B. Genesis 4:2 – And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
1. Abel - הבל Hebel, breath or vapor or vanity
a. Is this somewhat prophetic in that his life was just a vapor?
b. Declared “righteous” by the Lord in Matthew 23:35
2. Note that the author does not say outright that Cain and Abel are twins it seems probable that they were.
3. No statement from Eve with respect to Abel like with Cain, why?
4. Superfecundation - the fertilization of two or more ova from the same cycle by sperm from separate acts of sexual intercourse. The term is also sometimes used to refer to the instances of two different males fathering fraternal twins, though this is more accurately known as heteropaternal superfecundation. This therefore leads to the possibility of twins also being half-siblings. The term superfecundation is derived from fecund, meaning the ability to produce offspring. http://www.answers.com/topic/superfecundation#ixzz1CQrQ42MB
5. No indication that one occupation is more pleasing to the Lord than the other with respect to shepherding vs. tilling
6. This is the first of several instances (and may be the reason) the firstborn is not the preferred son:
a. Shem v. Japheth
b. Isaac v. Ishmael
c. Jacob v. Esau
d. Joseph v. Reuben
e. Ephraim v. Manasseh
f. Moses v. Aaron
g. David v. Eliab
h. Solomon v. (older brother died as a result of David and Bathsheba’s sin)
7. Why was it necessary for Christ to be a firstborn and considered “holy to the Lord”?
a. Exodus 13:2 – Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children (sons) of Israel
· Children - בן ben (masculine noun) - son, grandson, child, member of a group
b. Numbers 18:15 – Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, [whether it be] of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
c. Luke 2:23 – (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
· Firstborn sons of Israel Israel
II. Cain and Able (Genesis 4:3-7)
A. Genesis 4:3 – And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
1. Ground – the result of the fall was a curse upon the ground, yet Cain is bringing produce from the ground. Man is to eat of the produce of the ground, is it an acceptable sacrifice?
2. Does not specify if these were first fruits, if not demonstrates giving from obligation versus giving out of joy
3. First mention of any type of sacrifice, no mention as being a commandment from God as atonement for sin. Should we assume this was taught to the young men by Adam? Is it the 1st occurrence? Any specifications? Many unanswered questions.
B. Genesis 4:4 – And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
1. Abel clearly brought “the firstlings”, but did God tell Cain or Abel to do this? No indication that He did. Abel bringing the first fruits to God showed his excitement in giving, maybe his line of thinking was “this is the first of my produce I can’t wait to get to the alter and give it to God. This in itself is a demonstration of the faith laid out in Hebrews 11.
a. Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
b. Hebrews 11:4 – By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
c. According to Luther, the mention of the name first is an indicator that the Lord is accepting. Thus the attitude in Abel’s giving was superior to the attitude in Cain’s.
2. Think about little children, you give them paper and crayons and they scribble on the paper and are so proud of it, what is the first thing they want to do with it? They naturally want to bring it to mommy or daddy. Does mommy or daddy ask for it, no, but the child’s joy in giving is just contagious. Maybe having this faith like a child brings a similar joy to the Lord. He wants us to have that childlike joy in bringing our gifts to Him.
a. Mark 10:15 – Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God
· Negative statement (shall not)
b. Luke 18:17 – Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
· Negative statement (shall not)
c. Matthew 18:4 - Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
· Positive statement (shall)
· Humility is a premium
C. Genesis 4:5 – But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
1. Jude 10-11 – But these (filthy dreamers from v. 8) speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core (Korah).
a. The way of cain à ran greedily after the error of Balaam
b. Obligation/religion vs. Faith/love
D. Genesis 4:6 – And the Lord said unto Cain, “Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?
1. Shows God’s compassion, no condemnation of Cain just a question.
2. Scripture doesn’t say that God was angry with Cain or disappointed only that he didn’t respect the sacrifice.
a. Its like siblings bringing their report cards home. Dad might like Johnnie’s report card more than Jack’s even if Jack’s is better, if Johnnie did the best he could and Jack didn’t do what he was capable of doing. Does dad love Jack any less? No, but just wants him to put forth his best.
b. God gives no indication here that He loves Cain any less; He’s just not pleased with what Cain gave.
c. This is not a works based theology, just the fact that you must come before the Father with a cheerful heart and childlike faith to please Him.
E. Genesis 4:7 – If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
- Moffatt – If your heart was honest, you would surely look bright? If you are sullen, sin is lying in wait for you, eager to be at you-yet you ought to master it.
- NASB - If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.
1. Do well à Acceptance à Life
2. Not do well à Sin à Death
3. Sin desires you, you must master…Can we master sin?
III. Cain’s Slaying of Abel (Genesis 4:8)
A. Genesis 4:8 – And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
1. (KJV) Talked – said
a. No indication in Masoratic manuscripts of what was “said”,
b. Translations based on the Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac have some version of “Let us go into the field” following “said”
c. If these manuscripts are correct it provides some evidence that this was a pre-meditated murder vs. manslaughter.
2. Not only the first murder, but the first recorded death of a human being
IV. God’s Questioning of Cain (Genesis 4:9-10)
A. Genesis 4:9 – And the Lord said unto Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?” And he said, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?”
1. Obviously God, being omniscient, knows where Abel is and what happened; the Lord is providing Cain an opportunity to confess his sin.
2. Cain chooses to conceal rather than confess
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