Year 7, Day 4: Genesis 4

Theological Commentary: Click Here

I love talking about Genesis 4. Truth be told, I love talking about the book of Genesis as a whole.  There are so many good stories with lessons we can learn about humanity in general within the book of Genesis.  For example, take Cain and Abel.

I can’t read this passage without remembering a long struggle I had with this chapter.  Why does it seem like God cares for the sacrifice where an animal had to die and doesn’t care for a sacrifice of grain?  Is God a carnivore?  (Of course not.  In fact, the book of Leviticus describes pleasing sacrifices to God that involve grain and animal.)  Does God play favorites?  (No, but he does honor those who choose Him, naturally).  What is going on here has more to do with the motivation of the sacrifice.  Cain gives a sacrifice.  Abel gives a sacrifice of his firstborn in the flock.  Cain is giving any old sacrifice; Abel is giving an honored gift.  The difference is less in what is given and more in how it is given.

Or, take a look and God’s response.  He comes and talk to Cain after he has killed his brother.  God asks Cain a question.  God gives Cain an opportunity to repent and confess.  God knows the answer to the question He asks!  Unfortunately, look at what Cain does.  Cain dances around the question.  He skirts the issue.  Rather than acknowledge his sin, he is trying to get away with it!  Human beings don’t like getting caught.  We don’t like being wrong.  We can’t hide anything from God, but oh do we try.

Third, look at God’s response to Cain’s lack of repentance.  There is judgment.  There are consequences.  But do you see God’s grace?  Cain still goes out and has an opportunity for life.  He has an opportunity to have family and children.  There are consequences, but God doesn’t jump straight to absolute condemnation without giving us multiple chances at life.  He is righteous in His judgment, but He is also gracious.

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