Genesis 4
Feeling the Effects of Sin

V.1 “Cain” -, “I’ve got him” or “here he is.”

Could this be the promised seed? (Genesis 3:15).

Speculation:

James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.

V.3-5 Approaching God in worship

Gen. 3:21 “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”

1. Abel brought the “first born” (Mark of faith).
2. Choice portions.
3. Abel’s sacrifice was a blood sacrifice.

More Speculation:

1. Maybe Cain held back like Ananias and Sapphira
2. Maybe he gave reluctantly.
3. Maybe he gave under compulsion.

2 Cor 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The real problem

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6)

V.5-6 How did God accept Abel’s offering?
•Sacrifices consumed by fire from God (Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1).

V.6 “Why are you angry?” God lovingly confronts the sinner

How do you respond when you're confronted with sin?

V.7 “if you do what is right”

True faith is always accompanied by action.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?...17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

God counsels Cain through His Word and provides a way out
V.8
Where did this act begin? (Gen. 2:16)

Eph 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

V.9 Did God not know where Abel was?

God is providing an opportunity to confess.
V.9 “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Matt 22:37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

V.10 “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

Heb 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

“Judgment, Justice, Revenge!”

V.11-12

Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Forever a wanderer

V.13 An unrepentant man
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

If the burden of your sin is too great for you then bring it to Jesus.

V.15 The mercy of God.

V.16 A sad commentary on Cain’s life

V.17-18 Why these genealogies in the Bible?
•See Luke 3

Who was Cain’s wife?

Sister or neice
•Leviticus 18:9, 18:11, 20:17, and Deuteronomy 27:22

1. Not prohibited until the time of Moses (Leviticus 18:9).
2. “gene pool” was pure

V.19 “two wives” Not condoning but reporting

Original Plan:

Gen 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

V.20-22Growth
Industry
Ranching
Music
Tools

An increase in industry but a decline in morality
V.23-24 Murder and pride

The answer is God through faith in Jesus Christ

V.25-26 Those who call on the LORD and those who trust in themselves.

Close:
1. God had instructed Cain and Abel on how he was to be approached.
•John 14:6

2. The blood of Abel cried out to God for judgment, justice and revenge

Jesus speaks a better word

Heb 12:24 Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.