The Way Of Cain (Genesis 4:1-15)
Rev. William L. Barron, September 17, 2017Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
This passage begins with the optimism of childbirth; that this infant-man could possibly be the seed of the woman that would remove the fall. Cain and Abel had different vocations, but both were noble. Both of their sacrifices were proper. What was wrong with Cain. The Book of Jude says that the way of Cain was that he was following the evil one. In the midst of judgment, God offers Cain grace (vs. 7). He and we must rule over sin. We cannot pass the buck, as Adam, Eve and Cain tried to do. As we read in the Book of James, our desire, if left unchecked, will lead us into sin. God's grace is sufficient to purify us if we believe, trust and obey.
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Genesis 4:1–15 (Listen)
4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.
(ESV)