Feb 19
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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 4
“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.’ And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.’ Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ And the LORD said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, ‘My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.’ Then the LORD said to him, ‘Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.’ And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives: ‘Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.’ And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, ‘God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.’ To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4, ESV)
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 11:1-4
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:1–4, ESV)
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Introduction
Brothers and sisters, we have now come to Genesis chapter 4. We have moved very slowly through the first three chapters of Genesis, and this was deliberate. Genesis chapters 1-3 are very foundational. They are foundational, not only to the book of Genesis, but to the whole of scripture, and to our faith. There in those first three chapters we were introduced to God, to his creation, to man made in his image, to the covenant of works established between God and man, and to the breaking of that covenant with Adam’s fall into sin. It would be difficult to overstate the significance of those three chapters of the Bible. To get those three chapters wrong would make coming to a correct understanding of the rest of scripture very difficult.
As I sat down to study Genesis 4 the thought did occur to me that we could also move slowly through this chapter. Indeed, this chapter is filled with important details. But I have resolved to pick up the pace as we progress through the remainder of the book of Genesis, and so we will consider chapter four in its entirety today.
Let me begin by briefly reminding you of where we are in the book of Genesis. We are still in the first of the ten major sections of the book which began in 2:4 with the words, “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created…” (Genesis 2:4, ESV). Each of the ten sections, as you know, begins with the words, “these are the generations of…”, or something similar, after which the decedents of a particular figure are introduced to us. Here in this first section “the generations of the heavens and earth” are described. And what did the God of heaven form from the earth except Adam and Eve? Something of their history was described to us in Genesis 2:5 through to the end of chapter 3. And here in chapter 4 we are introduced to some of their descendants.
It needs to be recognized from the outset what Genesis 4 is not. Genesis 4 is not a thorough and detailed history of the world. Clearly there was a lot more going on in the world around the people who are highlighted in this brief narrative. Four descendants of Adam and Eve are highlighted in this chapter — Cain, Able, and eventually Seth and Enosh — but the text is clear that many more lived on planet earth in those days. In fact the text is clear that in those days human cultures were growing and developing.
Consider, for example, Cain’s reply to the judgement that God pronounced upon him. In verse 14 Cain relied to God saying, “Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me” (Genesis 4:14, ESV). Because Cain was a murderer he was driven even further from the presence of God and from the garden than his parents had been. And having been alienated from God even further, he was afraid that he would be killed by others (by the way, it is not surprising that a murderer would be afraid of being murdered). The questions is, who were those that Cain was afraid of? The answer is that they were also descendants of Adam and Eve. Perhaps Cain was afraid of them because he thought they would seek to avenge the blood of their brother Able? The point I am making is that the descendants of Adam had grown numerous even in the days of Cain. Were their hundreds or thousands on the earth in the days of Cain? The text does not say. The point is that there were others — probably many others — living upon the earth in the days of Cain and Able, Seth and Enosh.
The genealogy of Cain which is presented to us in verses 17-24 also makes its clear that there was a lot going on in the world surrounding the people who are highlighted in this brief narrative. I will not read the genealogy of Cain in its entirety, for we have already done that. For now simply recognize that there were many people living upon the earth in a relatively short period of time. Cities were built. Cultures were developing.
Why is it important to recognize that Genesis 4 is not a detailed history of the world? It is important to understand what Genesis 4 is not so that we might also understand what it is. Genesis 4 is theological history. It is history selectively retold so as to make a theological point. There were many things happening in the world in the days of Cain and Able, Seth and Enosh. But this particular story was told by Moses under the inspiration of God so that we might understand something of God, man and the plans, purposes and activities of God in this world.
What does Genesis 4 teach us regarding God, man and the plans, purposes and activities of God in this world? Let us consider this story in three parts to find out.
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The Birth, Temptation, Fall and Judgement of Cain
First, let us consider the story of the birth, temptation, fall and judgement of Cain in verses 1-16.
Cain was the firstborn of Adam and Eve. Imagine what that would have been like for them. They had witnessed other species reproduce according to their kinds, no doubt. But it must have been an incredible experience for them to reproduce. God had commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over” the animals (Genesis 1:28) prior to their fall into sin. Evidently this mandate was not suspended entirely because of their sin, for Eve conceived and gave brith to a son. She had now experienced the increased pain of childbirth which came as a result of her sin.
Notice Eve’s remark. After Cain was born she said “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” The name Cain sounds like the word “gotten” in the Hebrew. What did Eve mean when she utter these words. It seems that she was giving thanks to God for Cain. Though she had sinned against God, she was blessed by God with offspring. One should remember the promise that was made to Adam and Eve through the curse pronounced upon the serpent, that one of their descendants would stomp upon the head of the serpent who had deceived them. It is difficult to know what exactly Eve’s expectation were for this particular child. Would he be the one? Perhaps Eve thought so. What is clear is that when Cain was born Eve rejoiced. She gave thanks to God for him and and acknowledged that Cain was born to her by God’s grace and with his help.
In verse 2 we are told of the birth of their second son named Abel. Calvin thinks that Cain and Able were twins given that no mention is made of another conception, but acknowledges that this is only his opinion. Whether or not they were twins, the importing thing to recognize is that Cain is the first born, and Able is second. I mention this knowing that this will become a theme in the book of Genesis — God will consistently show favor to the second born over the first, which is opposite the way of the world. Here we see the principle of election on display. The world chooses the first born over the second, but God chooses the second over the first, the weak over the strong, etc. Able, we are told, was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
In verse 3 we read, “In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell” (Genesis 4:3–5, ESV). Notice a few things about verses 3-5.
One, both Cain and Able both knew that they were to worship God and they did so. This is an amazing thing to consider given what we learned in Genesis 3 concerning Adams sin and the judgement of God that pronounced upon them. Remember that Adam and Eve were driven from the presence of the LORD God. But here we find that their children approached God in worship. They were active in public worship. They knew that they were to bring offerings to the LORD. Where did they learn this? It is possible that God revealed it to them. But I think it is safe to conclude that their parents taught them. The thing to recognize is that by God’s grace there is still a way to approach God in the world, there is still faith in the world, God is still worshipped even after man’s fall into sin.
Two, notice the description of Cain and Able’s offering. ”Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground”, we are told. But Able brought, “of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.” These details will become important in a moment. Cain brought an offering from his produce, but Able brought the very best of his flock to offer up to God. He brought the firstborn and the fat portions.
Three, notice God’s response. “And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.” The question is what was it about Able and his offering that pleased the Lord, and Cain and his offing which displeased the Lord? To answer this question we must take into consideration what this passages says along with the rest of the Old Testament and New.
Some have proposed that God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice because it was a blood sacrifice whereas Cain’s was merely an offering of grain. This interpretation will not do, for the rest of the Pentateuch will make it clear that grain offerings were indeed pleasing to the Lord.
To get to the point, the answer must be that there was a difference in the heart of Cain and Able which made their offering of the one pleasing and the offering of the other displeasing to the Lord. Notice that the text does not say that God received and rejected their offerings, but that God “had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.” It was not what they brought that made the difference, but the condition of the heart of the one who brought it.
The condition of the heart of Cain and Able were displayed in the quality of their offering. As I have already pointed out, Cain brought an offering, whereas Able brought the very best of his flock to offer up to God — he brought the firstborn and the fat portions. It was not the offerings themselves that pleased or displeased God, but the attitude of the men. But their hearts were revealed in the quality of the offering.
The New Testament revelas to us most clearly what it was that distinguished Cain and his offering from Able and his. The difference between the two was that Able approached in faith. Do you catch that when I read from Hebrew 11 earlier? Verse 4 of Hebrews 11 says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4, ESV). Cain was rejected and Able was excepted because Able brought his offering in faith, believing upon the promises of God, whereas able simply went through the motions.
Four, notice Cain’s response to God’s displeasure. “Cain was very angry, and his face fell”, the text says. How did Cain know that God had no regard for his offering? The text does not say. But his reaction is troubling. Instead of feeling conviction which would lead to repentance, Cain became very angry. He began to burn with anger in his heart, and his face or countenance fell.
In verse 6 the LORD speaks to Cain saying, “The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:6–7, ESV). Notice a few things about verses 6-7.
One, God is called by the name LORD. This has been true throughout this passage. And if you understand the significance of the names “LORD” and “God” as they are used in Genesis chapters 1-3, you will understand why this is significant. “LORD” is the translation of the Hebrew word YHWH. The names communicates that God is a covenant making, and covenant keeping God who is near to his people. That God is still called LORD, is remarkable given mans fallen into sin with the breaking of the covenant of works. Though Adam was driven from the presence of the LORD and barred from the garden, God, by his grace, is still near. He is with his people. He is worshipped by them. This is possible only because God has made a New Covenant, namely the Covenant go grace. Clearly this covenant was active in the world in the days of Adam, Cain and Able. It was active by way of promise. What a remarkable thing this is.
Two, notice that the LORD called Cain to repentance, saying, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?”
Three, notice that the LORD warned Cain concerning the danger of giving in to the temptation. And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Verses 1-6 of Genesis 4 reveal a great deal in a short space concerning how life will be for man now that we live east of Eden. Because we are moving quickly through this chapter I cannot tease out all of the insights, but I would plead with you to reflect upon these things. How will things be for us now that we are fallen? God is still with us. We are able to approach him. By his grace he has provided a way. There is true and false worship. The condition of the heart makes the difference. Faith in the promises of God is what distinguishes between those who are accepted by God and those who are not. Men and women will experience temptation. Temptation is to be resisted, etc., etc. Do you see the importance of this little passage which describes to us life outside of Eden — life in a world that is fallen?
Verse 8 describes the sin of Cain. “Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him” (Genesis 4:8, ESV). The Christian would do well to reflect upon this verse. Consider the effect of Adam’s sin. Consider how far we have fallen. Adam ate from the forbidden tree, now one of his sons has murdered his own brother. Truly, in pain Eve brought forth children. Truly, Adam encountered thorns and thistles. Truly, the wages of sin is death.
In verses 9-12 the LORD questions and pronounces judgements upon Cain. I will not linger long here for the sake of time. But do compare and contrast the LORD’s questioning and judgment of Cain with the LORD’s questioning and judgement of Adam and Eve in the previous chapter.
The LORD approached Cain just as he approached Adam and Eve in the garden after they ate of the forbidden tree. The LORD asked Cain a question just as he questioned Adam and Eve. Verse 9: “Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’” It is not as if the LORD didn’t know. He was drawing out a confession from Cain. But notice Cain’s replay. “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). Clearly, Cain’s heart was very hard towards God. Adam and Eve struggled to repent thoroughly when questioned by God, but they did eventually acknowledge their sin. Cain was hard. He lied, saying “I do not know”. And he persisted in his rebellion saying, “I’m I my brothers keeper.” What is the answer to that question, by the way? The answer is yes!
Q. 72. What is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)
Q. 74. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment absolutely forbideth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. (Gen. 4:10,11; 9:6; Matt. 5:21-26)
Q. 73. What is required in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others. (Eph. 5:29,30; Ps. 82:3,4; Prov. 24:11,12; Act 16:28)
Yes Cain, you are your brothers keeper! You are to love your neighbor as yourself! In this you failed.
Compare also the judgements pronounced upon Cain with the judgements pronounced upon Adam. They are similar, but more severe. Because the voice of his brothers blood cried out to God from the ground, Cain was cursed from the ground. The ground would no longer yield its strength as Cain worked it. Cain would be a fugitive and wanderer on the earth. And so can was driven even further from the presence of the LORD. There was a progression, therefore. It is evident that mankind was growing increasingly sinful and increasingly alienated from the presence of the LORD.
Cain complained that the penalty was too severe. One of his fears was that those who found him would kill him. “Then the LORD said to him, ‘Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.’ And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him’ (Genesis 4:15, ESV). Here we see evidence of God’s common grace and of his preserving social order.
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The Genealogy of Cain — The Continuation of The Unrighteous Line
Secondly, let us consider the genealogy of Cain, and the record of the continuation of the unrighteous line, in verses 17-24. I will keep this part very brief.
In vese 17 we read, “Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch” (Genesis 4:17, ESV). After this we find a brief genealogy. “To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives: ‘Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold’” (Genesis 4:18–24, ESV). Notice a three things.
One, notice the emphasis upon city building and the development of culture. Certainly there is nothing inherently wrong with city building and the development of culture, but these things do become evil when they are pursued independent of God. Notice that Cain built a city. This was contrary to the curse pronounced upon him. He was to be a wanderer. He was banished from his family and after wandering for a time he built a city so as to protect himself. But this was not the city of God, for he named the city after his own son, Enoch. And so it is with sinful man. They build, engage in the arts and develop culture, not to the glory of God, but to promote their own name. Certainly this passage anticipates the story of the tower of Babel which we encounter ind Genesis 11. There wicked men said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4, ESV). They built, not to the glory of God, but to promote their own name so that they might live independent of the God of heaven. Cain was the father of this kind ofd activity.
Two, notice that this line of Cain is wicked. They build for the glory of their own name. Lamech took two wive, contrary to God’s design for marriage. And when Lamech killed a man for wounding him he promoted unjust laws of retribution. Instead of and eye for and eye, Lamech declared that any injury done to him would be repaid seventy-sevenfold. Godlessness and wickedness increased upon the earth in the line of Cain. Cities were being built, powerful men were beginning to multiple wive, and unjust laws of retribution were being implemented by these powerful men (kings).
Three, now would be a good time to point out that the murder of Able the righteous by the unrighteous Cain must be interpreted in light of Genesis 3:15 where God spoke to the serpent saying, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15, ESV). The rest of scripture makes it clear that this verse is referring to the presence of a righteous and unrighteous line in the world, the elect and non-elect, the children of God and the children of the evil one. Eventually, one would arise from the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent — he is Christ Jesus our Lord. What we have here in the story of Cain and Able is the beginning of the outworking of this promise. Able had faith. Able belonged to God. Able was of the righteous line. He was of the seed of the woman. Cain was of the serpent. When he murdered his brother being driven by jealousy and anger, he bit at the heal of the seed of the woman. Here in Genesis 4:17-34 we have record of the genealogy of Cain. And more importantly, it is a record of the continuation of the unrighteous, the seed of the serpent, in the world.
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Seth and His Offspring — The Preservation of the Righteous Line
Thirdly, let us consider the birth of Seth and his offspring, and the preservation of the righteous line, in verses 25-26.
Here in verse 25 we find good and happy news. “And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:25–26, ESV). Notice two things.
One, Eve understood that Seth was to replace Able. The name Seth sounds like the Hebrew word for set or place. God granted that Seth would take the place of righteous Able, and thus continue the righteous line. It is important to recognize that the name Seth sounds very much like the word translated as “put” in Genesis 3:15 — “I will put [or set] enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring…” A careful consideration of these things makes it clear that Eve knew what she was doing when she called the child Seth. Able was of her seed given his faith. Cain was of the serpent as demonstrated by his murder of his brother. But God by his mercy and grace gave her Seth to continue the battle that God has set between the offspring of the serpent and the offspring of the woman.
Two, to Seth was born Enosh and at that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD. This cannot mean that people began to worship for the first time in the days of Enosh, for Cain and Able worshiped in their day. It is likely that this means that public worship began in these days after a time of darkness. Cain and his descendants built cities and promoted , not the glory of God, but the glory of man. Wickedness increased upon the earth. But through Seth’s line, and through his son Enosh, public worship was renewed and established in the world.
Here is the interpretation that Calvin provides: “Moses means, that so great was then the deluge of impiety in the world that religion was rapidly hastening to destruction; because it remained only with a few men, and did not flourish in any one race. We may readily conclude that Seth was an upright and faithful servant of God. And after he begat a son, like himself, and had a rightly constituted family, the face of the Church began distinctly to appear, and that worship of God was set up which might continue to posterity. Such a restoration of religion has been effected also in our time; not that it had been altogether extinct; but there was no certainly defined people who called upon God; and, no sincere profession of faith, no uncorrupted religion could anywhere be discovered.”
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Conclusion
Friends, if I had to sum up the meaning of this entire chapter in one sentence I would choose this one: Though we have fallen into sin, and though the world be filled will all manner of evil, God is faithful to preserve his church in the world in Christ Jesus, the promised seed of the woman. Let us take courage in these things and place our hope in him.
