Connecting Scriptures:  Psalm 14, Proverbs 4:23, James 1:14-15, Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 2:6-11, John 8:44, Hebrews 12:24

How long had Cain’s heart burned with jealousy?  

There is much speculation and turmoil over this scripture, and it is understandable.  There is a lot we have to infer and seek out through Gods unchanging character—beyond what is written on the page.  The truth of human nature, and especially in the family outside of Eden, is that sin comes in with a vengeance and devours completely in the heart that does not defend itself (Psalm 14).  What could look like an unfair bias as God chooses Abel’s offering over Cain’s, was really all about Cain’s heart.  One which seems to be filled to the brim with jealousy and pride.  Since God shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11), we know there is a good reason for the rejection and for the guidance that God gives Cain in that warning.  God loved Cain. I believe God would have helped Cain in his struggle with jealousy, if he had run to Him.  This is what God was calling Cain to, a dependance on Him alone.  Cain made a different choice, and deluded himself into thinking he could “rule over” the hatred in his heart by harnessing it.  He should have killed it.  

Sin makes us forget who God is, and in turn, who we are.  We forget the Image that bears out life in us and our purpose gets jumbled.  Cain’s consequences are familiar to Adam’s, but instead of having to fight against the ground to live (a skill he was accomplished in, probably took pride in), now he’d have to find a way to live away from his family and all he’d known.  Interestingly, the killer was afraid of being killed in the wilds.  God mercifully assures him that he would be protected from such a death, but he had to leave God’s presence.  What comes out of his family line are people who are accomplished and inventive.  It seems that they are making a life outside of Cain’s curse of an unfruitful land.  They are also keeping pace with Cain’s tendency to hatred and violence as a solution to their separation from God, as seen in verse 24.  We see Lamech bragging about his murderous actions almost like it’s a badge of honor.  Wickedness only grows in the heart that is far from God. 

Then comes Seth, whose name means “appointed”.  From him we see the thread of hope, first woven by God, to Eve, in the previous chapter.  I wonder if Eve, burdened with losing two sons to hate, thought—was this the promised offspring?  Is this the son appointed for relief?  In a way—yes.  From Seth would come a people who would “call upon the name of the LORD”.  They would cry out, holding onto to the reputation and glory of Yahweh, passing down this hope to each son born. 

Questions for Reflection

1.  What does God mean when he says to Cain “sin is creeping at the door and its desire is to rule over you?”.  Compare it to the language in chapter 3 in God’s curse over Eve.

2.  Do you think the fact that Abel’s sacrifice involved blood was of significants here? The ultimate issue with Cain’s rejection was his heart before God, but was there an element of the pattern for sacrifice that Cain just didn’t get?