Genesis Chapter 4: Cain and Abel
(Deep Dive Chronological & Book-By-Book Journey Through The Bible)
This chapter seems pretty straightforward, but as you read slowly, you will see that a lot happening!
There is so much more to this chapter than one brother killing another. We learn more about God’s character and the far-reaching devastation of sin. But also, we are reminded again that actions aren’t the only thing that matters to God; attitudes matter too!
My favorite verse from this chapter says, Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes, my friend. Yes, we are our brother’s keepers. And they are ours. God gave us the gift of each other. He doesn’t intend for us to do this life alone.
My second favorite verse from this chapter says, then men began to call upon the name of the Lord. Talk about hope and mercy! No matter how dark and evil the world becomes, we can call upon the name of the Lord. He will be there, and He will answer!
Choices, Character, and Consequences
(v1)
And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
This is the first recorded sexual act and its result; the conception and birth of Cain.
When Eve gave birth, she gave God glory as the source of life. Eve may have responded that way because she thought God was fulfilling his promise (one of her offspring would crush Satan) through her new son. Like Eve, we expect God to immediately act upon his promise. Eve had no reason to distrust that God would do as He said. She just didn’t realize God works in His timeline, not ours.
Adam and Eve lived many years but we do not know how many children they had. We learn of three (Cain, Abel, and Seth). We do not know the span of years between these children.
Cross Reference Verse:
Genesis 5:4
Questions To Consider:
This is the first recorded birth of a child. Today, first-time parents are full of concerns and what-ifs. Do you think Adam and Even went through this as well? Knowing the character of God and man, do you think the pregnancy and birth were shocking to Adam and Eve? Or do you think God prepared them in some way?
(v2)
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Adam tended to the animals and farmed the land. Adam’s sons followed in his footsteps. However, they chose one job each, not both.
Abel was a keeper of the animals, a shepherd. He would have been away from home a lot wandering the land with his animals. This provided for clothing and sacrifices for the family members. Today we would probably call him a rancher. At this point in time, we do not have a record of animals used as a source of food. That doesn’t happen until Genesis 9:3.
Cain became a farmer, a tiller of the ground. He would have been closer to home and provided food for the family. Today, many American farmers have a mix of animals and crops.
It’s interesting that secular culture wants us to believe that early man was an ignorant cave dweller who grunted as he hunted for meat and gathered nuts and berries. As usual, that couldn’t be further from the truth of God’s Word.
Cross Reference Verses:
Genesis 1:29, Luke 11:50-51
Questions To Consider:
Did God hold in higher esteem one gifting over another (farming over being a shepherd)? Do you tend to elevate certain gifts?
(v3-4)
And in process of time, it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering (a gift or sacrifice) unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect (to look at, regard, gaze at with interest) unto Abel and to his offering.
In the process of time (not instantly!) they brought offerings to the Lord.
Cain’s offering was the fruit of the ground (food). It would have looked pleasing to the eye.
Abel’s offering was the meat and fat of the firstborn of his flock. To us, this would have been a bloody mess. God sees beyond the obvious.
Both men were following in the path of using their God-given gifts and talents to provide for their families.
God was well pleased with Abel and his offering. Because God sees our inner man, He sees our offerings differently than we see them.
Cross Reference Verses:
Hebrews 11:4, Leviticus 3:16
Questions To Consider:
Where did they learn to give an offering? We don’t know how Cain and Abel learned about sacrifices (offerings). We assume Adam taught them as God taught him. Do you think an offering from back then is the same (spiritually) as an offering given today? Do you think they were more intense or better because they were blood sacrifices? If you don’t think so, what do you think changed?
Where did they go to offer their sacrifices unto the Lord? Many commentators say they took their offerings to the tree of life in the middle of the Garden. Do you think that was possible with the Cheribum guarding the gate? Why would God evict Adam and Eve from the garden but allow them to come and go at will?
At least in appearance, both men honored God. As you go about your day, are you doing things unto God because you believe and trust Him? Or are you doing things because it makes you look good in the eyes of others? Is it from the heart or from obligation? Abel gave the Lord the meat and fat of his flock. Leviticus calls this offering a sweet aroma to the Lord. Is your sacrifice a sweet aroma to the Lord?
(v5)
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth (angry, enraged), and his countenance (appearance, attitude) fell.
God did not respect (look favorably towards) Cain or his offering. It’s often said this is because Abel provided a blood offering of the firstborn, whereas Cain offered a food offering that was not the first fruits. But Leviticus says both were acceptable to the Lord. To find out why one was accepted and one was not, we look to Hebrews.
“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.” (Hebrews 11:4)
It was because of Abel’s faith in God that he (and his offering) were accepted. It didn’t necessarily have anything to do with what they sacrificed but their heart condition. We can outwardly do everything right while our heart is far from God. When that happens, he does not respect us or the offering of our time.
Cain didn’t like being rejected. He became so upset that his attitude changed his entire appearance. There is no way to hide that level of anger, but it wouldn’t matter if he tried. God would still see and know.
Just because someone has godly parents doesn't mean they won’t make decisions that negatively impact themselves and others.
We don’t know if Cain and Abel’s sacrifices happened at the same time or years, months, or days apart.
Cross Reference Verses:
Leviticus 2:10, Proverbs 21:27, 1 John 3:11-12
Questions To Consider:
How did Cain and Abel know their offerings were accepted or rejected? Many commentaries state that Cain was jealous of Abel’s acceptance. How would he have known the outcome of Abel’s offering? We assume their parents and siblings offered sacrifices. Why didn’t Cain become jealous of their offerings? Why did he turn his anger on Abel?
God blesses each of us with gifts and talents. What we do with them is up to us. However, God reserves the right to evaluate our motives and efforts. The last time you gave of your time, possessions, or talents, did you do it putting forth your best, or was it half-hearted? Were your motives pure or rooted in pride? Was it a way to get what you wanted, or was it done with a sincere desire to bless?
God Confronts Cain:
(v6)
And the Lord said unto Cain, “Why art thou wroth and why is thy countenance fallen?
Just as God confronted Satan, Adam, and Eve in the garden, He confronts Cain. God corrects those He loves. He doesn’t avoid the uncomfortable or unsettling to spare our feelings.
Outwardly, Cain did the “right” thing. We learned from Leviticus that both types of offerings were accepted unto the Lord. But look at what God calls him on, his out-of-control emotions that are reflected in his attitude. Cain had become downcast (depressed). God DID NOT get on Cain for his sacrifice! Cain went through the motions, but his heart was far from the Lord. This is an empty religious act (hypocrisy).
God doesn’t want our emotions to gain control of us. It is a blessing when God confronts us about our out-of-control emotions. There could not be a better time/place to conquer emotion than with God RIGHT THERE by your side! Talk about mercy (unmerited favor)!
God was trying to take Cain beyond his emotions. With grace and compassion, God asked Cain a rhetorical question giving him a chance to confront and confess his wrong thinking. God does the same with us today. He doesn’t want to force a confession out of us. He wants us to run to Him and openly admit what we have done wrong.
(v7)
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth (to lurk or crouch on all fours like an animal) at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire (longing, craving), and thou shalt rule over him.”
Look at the word “if”. It starts a conditional statement meaning that IF one thing happens then it puts another thing into motion. It’s not an optional thing meaning it might happen. The word “if” tells us when these set of conditions are met, the outcome is guaranteed.
Sin is always right there waiting for us. It’s like Jesus stands in the doorway between us and sin. If we make the wrong decision, He steps aside, and sin comes through to enslave and devour us. Jesus doesn’t want that for us. He wants to be our Defender, our Advocate, and our Deliverer. When we choose to turn to Jesus and away from sin, He allows us to lean on him and move past the temptation.
With the way “if you do well won’t you be accepted?” is phrased, I believe this was not the first sacrifice they participated in. It seems God was reminding Cain of something he knew but was reluctant to admit. Sometimes when we are in the moment, it seems easier to ignore God’s truth in favor of our version of the truth. God doesn’t let us get away with it.
God is encouraging Cain to try again with a right heart and mindset. He is showing that He is a God of encouragement, second chances, and patience.
Cain must do well by God’s standards. That may seem like a no-brainer, but we often make up our own standards to justify the outcome we want.
God gives Cain a final word of wisdom: sin eagerly desires to pounce and overwhelm you, but you must master (subdue/control) it. And we must too. We are given the same wisdom. Sin isn’t a small inconsequential thing we can play with. It’s serious, and always has repercussions we won’t like (but could have avoided). Sin immediately overtakes us, and we become a slave to that sin.
There is no reason to believe this is the only time God spoke to Cain or Abel.
Did Cain appreciate and submit to God’s encouragement and direction? Not even a little.
Cross Reference Verses:
Isaiah 29:13, Luke 22:31, John 8:34, Ephesians 4:27 (AMP), Hebrews 12:6
Questions To Consider:
Think about how Adam and Eve responded when God confronted them compared with how Cain responded. Is there a significant difference? When the Holy Spirit last confronted you about sin in your life, did your response resembles that of Adam and Eve or Cain?
(v8)
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 (murdered) him.
This is the first sin recorded outside the garden of Eden.
It was when Cain was in his comfort zone (out in the fields) and away from voices that could have talked him down (his parents) that he attacked and killed his brother. Satan loves to separate us from those who can stand in the gap for us. He also knows that being in a place of comfort and familiarity often lends us a false sense of security and power.
Did God Really Say?
In the book of Genesis, there are so many assumptions being (authoritatively) spoken, especially in this chapter. Here are a few:
1. Cain went up to Abel and manipulated him into leaving his post (shirking his responsibility) as a shepherd to go out into the field together. The Bible doesn’t say that. It says they talked. We don’t know what they talked about. Perhaps the Bible is showing us that they were close and talked regularly. Talking indicates a relationship.
2. Cain and Abel were bitter rivals. Where does it say that in Scripture? It doesn’t say Cain spoke with Abel in a hostile, threatening manner or that he tricked or forced Abel into going into the field with him.
3. Cain was so jealous of Abel that it was eating him up inside. The Bible does not say that either. It is possible that Cain was jealous of all his brothers and sisters (and his parents) and simply took an opportunity to act on his anger when it presented itself.
From Eve we learned how Satan slyly slithers in to manipulate our thinking when we choose to linger where our thoughts should not be. Satan loves to take advantage of our every weakness.
4. Cain carefully planned out his brother’s murder. Another assumption. We don’t know if Cain already had thoughts of murdering Abel or if the murder was in the heat of the moment.
Cross Reference Verses:
Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:50-51
Questions To Consider:
Jesus says that Abel was a prophet. But the Bible doesn’t record Abel relaying God’s words to others. What does Scripture say made him a prophet?
Many Christian parents believe Proverbs 22:6 is a promise from God that if we train our children in God’s ways, they will not depart from Him. Do you believe this to be true? Do you think Eve taught her children about walking and talking with the Lord and the consequences of sin? How does that explain the direction Cain took?
God Confronts Cain A Second Time:
(v9)
And the Lord said unto Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?” And he said, “I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?”
Again, God point-blank confronts Cain with a question He already knew the answer to. He is giving Cain another opportunity to fully consider his actions, confess, and repent.
God reminds Cain that Abel wasn’t just a nameless stranger. Abel was his brother. Another way to look at this is that Aam and Eve surely had other sons. In light of that, God was specifically naming which brother.
When God set the world in motion, He commanded each bit of creation to reproduce after its own kind. Even sin obeys. Sin always reproduces sin. It never stands alone and never affects just the sinner.
Instead of responding in sorrow or repentance, Cain reacts belligerently by lying and then asking a question of his own.
Questions To Consider:
How do you practically walk out being your brother’s (or sister’s) keeper? Do you feel being your brother and sister’s keeper is intrusive and unwanted? Do you put off that vibe when other Christians try to look out for you?
We make sacrifices today. You may sacrifice time with your children to receive a paycheck. And that is fine, but where is your heart? Are you doing it in faith that God will work all things out for good, or are you doing it to get a break from your kids?
What if your husband has asked you to quit your job and stay home with the kids? It would be a sacrifice, and you’ve made sure he knows you are not happy about it. But you eventually agree. Again, where is your heart in the matter? Where is your faith?
Are you reacting like Cain with anger and resentment below the surface even though you are going through the motions of obedience? Or are you reacting in faith and obedience like Abel? We all have sacrifices we make in our daily lives. It’s key to remember that our heart condition matters more than empty sacrifices.
CAIN’S Judgments & Curses:
(v10-12)
And He said, “What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond (to wander aimlessly) shalt thou be in the earth.”
Notice God doesn’t ask Cain what Abel did to make Cain so hateful. He asked Cain what Cain did. We have to give an account of our behavior, not what others have done.
If we aren’t diligent, we can get in a snit and find ourselves acting in the ungodly way of Cain.
God says that Abel’s blood is crying out from the ground; not his soul or spirit but his very lifeblood. Abel’s blood cried out for justice. Jesus’ blood speaks of something better; forgiveness and reconciliation. God Almighty is the only one who can provide proper justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
God goes on to tell Cain the dire consequences of his actions. Cain was cursed. Not punished like Adam and Eve but cursed like Satan. God didn’t curse Cain because He didn’t like him. He cursed him because He values human life and justice.
Part of Cain’s curse was that Adam’s punishment (Genesis 3:17-19) would be amplified through Cain. Harvesting food was hard for Adam but not impossible. But now it would be hard and fruitless for Cain. Perhaps this is what “caused” him to travel from place to place.
Cain’s punishment:
1. He was now under a curse.
2. He would still have to work the land as a farmer to produce food but his efforts would be without success.
3. Cain would become a restless wanderer (fugitive and vagabond) moving from place to place trying to produce food as he had in the past. However, life as he knew it would never be the same.
Again, Adam was not cursed but the ground was. Cain was cursed and so was the fruit of the ground he attempted to keep and maintain.
Cross Reference Verses:
Numbers 35:30-34, Hebrews 12:24, the book of Jude (which reveals ungodly character traits)
Questions To Consider:
We all struggle and wonder what our purpose on earth is. What about Abel’s purpose? Why did God allow Cain to kill Abel? Was it for the “greater good” (a lesson for all who came after them)? Was it because God knew the exact type of person Abel’s little family needed at that time? Can you think of another possible reason? Does your answer reflect God’s character and our purpose on earth?
Do you think Cain’s mind was so confused and twisted that he was trying to offer the ultimate sacrifice (this being his brother) just as Abel offered animal sacrifices and was acceptable unto the Lord? Our nature seems to be to overcompensate and go to extremes unnecessarily.
God is testifying to the righteousness of Abel and his faithfulness. How is your faith? Is it such that God will testify of it one day?
(v13-14)
And Cain said unto the Lord, “My punishment (iniquity, sin, perversity, depravity) is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven(to expel, put or pushed away, thrust out) me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.”
Notice Cain’s reaction. He wasn’t remorseful for his actions but self-centered. He didn’t ask for forgiveness. He didn’t own up to being unjust in his treatment of Abel. In his self-pity, he is saying that God is the one being unfair.
I’ve read lots of commentaries saying that God drove Cain out of his presence. But I don’t read that. I see where Cain accuses God of driving him out, but we don’t see God saying that was part of his punishment. Once again, Cain is unjustly blaming someone else.
When Cain chose to move on, he was fulfilling what God had prophesied over him of finding no resting place on earth.
Like Cain, we are great at justifying (excusing) our sin and determining our punishment to be too harsh and unfair. However, when we point out the failings of someone else, we tend to think their punishment isn’t harsh enough. Often, like Cain, we complain about it to anyone who will listen..
Cain worries that because he won’t be able to grow his food any longer, he will have to travel from place to place and somehow get food from others. If you live in an area that has many small communities, you are probably aware that word of your deeds (good or bad) travels fast. Cain was worried someone would target him and retaliate.
Cross Reference Verses:
Psalm 51:11, Isaiah 1:15, Numbers 35:19-21
Question To Consider:
Is Cain so deep into self-pity that he thinks strangers he crosses paths with during his wandering about will be able to tell what he has done and long to kill him? Do you think he threw that out there hoping God would relent and feel sorry for him? Or do you think he had a justifiable worry?
Have you ever felt that a situation you were going through was too great to bear? How did you get through it?
(v15)
And the Lord said unto him, “Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark (a sign, a distinguishing mark) upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Even in Cain’s sin, God is so compassionate that He consoles Cain. Offering his protection, the Lord promises Cain that if someone should kill him, God would bring retribution on them worse than they did to Cain ( 7 x7).
We assume the mark God put upon Cain was obvious to anyone who looked at him. I’ve heard it was a sort of “port-wine” mark, but we aren’t told, so no one really knows.
This incident and the consequences were well known (at least in Cain’s family) because generations later, Lamech references it.
Cross Reference Verses:
Exodus 21:13, Ezekiel 9:4-6
Questions To Consider:
Could this be a similar mark as what is found in Revelation 13 (the mark of the beast)? Why do you believe this to be so?
(v16)
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod (wandering, flight, exile), on the east of Eden.
It still doesn’t say that Cain walked away from God.
The land of Nod was a region, an area. In the next verse, we find that Cain builds a city here.
Study Tips:
The east is brought up throughout the Bible. To get you started, supposedly the east represents the world (flesh) and the west represents holiness (spirit). An additional study could be deeper research into the significance of the west.
Certain numbers in the Bible are said to have significant (spiritual) meanings. For example, the number 7 is said to signify completeness. Do a topical word study on the number 7. Do you agree that numbers are significant in the Bible or do you think it is our human minds wanting to discover something special that isn’t really there?
Cain’s Starts Over:
(v17)
And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived, and bare Enoch (dedicated): and he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
When I first read this chapter, I was confused because God is telling Cain what his future looks like; he would continue the life he has known by attempting to farm but failing at it, so he would become a wanderer finding no place to settle for long.
However, this verse says he stayed long enough to build a city. Since that couldn’t happen overnight, I thought the Bible was contradicting itself.
But looking closer, it doesn’t say how long Cain stayed nor did God forbid him from staying more than so many days (or months or years) in any one place. So, I would say Cain stopped long enough to establish a city that he named for his son before moving on again. I was making this harder than it needed to be.
It says Cain build a city. It doesn’t say he did it with God’s help or blessing but that he did it himself.
More than likely, Cain’s wife was his sister or another close relative because the population of the earth was so small at the time. Even as far down the line as Abraham, the population was still growing, but Abraham married his half-sister. It was not until Moses’ time that this practice was banned.
Cross References:
Genesis 5:4, Genesis 20:12, Leviticus 18:9
Questions To Consider:
Do you suppose Cain was already married when he killed Abel? Do you think he married his wife with their family present before moving away to the land of Nod? If you were in Cain’s bride’s shoes, would you have wanted to get married in front of your family? Although it does not truly matter, it is interesting to think of these things and allow ourselves to see these long-gone people as real and more than mere names on a page.
Cain’s Descendents:
I have heard for as long as I can remember that Cain’s line was cursed because of his sin. They said it was a generational curse, and his line was responsible for the sinful, wicked world that led to the flood during Noah’s time. I couldn’t find biblical evidence of this. As such, I believe this to be another false suggestion. I do not believe one person (or one family line) is all good and one is all bad. We are all capable of both good and bad.
We do not have a record of Cain’s death. We don’t know how old he was or how he died. However, we have to keep in mind that God put his hand of protection on Cain, so it is possible Cain died of old age.
(v18)
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
IRAD: Grandson of Cain, great-grandson of Adam
MEHUJAEL: Great-grandson of Cain. Great, great-grandson of Adam
METHUSAEL: Great, great-grandson of Cain. Great x3 of Adam
LAMECH: Cain’s Great-grandson x3 and Adam’s x4.
Lamech:
As wonderful and powerful as Lamech thought he was, after chapter 4 we don’t hear about him again.
In case you have studied ahead, you might recall that Lamech is indeed mentioned in Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles, and Luke. Although both these men share the same name, they are not the same person. This Lamech (from Genesis chapter 4) is from the line of Cain. The Lamech we learn about in Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles, and Luke is from the line of Seth.
(v19)
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah ( ornament) and the name of the other Zillah (shade or shadow).
God’s ideal for marriage was one man and one woman. Lamech was the first polygamist. It wasn’t until Leviticus that polygamy was banned.
Adam died at 930 years old when Lamech was in his mid-fifties. After Cain’s death, this line became openly rebellious against God.
Lamech, more than any other descendent, followed in Cain’s footsteps regarding his attitude, fruits, and where he put his faith (in himself).
Cross Reference:
Genesis 2:24, Genesis 29:28, Deuteronomy 32:35, 1 Samuel 1:2
(v20)
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
It appears Cain’s children were given names associated with their talents. Everyone’s gifts and talents would have been used for the benefit of the clan.
Jabal tended the animals like his deceased uncle Abel. Because of his talents and gifts, it would have been Jabal’s responsibility to provide dwelling places (tents) and animals (for work and sacrifice) for his family (clan).
Cross Reference & Question To Consider:
Read Exodus 35:30-36:2. People think spiritual gifts aren’t mentioned in the Old Testament but here are two clear examples of the Lord specifically gifting someone to do something for His glory.
Interestingly, craftsmanship-type of gifts are not mentioned in the New Testament under spiritual gifts. Do you think that means they are no longer valid gifts? Do you think there are other gifts in the Bible not mentioned in the New Testament? Would they still apply today? Why is that?
(v21)
And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
That verse was the King James version. Needing further clarity, I looked at this verse in the NIV. “His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.”
It’s confusing but Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-Cain’s names are all a form of the Hebrew verb meaning to bring, carry, and lead (notice the emphasis is on activity or movement).
(v22)
And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer (a metal craftsman) in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
According to my NIV Study Bible, the tools Tubal-Cain created for his clan were used for agriculture, construction, and weapons.
Cross References:
1 Samuel 13:19
(v23-24)
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
‘One day Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; listen to me, you wives of Lamech. I have killed a man who attacked me, a young man who wounded me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” ‘(NIV)
I’ve read this was considered the first recorded poem. I’m not very good at recognizing things like that but what I do know is that it shows Lamech’s vindictive anger and unforgiving attitude. He is bragging about his vicious retaliation when he was hurt in some way and again when he was hit. Lamech doesn’t say it was self-defense.
Lamech may have been embellishing his power and authority. We have no reason to question Lamech’s account. But, like most things, we have no idea when these two incidents actually happened.
Lamech was telling his wives that he was greater than Cain; more important, able to defend himself without God’s help. Basically, he was saying that he alone was in charge of his life. This is what Satan did when he elevated himself over everyone else, including God.
If someone hurts us (physically or otherwise), it is God’s prerogative as the giver of life to avenge us. He seeks justice as He sees fit, not at our bidding. It is not up to us to seek justice in any way.
Cross References:
Deuteronomy 32:35, Matthew 18:21-22, Romans 12:19
Questions to Consider:
In addition to anger and violence, this speaks of pride and arrogance just as his ancestor Cain struggled with. Think of a time in your life when you were bragging about yourself. Now imagine if God chose to put your very words into His Bible as an example of all who come after you. I’m not saying there will ever be an addition to the Bible. That is God’s prerogative. I just want you to realize that with every word we speak, God is listening and we will give an account.
(v25)
And Adam knew his wife again, and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Seth was NOT God’s plan B because Cain killed Abel. God is all-knowing. Even Satan trying to end the human race by influencing Cain didn’t take God by surprise.
Through Seth God continued the Messianic line (meaning that is the line Jesus would come from).
Questions to consider:
Do you think Seth knew he was a replacement for his slain brother? Do you think it would have been hard to grow up knowing such a thing or do you think it would have brought peace and joy to your parents?
Do you realize that because we are not Jewish some consider us to be God’s plan B?
(v26)
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enoch (meaning human): then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
This verse reads differently in other translations. Consider checking them out!
This verse struck me as beautiful but odd. Since the time of Adam, men had talked with God, and He with them. The first thing I noticed is that it says men (plural not singular).
As I researched the possible meaning of this verse, I kept finding interpretations indicating “calling on the name of the Lord” means communal worship of God. I do not know if that is factual but it is the only reference/interpretation I have found so far. Either way, it gives us blessed hope that we can have a relationship with the Lord, despite all the ungodliness around us.
Cross References:
Genesis 12:8, Genesis 26:25, Romans 10:13
What I Am Learning About God’s Character:
God lovingly confronts our sin. Nothing gets by Him so nothing should be excused by us. He is a generous God who gives us second chances by allowing us to change our ways and get in line with His will and ways. Although God corrects and disciplines, he also encourages and spells out exactly what is expected of us and the consequences of our disobedience. His patience for us is humbling and overwhelming (in a good way).
The Big Idea I Learned From This Chapter:
We all have gifts and talents that others might be jealous of. Not everyone is going to welcome my walk with the Lord. Their issues do not change who Jesus is. Nor should it stop me from doing what I know I am created to do (or be).
We all mess up. When I do, God will call me on it. I have a choice to make to turn toward Him or turn further toward my sin. Whatever I choose, it will have far-reaching effects not only on me but on those who come after me.
