Abel knows his sin; he knows his need of grace. He brings an offering in faith, from a thankful heart for the mercies of the Lord. He gives his best, not grudgingly, but as one whose hope is in the Lord.
Cain undoubtedly worked hard in his field. He considered his offering sufficient, but he gave as a Pharisee, treating it as an external, necessary act. That mentality has little tolerance for correction (or generosity). He thinks he should be commended for giving anything of his hard-earned crop.
Cain’s reaction to the Lord’s rejection of his offering demonstrates this. He literally became hot with anger and his face fell (verse 5). He might as well as said to the Lord, “If that isn’t good enough for you, forget it.”
The Lord shows patience with Cain. He appeals to him to rethink his position; “If you do will you not be accepted?” He warns him that sin is crouching like a fierce beast to consume him (verse 7). It is the kindness of the Lord that leads us to repentance. He loves mercy. The Lord doesn’t need Cain’s offering; he is teaching Cain the great need of grace Cain has.
Sinful man has no right to anything but death. He lives entirely on the charity and grace of God’s forbearance. Nothing gives a sense of entitlement like sin. Sin embitters the soul and causes every vain thought and every selfish deed. But worst of all, sin causes resistance against God. The Lord appealed to Cain. When you have heard the word of God, you have been appealed to by God.
There is a reason the Lord says that the poor in spirit are blessed. The poor in spirit respond humbly to the Lord. They know their sin, how great salvation is, and how great a Savior Christ is. They are like stingy Zacchaeus, who after coming to Christ and no longer being chained to sin, gives an abundance joyfully. Help us, O Lord, deliver us from the folly of sin and the way of Cain.
