Genesis 4:1-26

After Adam and Eve sinned, they were removed from the garden of Eden so that their lives would not be sustained forever by eating from the tree of life (3:22-24).  They would now be exposed to pain, suffering, and death as a result of their disobedience; however, God promised that He would send a Deliverer to save them from the penalty of sin (3:15).  The story of God sending a Savior to deliver people from sin is the one story of the Bible.  Every page of Scripture points to the redemption of mankind through this Promised One.

Adam and Eve conceived two sons, Cain and Abel (4:1-2).  Some believe that they were twins since there is no apparent time lapse between Genesis 4:1 and Genesis 4:2.  Abel eventually became a shepherd and Cain was a farmer (4:2b).  Moses focuses on an event in their lives which describes their relationship with each other as well as their relationship with God.  Cain brings an offering of fruit to the Lord (4:3), but Abel brings his best animal to offer to the Lord (4:4).  Although the reader is not provided much detail, the Lord accepts Abel’s offering but rejects Cain’s (4:5).  It must be assumed that Abel brought an offering in obedience to God’s prescribed commands while Cain simply brought things according to his own will.  Cain became angry at God, who reminded him that his offering would have been acceptable if it would have been offered in obedience (4:6-7).  Scripture does not record a response from Cain, but it does reveal that Cain became so angry that he murdered his brother, Abel (4:8).  God confronts Cain regarding the murder of his brother, but he acted as if he did not know what had happened to Abel (4:9-10).  God knew the truth, so He cursed the ground Cain would till (4:11-12a) and revealed that he would be a lifelong fugitive (4:12b).  Cain was overwhelmed by God’s punishment upon his life (4:13-15) and begged Him to spare his life from those who would try to murder him (4:14), so God promised to protect him from murderers (4:15).  Cain leaves the presence of God (4:16) and Moses documents his descendants (4:17-24).

In the midst of this chaos, Adam and Eve conceived another child whom they named Seth (4:25a).  Since Cain was now removed from the family blessing and Abel was dead, Seth became Eve’s hope as the one who would bring forth the deliverer (4:25b).  According to Luke 3:38, the line of Seth eventually brought forth this deliverer, Jesus Christ.  God always keeps His promises, even when circumstances seem to be out of His control.  Seth established a godly line and “men began to call on the name of the Lord” (4:26).  This is the first place in Scripture where men begin to realize their sinfulness and call out to God for help.  In order to receive God’s mercy, all mankind needs to acknowledge their sinfulness and look to God for forgiveness.  Without faith in Him, there is no hope.

Dear God, I am a sinful man in need of Your mercy.